Legal Term: QUORUM

Definition: Used substantively, quorum signifies the number of persons belonging to a legislative assembly, a corporation, society, or other body, required to transact business, there is a difference between an act done by a definite number of persons, and one performed by an indefinite number: in the first case a majority is required to constitute a quorum, unless the law expressly directs that another number may make one, in the latter case any number who may be present may act, the majority of those present having, as in other cases, the right to act. 7 Cowen, 402, 9 B. &, C. 648, Ang. on Corp. 28.1. 2. Sometimes the law requires a greater number than a bare majority to form a quorum, in such case no quorum is present until such a number convene. 3. When an authority is confided to several persons for a private purpose, all must join in the act, unless otherwise authorized. 6 John. R. 38. Vide Authority, Majority, Plurality.

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