Necessary Definition and Legal Meaning

On this page, you'll find the legal definition and meaning of Necessary, written in plain English, along with examples of how it is used.

What is Necessary?

adj.Indespensable, extremely essential, compulsory, inevitable.

History and Meaning of Necessary

The term "necessary" comes from the Latin word "necessarius," which means "indispensable or unavoidable." When something is deemed necessary, it is essential; it cannot be left out, avoided or ignored.

In legal terms, the word "necessary" is often used to describe something that is required or obligatory, such as the necessary elements needed to prove a case in court. It can also be used to describe actions that are needed to prevent harm or danger.

Examples of Necessary

  1. To convict someone of murder, evidence of both the act and the intent to kill is necessary.
  2. The witness's testimony is necessary for the prosecution's case to hold up in court.
  3. The court determined that workplace safety measures were necessary to prevent accidents and injuries.
  4. Wearing a mask is necessary to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
  5. The company determined that layoffs were necessary to cut costs and stay in business.

Legal Terms Similar to Necessary

  1. Obligatory:Similar to necessary, this term refers to something that must be done, required, or enforced by law or other rules.
  2. Compulsory: This term refers to something that is required by law or a rule, and that cannot be avoided or ignored.
  3. Indispensable: Also similar to necessary, this term means that something is too important to be without and must be present or used.