Legal Definitions - Mandatory

In legal terms, mandatory refers to something that is absolutely required, obligatory, or legally compelled. If something is mandatory, it means there is no option or discretion; it must be done or followed.

Here are some examples illustrating the concept of "mandatory" in different legal contexts:

• Workplace Safety Regulations: Imagine a federal regulation that states, "All construction companies operating at heights above six feet must provide and ensure the use of safety harnesses for their workers."

  This regulation makes the provision and use of safety harnesses mandatory. It's not optional for the construction companies or their workers; they are legally required to comply to ensure worker safety and avoid penalties.

• Court-Ordered Programs: Consider a situation where a family court judge orders a parent involved in a custody dispute to attend a "mandatory parenting skills workshop."

  In this case, attending the workshop is mandatory because it is a direct order from the court. The parent has no choice but to complete the workshop as a condition set by the judge, and failure to do so could have legal consequences.

• Contractual Obligations: Suppose a software development contract includes a clause stating, "The vendor shall provide weekly progress reports to the client."

  This clause makes the submission of weekly progress reports mandatory for the vendor. It's a non-negotiable term of the contract, meaning the vendor is legally obligated to provide these reports as part of their agreement with the client.