Legal Definitions - ordonnance

An ordonnance is a legal term with two primary meanings:

• First, it refers to a specific law, decree, or regulation issued by a governmental or administrative authority, often carrying the force of law.
• Second, it can denote a comprehensive compilation or codification of laws on a particular subject, bringing together various statutes and rules into a single, organized body.

Here are some examples to illustrate the use of the term:

• Example 1 (Specific Law/Decree):

  A city council in a European municipality might issue an ordonnance prohibiting the use of fireworks within city limits during certain dry seasons to prevent wildfires. This directive would be a specific legal requirement that residents must follow.

  This illustrates an ordonnance as a direct, binding legal decree or regulation enacted by a governing body to implement a specific policy or address a particular issue.

• Example 2 (Compilation of Laws):

  In the 17th century, a kingdom might have developed an ordonnance on navigation, which was a detailed collection of all existing laws, rules, and procedures governing shipping, maritime trade, and naval conduct. This document would consolidate various royal decrees and customs into a single, comprehensive legal framework for the seas.

  Here, the ordonnance represents a systematic compilation of legal principles and regulations on a specialized topic, providing a comprehensive legal framework for a particular area of law.