Ministerial refers to the act of adhering to instructions or laws without exercising personal judgement or expertise. An illustration of this is seen in the responsibilities of a court clerk, who is tasked with recording judgements on the docket.
Ministerial is an adjective that describes an act involving the strict adherence to instructions or laws, rather than relying on personal judgement or skill. For example, the court clerk’s ministerial duties include recording judgements on the docket, which requires following specific instructions or laws without using personal discretion. Similarly, a police officer’s ministerial duty is to enforce traffic laws by issuing tickets to drivers who violate them, which also involves following specific rules and regulations without using personal judgement.
A ministerial act is an action that is performed in accordance with established rules and procedures, without the exercise of discretion or judgment.
A ministerial act is performed according to established rules and procedures, while a discretionary act involves the exercise of judgment or discretion.
Generally, a ministerial act cannot be challenged in court unless it was performed in violation of established rules or procedures.
A ministerial act can be performed by any authorized individual who is trained to follow established rules and procedures.
Examples of ministerial acts include issuing a marriage license, processing a passport application, or issuing a building permit.
Yes, a ministerial act can be delegated to another authorized individual who is trained to follow established rules and procedures.
If a ministerial act is not performed correctly, it may need to be corrected or redone in order to comply with established rules and procedures.
In some cases, a ministerial act may be performed outside of normal business hours if it is necessary to meet a deadline or address an emergency situation.
A ministerial officer is responsible for performing ministerial acts in accordance with established rules and procedures.
No, a ministerial act must be performed by an authorized individual who has been trained to follow established rules and procedures. Performing a ministerial act without proper authorization may result in legal consequences.
This site contains general legal information but does not constitute professional legal advice for your particular situation. Persuing this glossary does not create an attorney-client or legal adviser relationship. If you have specific questions, please consult a qualified attorney licensed in your jurisdiction.
This glossary post was last updated: 17th April 2024.
To help you cite our definitions in your bibliography, here is the proper citation layout for the three major formatting styles, with all of the relevant information filled in.
- Page URL:https://dlssolicitors.com/define/ministerial/
- Modern Language Association (MLA):Ministerial. dlssolicitors.com. DLS Solicitors. May 09 2024 https://dlssolicitors.com/define/ministerial/.
- Chicago Manual of Style (CMS):Ministerial. dlssolicitors.com. DLS Solicitors. https://dlssolicitors.com/define/ministerial/ (accessed: May 09 2024).
- American Psychological Association (APA):Ministerial. dlssolicitors.com. Retrieved May 09 2024, from dlssolicitors.com website: https://dlssolicitors.com/define/ministerial/
Our team of professionals are based in Alderley Edge, Cheshire. We offer clear, specialist legal advice in all matters relating to Family Law, Wills, Trusts, Probate, Lasting Power of Attorney and Court of Protection.
All author posts