Institute Law and Legal Definition
The term ‘Institute’ has varied meanings depending on the context in which it is used. In legal parlance, it could refer to:
A legal treatise or commentary. For example, Coke's Institutes in four volumes (published in 1628); Institutes of Justinian.
In civil law, it refers to a person named in a will as heir who has directions to pass the estate on to some other specified person.
It can be an organization devoted to the study and improvement of a specific area. A research organization created to do research on specific topics. It can also refer to the building where such an organization is situated. For example, the term Washington Technical Institute means the vocational and technical school established to provide: A) Vocational and technical education designed to fit individuals for useful employment in recognized occupations; and B) Vocational and technical courses on an individual, noncredit basis. [D.C. Code § 38-1121]
To begin or start or commence. For example, to institute a law suit. The U.S. attorney or the Attorney General of the District of Columbia may institute a Quo Warranto proceeding on his own motion, or on the relation of a third person.” [ D.C. Code § 16-3522]
To bring into use or practice. For example, to institute laws or rules, customs, or precedents.
In Ecclesiastical law, it means to assign to or invest with a spiritual charge, as of a parish.
The term institute originated from the Latin word institutum which means facility or habit and from instituere which means to build, create, raise or educate.
Legal Definition list
Related Legal Terms
- American Institute of Certified Public Accountants [AICPA]
- American Institute of Electrical Engineers
- American Law Institute [ALI]
- American National Standards Institute
- American Petroleum Institute
- CFA Institute
- Director of the Institute of Museum Services [Education]
- Director of the National Institute of Education [Education]
- Foreign Service Institute [FSI]
- Homeland Security Institute
