Written by attorneys · grounded in primary & secondary sources — see below
A person who submits a formal request for a license, permit, position, benefit, or other legal entitlement.
Anchor Bank owns a downtown parcel zoned for retail only. It submits an application to the city planning board seeking a variance to build residential units above its branch. The board grants conditional approval after the bank agrees to add public parking spaces. Anchor Bank qualifies as the applicant whose request triggers the zoning procedures.
Aisha Ahmed operates a home-based bakery next to Anika Anand's residence. Anika seeks an injunction to stop the early-morning deliveries that disturb her sleep. She files the request directly in court without first pursuing damages. Anika is the applicant who need not exhaust other remedies before requesting injunctive relief.
Select any source to read its text and confirm it supports the definition.
Aether Technologies applies for a building permit to expand its data center. The city demands dedication of adjacent land for a public trail as a condition. When Aether rejects the demand, the city denies the permit. Aether, as the applicant, can challenge the denial under exactions standards.
Albert Allen completes his state bar character questionnaire. He omits prior residences and falsely states he served as a campus police officer. The bar committee discovers the inaccuracies and denies certification. Albert's conduct as the applicant supplies independent evidence of deficient moral character.
Adrian Aguilar files for bankruptcy to discharge student loans shortly before submitting his bar application. The character committee reviews the filing as part of its fitness inquiry. Adrian remains the applicant whose financial conduct may be weighed in the admission decision.
Antonio Alvarado, a married Yale student, seeks to obtain contraceptives through a campus clinic. State law prohibits distribution of such devices to married couples. Antonio brings suit as the applicant seeking to vindicate the underlying constitutional right.
No. The applicant may seek injunctive relief directly. The court compares the consequences of granting or denying the injunction without requiring exhaustion of other remedies.
Supporting sources
No. Refusal to issue a permit because the applicant rejects conditions lacking nexus or proportionality constitutes a taking. The exactions doctrine applies to such permit denials.
Supporting sources
Yes. Misstatements or omissions on the character questionnaire demonstrate lack of truthfulness. Such conduct supplies independent evidence supporting denial of certification.
Supporting sources
Yes. Discharge of student loans through bankruptcy may be weighed as evidence of irresponsibility. The inquiry must bear a rational relationship to fitness to practice law.
Supporting sources
The applicant initiates the request for rezoning or a variance. The legislative body evaluates the request under statutory procedures and standards tied to public welfare.
Supporting sources
…there is an end, if not a peremptory mandamus is awarded. The discretion of a court is a legal discretion, not arbitrary; if the applicant makes out a proper case the court are bound to grant it. Mr. Lee read the affidavit of Hazen Kimball stating that on 3 March 1801 he was a clerk in the Department of State and that there…