legal duty

noun

UK /ˈliː.ɡəl ˈdjuː.ti/

US /ˈliː.ɡəl ˈduː.ti/

A legal duty is a job you must do because the law says so.

Drivers have a legal duty to stop after a car accident.

SYNONYMS

legal obligation legal responsibility statutory duty lawful requirement

RELATED WORDS

law obligation liability contract rights

OTHER MEANINGS

2. A duty that a court can enforce against a person.

The company breached its legal duty to keep workers safe.

3. The responsibility of a professional to act with proper care.

A doctor has a legal duty of care toward patients.

4. An obligation created by a specific law or statute.

Landlords have a legal duty to provide smoke alarms.

5. A duty owed by a citizen to follow the law.

Paying taxes is a legal duty for most adults.