Legal Definitions - purview

Purview refers to the range, scope, or extent of something. It defines the area of authority, responsibility, or application that a particular person, department, law, or concept covers. Essentially, it describes what falls within a specific domain or jurisdiction.

Here are some examples to illustrate the term:

• Example 1: Departmental Responsibilities

  Imagine a large university where the Dean of Students is responsible for student welfare, campus life, and disciplinary matters. The Dean's purview would encompass issues like student housing, mental health services, and enforcing the student code of conduct. However, decisions about academic curriculum changes or faculty hiring would fall outside the Dean's purview, belonging instead to the Provost or individual academic departments.

  This example demonstrates how purview defines the specific areas of responsibility and authority for a particular role or department within an organization.

• Example 2: Legal Application

  Consider a new state law designed to regulate ride-sharing services. The law's purview would cover companies like Uber and Lyft, addressing aspects such as driver background checks, insurance requirements, and passenger safety standards. It would not, however, extend to regulating traditional taxi services or public transportation systems, as those fall outside its defined scope of application.

  Here, purview illustrates the specific types of entities or activities that a particular law or regulation is intended to govern.

• Example 3: Professional Expertise

  A civil engineer specializing in bridge construction is asked for an opinion on the structural integrity of a new skyscraper design. While the engineer possesses extensive knowledge of structural principles, the specific design and materials used in skyscrapers might fall outside their direct professional purview, which is primarily focused on bridges. They might defer to an architect or a structural engineer specializing in high-rise buildings.

  This example shows how purview can define the limits of an individual's expertise or professional domain, indicating what they are qualified or responsible to address.