Legal Definitions - pecuniary interest

Definition: Pecuniary interest refers to a financial interest or advantage that a person has in a particular matter or decision. It can be a direct or indirect interest, and it can be positive or negative.

Example: A city council member who owns a construction company and stands to benefit financially from a proposed development project has a pecuniary interest in that project. This interest may influence their decision-making and could be seen as a conflict of interest.

Explanation: The example illustrates how a person's financial interest in a matter can create a conflict of interest. In this case, the council member's ownership of a construction company creates a potential financial gain from the development project, which could influence their decision-making. This conflict of interest could compromise the integrity of the decision-making process and undermine public trust in the council's actions.