Simple English definitions for legal terms
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Term: Ratify
Definition: Ratify means to officially approve or make something legally binding. This can happen when a group of people, like a government or a company, agrees to a new rule or law. For example, when the United States Constitution was created, it needed to be ratified by at least nine states before it became official. In contract law, ratification can happen when someone accepts the benefits of a contract, like getting paid for a job. Even kids can ratify a contract when they become adults and agree to it. When something is ratified, it becomes official and everyone has to follow it.
Ratify means to approve or make legally binding an act that would not otherwise be binding without such approval. This can apply to constitutions, amendments, contracts, and actions taken by directors, officers, or employees.
These examples illustrate how ratification can make an act legally binding. For example, when nine states ratified the US Constitution, it became effective and established the framework for the federal government. Similarly, accepting the benefits of a contract can ratify it, making it legally enforceable. This means that if someone receives the benefits of a contract, they cannot later refuse to honor it.