In legal terminology, what does authority refer to?

• A. A proposed bill
• B. The standard for ethical conduct in the judiciary
• C. That which can bind or influence a court
• D. A writ issued to compel appearance

Answer: (C)

Authority in legal terms is the source of power behind rules and the basis for decisions that courts must follow. It is what can bind a court—like statutes and the constitution—and it can influence a court through precedents and rules. That makes it the best description: it’s the thing that provides the legal basis for decisions. A proposed bill is not yet binding law; a standard for ethical conduct is about behavior, not binding legal directives; and a writ is a procedural instrument used to compel appearance, not the general source of authority. Therefore, authority refers to that which inherently binds or influences a court.