Webster’s Dictionary defines the word as being ‘complete in every respect’, being absolute and unqualified; it gives a secondary definition as ‘fully attended or constituted by all who are present’.
Its etymology is plenum, the Latin for ‘full’. A plenary session, or lecture, is used to define a part of a conference when all members of all concerned parties are to attend; these may contain summative keynotes and panel discussions, and often encourages question-and-answer sessions.
Plenary power is a power that has been granted to a body in absolute terms, with no review of, or limitations upon, the exercise of the power. The assignment of a plenary power to one body divests all other bodies from the right to exercise that power, and where not otherwise entitled. One can also speak of plenary authority, granting someone a separate identification, definition, and complete vesting of a power or powers and/or authority in a governing body or individual, to choose to, or not, act on a particular subject matter or area.
The concept is also used in legal circles to define complete control in other circumstances, as in plenary authority over public funds, as opposed to limited authority over funds that are encumbered as collateral or by a legal claim.
Its etymology is plenum, the Latin for ‘full’. A plenary session, or lecture, is used to define a part of a conference when all members of all concerned parties are to attend; these may contain summative keynotes and panel discussions, and often encourages question-and-answer sessions.
Plenary power is a power that has been granted to a body in absolute terms, with no review of, or limitations upon, the exercise of the power. The assignment of a plenary power to one body divests all other bodies from the right to exercise that power, and where not otherwise entitled. One can also speak of plenary authority, granting someone a separate identification, definition, and complete vesting of a power or powers and/or authority in a governing body or individual, to choose to, or not, act on a particular subject matter or area.
The concept is also used in legal circles to define complete control in other circumstances, as in plenary authority over public funds, as opposed to limited authority over funds that are encumbered as collateral or by a legal claim.
