bindende

Bindende is an adjective used in several West Germanic languages to denote something that creates or imposes a legal, moral, or normative obligation. It is applied to decisions, agreements, statements, or rules that require compliance or have force of law, in contrast with non-binding or advisory forms.

Etymology and cognates: Bindende derives from the verb bind (to bind or obligate). Related forms exist across related languages, such as Dutch bindend or bindende, Norwegian bindende, Danish bindende, and German bindend/bindende, with the exact form depending on gender and grammatical role in the noun phrase.

Usage in law and administration: In legal and governmental contexts, a bindende decision or binding agreement is typically enforceable against the parties involved. Examples include binding arbitration awards, binding resolutions by international organizations when member states are obligated to implement them, or government mandates described as binding on citizens. Some instruments or statements may be binding in one sense (legally enforceable) and non-binding in another (morally or politically persuasive).

Usage notes: The term appears in various phrases in different languages, such as bindende overeenkomsten or bindend advies in Dutch, and bindende avtale or bindende beslutning in Norwegian or Danish. The level of enforceability can vary by jurisdiction; some binding instruments create legal obligations, while others impose only formal or procedural duties.

See also:

- Binding (general concept)

- Non-binding

- Obligation

- Contract

- Arbitration