Dictionary entry details
• LEGAL INSTRUMENT (noun)
Meaning:
(law) a document that states some contractual relationship or grants some right
Classified under:
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents
Synonyms:
legal document; legal instrument; official document; instrument
Hypernyms ("legal instrument" is a kind of...):
document; papers; written document (writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature))
Domain category:
jurisprudence; law (the collection of rules imposed by authority)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "legal instrument"):
derivative; derivative instrument (a financial instrument whose value is based on another security)
deed of trust; trust deed (a written instrument legally conveying property to a trustee often used to secure an obligation such as a mortgage or promissory note)
conveyance (document effecting a property transfer)
income tax return; return; tax return (document giving the tax collector information about the taxpayer's tax liability)
licence; license; permit (a legal document giving official permission to do something)
letters patent; patent (an official document granting a right or privilege)
judgement; judgment; legal opinion; opinion (the legal document stating the reasons for a judicial decision)
acquittance; release (a legal document evidencing the discharge of a debt or obligation)
judicial writ; writ ((law) a legal document issued by a court or judicial officer)
authorisation; authorization; mandate (a document giving an official instruction or command)
affidavit (written declaration made under oath; a written statement sworn to be true before someone legally authorized to administer an oath)
written agreement (a legal document summarizing the agreement between parties)
bill of indictment; indictment (a formal document written for a prosecuting attorney charging a person with some offense)
impeachment (a formal document charging a public official with misconduct in office)
arraignment (a legal document calling someone to court to answer an indictment)
assignment (the instrument by which a claim or right or interest or property is transferred from one person to another)
deed; deed of conveyance; title (a legal document signed and sealed and delivered to effect a transfer of property and to show the legal right to possess it)
living will (a document written by someone still legally capable requesting that they should be allowed to die if subsequently severely disabled or suffering terminal illness)
negotiable instrument (an unconditional order or promise to pay an amount of money)
passport (a document issued by a country to a citizen allowing that person to travel abroad and re-enter the home country)
ship's papers (official papers which a ship is legally required to have; related to ownership, cargo, etc.)
manifest (a customs document listing the contents put on a ship or plane)
debenture (a certificate or voucher acknowledging a debt)
power of attorney (a legal instrument authorizing someone to act as the grantor's agent)
letters of administration (legal document naming someone to administer an estate when no executor has been named)
letters testamentary (a legal document from a probate court or court officer informing you of your appointment as executor of a will and empowering you to discharge those responsibilities)
work papers; work permit; working papers (a legal document giving information required for employment of certain people in certain countries)
act; enactment (a legal document codifying the result of deliberations of a committee or society or legislative body)
law (legal document setting forth rules governing a particular kind of activity)
bill; measure (a statute in draft before it becomes law)
brief; legal brief (a document stating the facts and points of law of a client's case)
testament; will (a legal document declaring a person's wishes regarding the disposal of their property when they die)
certificate; security (a formal declaration that documents a fact of relevance to finance and investment; the holder has a right to receive interest or dividends)
