Legal Definitions - Quorum

Definition: A quorum is the minimum number of members required to be present at a meeting in order for official action to be taken. This is often required for groups such as legislative bodies, corporate boards of directors, and shareholder meetings.

Examples:

• A city council may require a quorum of at least 5 members to be present in order to vote on a new ordinance.
• A board of directors for a company may require a quorum of at least 50% of its members to be present in order to make important decisions.
• During a shareholder meeting, a quorum of at least 25% of the company's shareholders may be required in order to vote on important matters such as electing new board members.

These examples illustrate how a quorum is necessary in order for a group to make official decisions. Without a quorum, the group may not have enough members present to make a valid decision. This ensures that important decisions are not made without the input of a significant portion of the group's members.