Body — in plain language

Plain language

a group of people or an organization that acts as a single unit, such as a committee, a government agency, or a corporation

• organization
• group
• authority
• entity

What to watch for

• Non-lawyers often assume 'body' refers only to a human physical body. In legal documents, it almost always refers to an organization or group.
• Translators may confuse 'body' with 'person.' While a corporation is a 'legal person,' it is a 'body' in the sense of a collective organization.
• The term is often used in the phrase 'governmental body,' which is a broad term that includes agencies, departments, and commissions; translating it too narrowly (e.g., just 'government') can lose the specific organizational focus.

Distinguishing from "Person". While the law often treats corporations as "legal persons," the term "body" is used to emphasize the collective, organizational nature of the entity. When translating, focus on the "group" or "organization" aspect rather than the "individual" aspect.

Context-Dependent Meaning.

• Regulatory Body: Usually refers to a government agency or commission with oversight power.
• Governing Body: Refers to the internal leadership group of an organization, such as a board of directors or a city council.
• Body of Law: Occasionally, the term is used to describe a collection of rules (e.g., "a body of case law"). In this context, it should be translated as "a collection" or "a set of rules" rather than an organization.

What to Watch For.

• Always check if the "body" is being granted power (e.g., "the regulatory body has jurisdiction") or if it is being restricted (e.g., "the governing body shall not exceed its authority"). The translation should reflect the specific role the group plays in the document.

Legal definition

In a legal context, a "body" refers to a group of people or an organization that functions as a single unit. This can include a board of directors, a government agency, a regulatory commission, or even a corporation. It is used to describe any collective entity that has the authority to make decisions, enforce rules, or enter into agreements.

Examples

Where you'll see it

• commercial contracts
• regulatory filings
• corporate governance documents
• court orders

Related terms

• entity
• corporation
• agency
• board
• jurisdiction

Word details

Pronunciation

BOD-ee

Part of speech

noun

Origin

Old English — the physical frame of a person or animal

Domains

contract law, administrative law, corporate law

Frequency

very common

Formality

moderate