Legal Definitions - society

Society refers to a group of individuals connected by shared characteristics, purposes, or relationships. This term can describe:

• A broad community of people living together under common laws and customs, often within a defined geographical area.
• A specific organization or association formed by individuals who agree to work together for a particular goal.
• The intangible benefits of companionship, affection, and support derived from close personal relationships, such as those within a family.

Here are some examples illustrating the different ways the term society is used:

• When a national government enacts laws to protect environmental resources, it is acting on behalf of the broader society. This demonstrates how society can refer to the collective body of citizens within a nation who share common interests and are governed by a unified legal framework.

• A group of local business owners forms a "Downtown Revitalization Society" to collectively fund and manage improvements to their commercial district. In this context, society refers to a specific, organized association of individuals who have voluntarily united to achieve a shared objective.

• In a personal injury lawsuit, if a child suffers a severe, disabling injury, their parents might sue for "loss of parental society." This legal claim seeks compensation for the loss of the child's companionship, comfort, and emotional support that the parents would have otherwise enjoyed, illustrating society as the intangible benefits of a close family relationship.