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Meaning & use

statutory duty

noun·Advancedlegalformal

Last updated

UK/ˌstætʃətɔːri ˈdjuːti/
US/ˌstætʃətɔːri ˈduːti/

Meaning

  1. nouncountablelegalformal

    A legal obligation that is imposed by a law passed by a legislature.

    Grammar: Countable; often used with 'a' or in the plural 'statutory duties'.

    Patterns

    • a statutory duty to do something
    • have a statutory duty
    • breach a statutory duty

    The company has a statutory duty to provide a safe working environment.

    Local authorities have a statutory duty to house homeless families.

    Failure to perform a statutory duty can lead to legal penalties.

Word forms

pluralstatutory duties

Common combinations

statutory duty to
Employers have a statutory duty to pay minimum wage.
breach of statutory duty
The lawsuit alleged a breach of statutory duty.
impose a statutory duty
The new law imposes a statutory duty on manufacturers.
fulfill a statutory duty
The agency must fulfill its statutory duty to inspect facilities.

Synonyms and how they differ

legal obligation
Broader term; 'statutory duty' specifically refers to an obligation created by legislation.
mandate
Can be similar, but 'mandate' often implies an official command, while 'statutory duty' is a legal requirement.

Word family

statute noun
A written law passed by a legislative body.
statutory adjective
Relating to a statute; required or defined by law.

Commonly confused: statutory duty or statutory right?

statutory duty vs statutory right

A statutory right is a legal entitlement, while a statutory duty is a legal obligation.

Practice

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