Legal Definitions - table

The term "table" can function as both a noun and a verb, particularly within legal and parliamentary contexts.

As a Noun:

As a noun, "table" primarily refers to:

• A structured presentation of information: A concise, organized display of data or facts, often arranged in columns and rows, designed to make complex information easier to understand, compare, or analyze.
• Example 1 (Financial Data): A financial analyst might create a *table* to compare the quarterly revenue, profit margins, and market share of three competing companies over the past year. This allows for a quick, side-by-side assessment of their performance trends.
• Example 2 (Medical Research): A medical journal article might include a *table* summarizing the demographics, treatment protocols, and outcomes for participants in a clinical trial. This helps readers quickly grasp the key findings and patient characteristics without reading through dense paragraphs.
• Example 3 (Legal Case Management): A law firm might use a *table* to track the status of multiple cases, listing client names, case numbers, key deadlines, and responsible attorneys. This provides an at-a-glance overview of the firm's workload and critical dates.
• Historical legal texts: Historically, a collection of laws or decrees inscribed on physical tablets.
• Example: The ancient Roman legal system was significantly influenced by the *Twelve Tables*, a foundational set of laws publicly displayed to ensure legal transparency and consistency for citizens.
• Parliamentary context: In a very specific parliamentary context, it can refer to the secretary's or clerk's desk where official documents are placed.

As a Verb:

As a verb, "table" is primarily used in parliamentary procedure:

• To postpone or set aside a motion: In a deliberative assembly, to *table* a motion means to temporarily set aside a pending discussion or proposal. This action often allows the assembly to address more urgent business or to gather more information. While a tabled motion can be brought up again later by a vote, it is sometimes used strategically to effectively postpone or "kill" a motion indefinitely without a direct vote on its merits.
• Example 1 (City Council Meeting): During a city council meeting, a proposal for a controversial new tax levy is being debated. A council member, sensing that there isn't enough support for immediate passage and wanting to avoid a divisive vote, might move to *table* the motion. This action would temporarily halt the discussion, allowing the council to move on to other agenda items and potentially revisit the tax levy at a later date after further public input.
• Example 2 (Non-Profit Board): The board of a non-profit organization is discussing a significant change to its mission statement. Several board members express concerns about the potential impact on funding and donor relations. To allow for more research and consultation with stakeholders, the board decides to *table* the motion, postponing a decision until their next meeting.
• Example 3 (Shareholder Meeting): At an annual shareholder meeting, a resolution proposed by a minority shareholder is brought forward, but the company's leadership believes it is not in the best interest of the company. Rather than directly voting it down and potentially alienating shareholders, the board might move to *table* the resolution, effectively putting it aside without a definitive "no" vote, making it unlikely to be brought up again soon.