Legal Definitions - ratify

To ratify means to give formal approval or consent to an action, agreement, or document, thereby making it legally valid, binding, or officially recognized. This approval often confirms an action that was previously taken without full authority, or it can be a necessary step to bring an agreement into legal force.

• International Treaty Approval

  Imagine a country's chief diplomat signs a new international trade agreement with several other nations. While the diplomat's signature indicates an initial agreement, the treaty typically does not become legally binding on that country until its legislative body (like a parliament or congress) formally votes to ratify it. This act of ratification transforms the signed document into a legally enforceable commitment for the nation.

• Unauthorized Business Decision

  Consider a company's marketing director who, without prior approval from the board of directors, commits the company to a very expensive, long-term advertising campaign. The board later reviews the campaign's potential benefits and, despite the director's initial lack of authority, decides to formally approve or ratify the commitment. By doing so, the company becomes legally bound by the advertising contract, even though it was initially made without proper authorization.

• Contract Made by a Minor

  Suppose a 16-year-old enters into a contract to purchase an expensive piece of computer equipment on an installment plan. In many jurisdictions, contracts made by minors are "voidable," meaning the minor can choose to cancel them upon reaching the age of majority (typically 18). If, after turning 18, the individual continues to make payments on the computer equipment for several months without attempting to cancel the contract, they are considered to have ratified the agreement. Their continued actions after becoming an adult confirm their intent to be bound by the contract, making it fully enforceable against them.