Legal Definitions - individual

The term individual refers to something that is distinct, separate, and singular, rather than being part of a larger group or collective. It emphasizes the unique nature of a single person, item, or entity.

• Example 1: Personal Responsibility

  Imagine a situation where a group of friends attends a concert, and afterward, a small amount of property damage occurs. While the group was present, law enforcement would seek to identify the individual person or persons directly responsible for causing the damage, rather than holding the entire group equally accountable without specific evidence.

  This example illustrates "individual" by highlighting that even within a group, accountability often focuses on the specific, singular person who performed an action, distinguishing them from others present.

• Example 2: Unique Contract Terms

  When a large corporation hires many employees, there might be a standard employment agreement. However, for a senior executive, there might be an individual employment contract with specific, unique terms regarding salary, bonuses, and stock options that apply only to that particular person and differ from the standard agreements.

  Here, "individual" emphasizes that despite general company policies, a specific contract can be tailored to a single person, making their agreement distinct and separate from those of other employees.

• Example 3: Distinct Pieces of Evidence

  In a criminal investigation involving a robbery, police might collect various items from the scene, such as fingerprints, a dropped wallet, and security camera footage. Each of these is considered an individual piece of evidence, analyzed separately for its unique contribution to understanding the crime, even though they all relate to the same incident.

  This example demonstrates "individual" by showing how distinct items, even when part of a larger collection or case, are treated as separate and unique entities for analysis.