WordNet
n. (law) a document that states some contractual relationship or grants some right [syn: legal document, official document, instrument]
Wikipedia
Legal instrument is a legal term of art that is used for any formally executed written document that can be formally attributed to its author, records and formally expresses a legally enforceable act, process, or contractual duty, obligation, or right, and therefore evidences that act, process, or agreement. Examples include a certificate, deed, bond, contract, will, legislative act, notarial act, court writ or process, or any law passed by a competent legislative body in municipal (domestic) or international law. Many legal instruments were written under seal by affixing a wax or paper seal to the document in evidence of its legal execution and authenticity (which often removes the need for consideration in contract law); however, today many jurisdictions have done away with the requirement of documents being under seal in order to give them legal effect.
Usage examples of "legal instrument".
They would realize that an impeachment in modern times was unthinkable, that the legal instrument of reproof and discipline in the Constitution had become obsolete.
This is not something that can be committed to a legal instrument, of course, but Chrysalis is a witness to these proceedings and the organizations reputation is your surety.
She was not an own-child, but a right-line childthat was a euphemism that said she had some relationship to the head of the house, but not one confirmed by binding or other legal instrument.
She was not an own-child, but a right-line child-that was a euphemism that said she had some relationship to the head of the house, but not one confirmed by binding or other legal instrument.
I used a legal instrument to cut off their momentum and make their goal harder to reach.
Because what sets government apart from every other organization is that it is the legal instrument of force within a society.