Connection lost
Server error
It's every lawyer's dream to help shape the law, not just react to it.
✨ Enjoy an ad-free experience with LSD+
Legal Definitions - legitimation
Definition of legitimation
Legitimation refers to the act of making something lawful, valid, or officially recognized by law. It can also specifically describe the legal process of establishing a child's legal parentage, particularly when the parents were not married at the time of the child's birth.
Example 1: Legalizing a New Business Model
A city council, after much debate, passes a new ordinance that formally permits and regulates the operation of short-term rental properties (like those offered through online platforms) within residential zones. Previously, these rentals existed in a legal gray area, often operating without explicit permission.
This new ordinance serves to legitimize short-term rentals, transforming them from an unregulated activity into a lawful and recognized business practice within the city's legal framework.
Example 2: Establishing Paternity for a Child
Sarah and Mark have a child together, but they are not married. Mark wants to ensure he has full legal rights and responsibilities as the child's father. He goes through the legal process of acknowledging paternity, which might involve signing official documents or obtaining a court order.
Through this legal process, Mark's paternity is legitimized, formally establishing his legal relationship with the child and granting him parental rights and obligations, such as custody, visitation, and child support, even though he and Sarah were never married.
Example 3: Official Recognition of a Professional Standard
A newly formed professional organization for data scientists develops a comprehensive certification program to standardize skills and knowledge in the rapidly evolving field. After several years, this certification is officially recognized by major industry employers and government agencies as a benchmark for professional competence.
The widespread acceptance and official recognition by key stakeholders effectively legitimizes the certification program, making it a valid and respected credential within the data science profession.
Simple Definition
Legitimation is the act of making something lawful or providing authorization. More specifically in law, it refers to the formal process of declaring a person legitimate, most commonly a child born to unmarried parents, thereby granting them the same legal status and rights as a child born within marriage.