A contracting authority has the power to commit funds to a project before they are available. Government agencies are the most common entities with contractual authority, and they can exceed promised funding commitments if necessary. It is important to confirm the limits of someone’s contractual authority before entering into agreements. A contracting authority is a […]
Off-duty police officers have the authority to enforce the law after identifying themselves, but cannot use their authority for personal reasons. They may have liability or insurance issues if injured during off-duty incidents. Different police departments have different policies regarding their authority. There are different schools of thought regarding the powers of an off-duty police […]
Budgetary authority is the responsibility given to certain sections of a government to control financial responsibilities and revenues. In the US, Congress and the President have this authority, and it involves determining necessary expenses and revenue for the following year. Governments often run their budgets in deficit, creating high levels of debt, and some special […]
The Internet Assigned Numbers Authority assigns and maintains internet addresses, including top-level domain management and IP and ASN numbers. It operates under ICANN’s policies to ensure unique web numbering addresses. The Internet Assigned Numbers Authority®, often called IANA® for short, is the worldwide organization that assigns Internet addresses and maintains a database of numeric and […]
Certificate authorities issue digital certificates to online businesses to guarantee their identification and secure personal information exchanged with customers. The trust in digital certificates depends on the certificate authority, and fees vary for individuals and businesses. A certificate authority (CA) is a trusted third party that issues digital certificates, mostly to online businesses. The certificate […]
Registration authorities create and maintain lists of alphanumeric codes or identifiers for organizations, products, and data. There are almost 100 international registration authorities, with half focused on the internet sector. The Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) governs IP address and domain name assignment, complying with ISO standards. Transport Layer Security (TLS) encrypts data and identifiers […]
Moral authority is the basis for creating and interpreting laws, but it can be complex in societies with different views on morality. In theocracy, religious leaders have moral authority, while in sectarian governments, it comes from the people’s vote. The US started with laws based on Christian philosophy but expanded voting rights. Moral authority is […]
Apparent authority allows someone to act on behalf of a larger agency, even if they don’t have actual authority. This is common in large companies and can be established through various means. For it to be legally binding, the agency must indicate that such authority exists. Apparent authority is basically a form of authority where […]
A competent authority is a person or entity with legal capacity to authorize an activity or make a decision. They can be held responsible for wrong decisions. They are designated in the Basel Convention and can be appealed to in unfair tax situations. They derive their power from the scope of duties set forth by […]
Primary authorities are legally binding documents issued by official bodies, such as legislation, case law, treaties, and executive orders. They must be followed and updated by lawmakers. Secondary authorities provide explanations and interpretations but are not legally binding. Legal research requires distinguishing between primary and secondary authorities. A primary authority is a document issued by […]
An effective authority is authorized to act on behalf of another, with decisions legally binding and enforceable in court. Explicit written authority is safest, but implied or oral authority may also be valid. Written confirmation is recommended, and proof of authority may be requested. An effective authority is a party authorized to act as an […]
Express authority is when an individual or entity gives clear and binding permission for another party to act on their behalf within a defined scope. It is different from implied authority, which is based on past relationships. Express authority can be useful in situations such as temporary absence or illness, and lawyers can assist in […]
Parental authority has evolved over time from granting parents the right to kill or disinherit their children to ensuring their basic needs are met and legal behavior is followed. Governments aim to create healthy and legal adult citizens by making parents responsible for their children’s care and behavior. Failure to meet these responsibilities can result […]
A monetary authority regulates a nation’s money supply, often through a central bank. They set interest rates and can adjust the amount of currency in circulation. The authority must balance intervention with allowing the market to correct itself. Heads of the authority are appointed by the government and often have long terms. A monetary authority […]
An authority commission is a document used by insurance companies to specify the powers assigned to agents, subject to following policies and procedures. It helps agents understand their limits and can prevent problems for the company. Violations can result in suspension, sanctions, or litigation. A commission of authority is a process typically used by insurance […]
An authority fallacy occurs when a person’s authority is taken as evidence that their statement is true. This mistake can be made when someone uses a statement made by someone else as evidence of a particular position. An authority fallacy can also occur when someone claims to be an authority on a particular subject where […]
A contracting authority is an entity authorized to commit funds to a project before they are available. Government agencies and private sector individuals can have this power, but controversy can arise over the extent of authority. It’s important to confirm the limits of authority before entering into agreements. A contracting authority is a person or […]
