Legal Definitions - unfinished business and general orders

Definition:Unfinished business and general orders refer to matters that come before a deliberative assembly for its consideration and action, or for its information with a view to possible action in the future. It can be a commercial enterprise carried on for profit or transactions or matters of a noncommercial nature.

Examples:

• A company discussing their financial reports and future plans for growth is an example of commercial transactions falling under the category of unfinished business and general orders.
• A court discussing a criminal case and its proceedings is an example of noncommercial matters falling under the category of unfinished business and general orders.
• During a meeting, a member brings up a new item of business that was not previously scheduled for consideration. This is an example of new business.
• Unfinished business refers to a general order carried over from an earlier meeting in the same session because the meeting adjourned before or while considering it.

The examples illustrate how unfinished business and general orders can refer to both commercial and noncommercial matters that require consideration and action by a deliberative assembly. It can also include new business that is introduced during a meeting and unfinished business that is carried over from a previous meeting.