Legal Definitions - dispensation

Definition: Dispensation (dis-pen-say-shun) refers to an exemption from a law, duty, or penalty. It is a permission to do something that is usually not allowed.

• A student who has a medical condition may receive a dispensation from physical education classes.
• A religious organization may receive a dispensation from paying taxes.
• A prisoner may receive a dispensation from serving their full sentence due to good behavior.

These examples illustrate how dispensation can be used to exempt someone from a law or duty. In the first example, the student is exempt from participating in physical education due to a medical condition. In the second example, the religious organization is exempt from paying taxes due to their status as a non-profit organization. In the third example, the prisoner is exempt from serving their full sentence due to good behavior.