Legal Definitions - minutio

Minutio refers to a reduction, lessening, or diminution of something, particularly in a legal context, such as rights, status, or capacity.

• Example 1: Reduction of Property Rights

  Imagine a homeowner who grants a utility company an easement across their backyard to install and maintain power lines. While the homeowner still owns the land, the easement means they cannot build structures or plant tall trees in that specific area, and the utility company has the right to access it for maintenance.

  This situation illustrates minutio because the homeowner's full property rights over that portion of their land have been lessened or reduced by the utility company's legal right to use it. Their absolute control and enjoyment of that specific area are diminished.

• Example 2: Lessening of Corporate Authority

  Consider a company where the board of directors decides to amend the corporate bylaws. The amendment states that the CEO, who previously had unilateral authority to approve contracts up to $1 million, now requires board approval for any contract exceeding $500,000.

  This change represents a minutio of the CEO's executive authority. Their power to independently enter into significant financial agreements has been reduced, requiring additional oversight and approval from the board.

• Example 3: Diminution of Professional Privileges

  Suppose a licensed professional, such as an architect, is found by their state licensing board to have committed a minor professional misconduct. As a consequence, the board places them on probation for six months, during which they are prohibited from taking on new projects involving public buildings.

  This probationary period and the associated restrictions constitute a minutio of the architect's professional privileges. Their full, unrestricted capacity to practice their profession has been temporarily lessened or curtailed due to the disciplinary action.