In general, an article is a subdivision of a larger legal document or law. Articles are used to organize and clarify the law, and to make it easier to find specific information. For example, the United States Constitution is divided into www.lawhints.com articles, each of which deals with a different topic, such as the legislative branch, the executive branch, and the judicial branch. Similarly, statutes (laws passed by legislatures) are often divided into articles. For example, the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC), a set of laws governing commercial transactions, is divided into nine articles.
Articles can also be used to refer to specific sections of a legal document. For example, the articles of incorporation of a corporation are the legal documents that create the corporation and define its basic rights and powers. Articles of incorporation typically include information such as the corporation’s name, purpose, and authorized capital stock.
In some contexts, the term “article” is used to refer to a specific legal charge or accusation. For example, articles of impeachment are the charges that are brought against a public official who is being impeached.
Here are some examples of how the term “article” is used in legal contexts:
Article I of the United States Constitution establishes the legislative branch of government.
Article II of the United States Constitution establishes the executive branch of government.
Article III of the United States Constitution establishes the judicial branch of government. Article 2 of the Uniform Commercial Code governs the sale of goods. Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code governs secured transactions, which are transactions in which a creditor takes an interest in a debtor’s property as collateral for a loan.
The articles of incorporation of a corporation set forth the corporation’s name, purpose, authorized capital stock, and other basic information.
The articles of impeachment against President Richard Nixon charged him with abuse of power, obstruction of justice, and contempt of Congress.
The Importance of Articles in Legal Documents
Articles play an important role in legal documents because they help to organize and clarify the law. By dividing legal documents into articles, lawmakers and legal professionals can make it easier to find specific information and to understand the overall structure of the law. Additionally, articles can be used to group together related provisions of law, which can make it easier to apply the law to specific situations.
Conclusion
The term “article” is a versatile legal term that has a variety of different meanings, depending on the context. It is important to understand the specific context in which the term is being used in order to determine its meaning. However, in general, articles are used to organize and clarify legal documents and to make it easier to find specific information.