Legal Definitions - requisition

Requisition refers to two primary concepts in a legal context:

• 1. A Formal, Authoritative Demand: This is an official, binding request or order made by an individual or entity with legal authority, often directed towards another party to perform a specific action, provide information, or surrender something. Such a demand carries legal weight and typically requires compliance.

  Example: During a severe public health crisis, the national emergency management agency issues a formal directive to a major pharmaceutical company. This directive requisitions a significant portion of the company's newly developed vaccine supply for immediate distribution to priority populations across the country, citing national security and public welfare concerns.

  Explanation: Here, "requisition" illustrates an authoritative demand. The government agency, acting under its emergency powers, formally orders the pharmaceutical company to surrender a portion of its product for public use, demonstrating a legally binding request.

• 2. Governmental Seizure of Property: This occurs when a government or public authority takes temporary or permanent possession of private property for public use, especially during times of emergency, war, or for specific public projects. While compensation is usually provided, the act of taking possession is the "requisition."

  Example: Following a devastating hurricane, the municipal government needs a large, open space to set up a temporary relief camp and distribution center for aid. They decide to requisition a privately-owned sports stadium and its surrounding parking lots for this purpose, informing the owners that the property will be used for emergency operations for several weeks, with fair compensation to be negotiated later.

  Explanation: In this scenario, "requisition" refers to the governmental seizure of private property. The municipal government, exercising its authority during a disaster, takes control of the stadium and parking lots for a critical public purpose, showcasing the act of taking possession.

The term "requisition" can also be used as a verb, meaning "to formally demand" or "to seize property" in the ways described above.