Delegable

Delegable means capable of being delegated: the transfer of authority, powers, or duties from one person or body to another (the delegate). The concept is used across law, governance, and management to describe whether decision-making authority can be assigned to an agent, committee, officer, or subsidiary, while the delegating entity remains responsible for the outcome within the scope of the delegation.

In legal and administrative contexts, delegation is implemented through statutes, regulations, or internal policies. A delegating authority may define the scope, duration, limits, and reporting requirements of the delegation. The designee’s acts are typically binding on third parties to the same extent as if performed by the delegator, subject to supervision and revocation. The delegator retains ultimate accountability for fiduciary duties and compliance with law, and may rescind or modify the delegation.

Non-delegable powers or duties are those that cannot or should not be transferred; statutes or constitutional provisions may designate certain functions as non-delegable or require personal performance, oversight, or periodic review.

In practice, delegation is widespread in organizations: boards delegate operational decisions to executives or committees; government agencies delegate administrative tasks to departments or contractors; delegation must balance efficiency with accountability, avoid conflicts of interest, and ensure adequate oversight.

Etymology: delegable derives from late Latin delegare, meaning to appoint as a delegate, with English suffix -able.

See also: delegation, delegated legislation, delegation of authority.