Also known as:abides by · abided by · abiding by · comply with · adhere to
Written by attorneys · grounded in primary & secondary sources — see below
Conduct that conforms to a rule, decision, or obligation.
Sources & Authorities· 40 primary sources
Select any source to read its text and confirm it supports the definition.
Cases
Statutes
How it applies
Common Examples
6
Judge Follows Conduct Code
Judge Antonio Alvarado receives an ex parte communication from a litigant. He discloses the contact to all parties and recuses himself from the matter rather than proceeding. The disclosure and recusal satisfy the obligation to act in accordance with judicial rules.
Lawyer Honors Client Objectives
Alexandra Armstrong instructs her lawyer to reject a settlement offer and proceed to trial. The lawyer conveys the rejection and prepares for trial without attempting to override the decision. The lawyer's actions respect the client's authority over case objectives.
Audrey Ashton pays for and begins constructing a home on land under an oral agreement. The seller later refuses to convey title. The buyer's expenditures in reliance allow a court to order conveyance despite the missing writing.
Servitude Enforced by Reliance
Amelia Amari purchases property believing an access easement exists over neighboring land. She builds a driveway using the route. The neighbor cannot later revoke the easement because the buyer's reliance prevents termination at will.
Commission Must Meet Statutory Limits
A military commission tries a detainee under procedures that deny counsel access to evidence. The reviewing court halts the proceeding because the executive order creating the commission failed to satisfy congressional requirements.
Holographic Will Validated
Angela Acosta writes her will entirely in her own handwriting and signs it. The document lacks witnesses. The signature and material provisions satisfy the requirements for a valid holographic will.
Common questions
Frequently Asked
3
Does abiding by a client's decision require the lawyer to follow every suggested means of achieving the objective?+
No. The lawyer must follow the client's decisions on objectives and consult on means, but may take actions impliedly authorized to carry out the representation.
Supporting sources
When does failure to abide by a writing requirement still allow enforcement of a land contract?+
Enforcement is permitted when the party seeking performance has reasonably relied on the contract and changed position so that injustice can be avoided only by specific enforcement.
Supporting sources
What happens if a servitude agreement does not meet the Statute of Frauds?+
The burden is unenforceable and the benefit is terminable at will unless an exemption or reliance exception applies.
Supporting sources
576 U.S. 644 (2015)Legislation and Regulation
…of opposite-sex couples’ decisions about marriage and parenthood. Finally, the First Amendment ensures that religions, those who adhere to religious doctrines, and others have protection as they seek to teach the principles that are so fulfilling and so central to their lives and faiths. Pp. 23–27. (c) The Fourteenth…