Legal Definitions - consensus

Definition: A general agreement or collective opinion.

For example, when a group of people come together to make a decision, they may discuss their opinions and ideas until they reach a consensus. This means that everyone in the group agrees on the same decision.

Consensus is often used in small groups or organizations where less formality is required. It allows for compromise and ensures that everyone's opinions are heard and considered before a decision is made.

One example of consensus being used successfully is in Quaker meetings. Quakers use consensus as their decision-making procedure, and it has been effective for them for many years.

Another example is in New England town meetings, where residents come together to discuss and make decisions about local issues. Consensus is often used in these meetings to ensure that everyone's opinions are taken into account.