Commission

In law a commission is a patent which allows a person to take possession of a state office and carry out official acts and duties. Although the term commissioned officer is a military term, civilian officers of the government such as judges, justices of the peace, marshals, and cabinet ministers also are commissioned, as well as many others.

Related Topics:
Law - Patent - State - Office - Commissioned officer - Military - Civilian - Government - Judges - Justices of the peace - Marshal - Cabinet minister

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A commission does not appoint a person to an office. The appointment occurs before the granting of the commission itself; however, the commission is necessary for the person to exercise the office. This is best illustrated in the landmark Marbury v. Madison of the United States Supreme Court, which made a distinction between the appointment of a person to an office and the actual assumption of the office. The first occurs once the appointing officer, in this case the President of the United States, makes the appointing act, and the second occurs upon reception of the commission.

Related Topics:
Marbury v. Madison - United States Supreme Court - President of the United States

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In the United Kingdom, to put an office in commission means to take an office normally held by one person, such as Lord High Treasurer, and assign it to a board of commissioners. The office of First Lord of the Treasury is actually the most senior commissioner sharing the post of Lord High Treasurer.

Related Topics:
United Kingdom - Lord High Treasurer - Commissioner - First Lord of the Treasury

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A commission may also be the entire government agency that operates under the authority of a government officer.

Related Topics:
Government agency - Officer

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A commission is also a fee or allowance given to a sales person, affiliate, realtor, stockbroker or agent in exchange for services rendered, often some percentage of the sales s/he is responsible for.

Related Topics:
Affiliate - Stockbroker

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A commission can also be a request to create a work, whether of commerce or art: a patron may commission a sculptor to create a specific work, or a corporation may commission a survey by a consulting firm which does such work.

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