Legal Definitions - obligate

To obligate means to create a binding duty or requirement, either legally or morally. It can also refer to the act of committing specific resources, such as funds or property, to ensure that a duty or commitment can be fulfilled.

• Example 1: A homeowner signs a contract with a landscaping company to redesign their garden. By signing the contract, the homeowner is obligated to pay the agreed-upon fee once the work is completed, and the landscaping company is obligated to perform the services as specified.

  Explanation: This illustrates how a legal agreement, like a contract, creates mutual duties. Both parties are bound by their commitments within the contract.

• Example 2: A university department receives a large research grant and, in turn, obligates a portion of those funds to cover the salaries of research assistants and the purchase of specialized equipment for the project.

  Explanation: Here, "obligate" refers to the act of formally setting aside or earmarking specific financial resources (the grant money) to meet particular expenses or commitments related to the research project.

• Example 3: A new city ordinance is passed that obligates all commercial buildings to install energy-efficient lighting by a certain date.

  Explanation: In this scenario, the city ordinance creates a legal duty for commercial building owners. They are legally bound to comply with the requirement to upgrade their lighting systems.