Legal Definitions - legal force

Legal force refers to the binding authority and enforceability of a law, contract, court order, or other legal instrument. When something possesses legal force, it means it is recognized and upheld by the legal system, and non-compliance can result in specific legal consequences or remedies.

Here are some examples illustrating the concept of legal force:

• Example 1: A Newly Enacted Statute

  A city council passes a new ordinance requiring all commercial buildings to install energy-efficient lighting by a certain date. This ordinance, once properly enacted, carries legal force.

  This illustrates legal force because the ordinance is now a binding rule that property owners must follow. Failure to comply could lead to fines, penalties, or other enforcement actions by the city, demonstrating its enforceability through the legal system.

• Example 2: A Binding Arbitration Award

  After a dispute between a landlord and a tenant over property damages, they agree to binding arbitration. The arbitrator issues a decision ordering the tenant to pay a specific amount for repairs.

  This arbitration award has legal force because, by agreeing to binding arbitration, both parties committed to accepting the arbitrator's decision as final and enforceable. If the tenant refuses to pay, the landlord can petition a court to confirm the award, turning it into a court judgment that can then be legally enforced.

• Example 3: A Validly Executed Will

  An individual creates a will, properly signed and witnessed according to state law, outlining how their assets should be distributed after their death.

  This will possesses legal force because it is a legally recognized document that dictates the disposition of property. Upon the individual's death, the probate court will ensure that the assets are distributed according to the will's terms, overriding any informal agreements or desires not expressed within the legally binding document.