Legal Definitions - rules of order

Definition: Rules of order are established and authoritative standards or principles that guide conduct or action in a given type of situation. They can be general norms applicable to a class of cases or circumstances, or specific regulations governing a court's or an agency's internal procedures. In parliamentary law, rules of order are procedural rules for the orderly conduct of business in a deliberative assembly.

Examples:

• A standing rule about the time and place of regular meetings in an organization
• A mandatory rule in the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) that obligates parties to act in good faith and fair dealing
• A peremptory rule in a court order that must be obeyed without an opportunity to respond

These examples illustrate how rules of order can be different in nature and scope, but they all serve to provide guidance and structure in various contexts. Whether they are administrative, procedural, or legal in nature, rules of order help ensure fairness, efficiency, and consistency in decision-making and action-taking.