Legal Definitions - operational

Operational describes something that is actively working, ready for use, or functioning according to its intended purpose. In a legal or administrative setting, it can also refer to duties or actions that involve simply carrying out established rules or procedures without requiring independent judgment or policy decisions.

• Example 1 (General Functioning): After months of construction and safety inspections, the new public library branch was declared operational, opening its doors to patrons and offering a full range of services, including book lending, computer access, and community programs.

  Explanation: This illustrates the general meaning of "operational," indicating that the library was fully functional, ready to be used, and actively engaged in its intended purpose.

• Example 2 (Legal/Administrative Duty): A city clerk's responsibility to record a property deed once all legal requirements for its submission are met is considered an operational or "ministerial" duty.

  Explanation: Here, "operational" highlights the legal context where the clerk has no discretion to refuse recording the deed if all procedural rules are followed; their action is simply to carry out an established administrative task.

• Example 3 (Readiness and Active Use): Following a system upgrade, the hospital's new electronic health record system became fully operational, allowing doctors and nurses to access patient information seamlessly and efficiently across all departments.

  Explanation: This example demonstrates that the system was not only ready for use but also actively engaged in its function, supporting the hospital's daily operations effectively.