Legal Definitions - joint enterprise

Definition: Joint enterprise refers to an activity that involves two or more people who have a common interest, purpose, and level of control. In business law, joint enterprise is an informal relationship between two or more parties who contribute skills, knowledge, resources, or money to achieve a common goal. However, in criminal law and torts, joint enterprise refers to a criminal conspiracy or an instance of group negligence. In this context, each party may be held liable for the wrongdoings of the other participants.

Business Law: Two friends decide to start a small business together. They both contribute money and skills to the business and share the profits equally. This is an example of joint enterprise in business law.

Criminal Law: A group of people plan to rob a bank. They all have different roles in the robbery, such as the getaway driver, the lookout, and the person who actually robs the bank. If the robbery goes wrong and someone is injured or killed, all of the participants may be held liable for the crime under the doctrine of joint enterprise.

These examples illustrate how joint enterprise can be used in different contexts. In business law, joint enterprise is a positive thing that can help people achieve their goals. However, in criminal law, joint enterprise is a negative thing that can lead to serious consequences for all of the participants.