Also known as: plenarily · full · complete jurisdiction
Written by attorneys · grounded in primary & secondary sources — see below
An adjective describing authority, proceedings, or sessions that are full, complete, and without limitation or reservation.
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Preston Pratt contracted to sell land to Pioneer Energy. At closing the buyer discovered an unreleased lien. The court exercised plenary authority over the contract dispute and permitted the buyer to rescind because the title failed the marketability standard.
Peter Park received settlement proceeds belonging to a client. The disciplinary board conducted a plenary review of the trust account records and found that Park had failed to deliver the funds promptly as required.
Pavel Petrov completed every obligation under a supply agreement with Platinum Partners. A court with plenary jurisdiction over the contract action held that full performance discharged the duty and dismissed the breach claim.
Piper Patel and Premier Manufacturing executed an oral lease exceeding the statute of frauds period. After the tenant took possession and paid rent, the court applied plenary authority and recognized a periodic tenancy under the lease terms except duration.
Phoebe Park obtained a state court judgment and sought enforcement in federal court. The federal court gave the judgment plenary effect under the statute after proper authentication by the state clerk and seal.
Pierre Poulin proposed a self-dealing deal with Pinnacle Holdings. After full disclosure the other partners gave plenary authorization, allowing the transaction despite the loyalty violation that would otherwise have occurred.
Plenary means full, complete, and without limitation. It describes authority that covers all matters within its scope rather than being partial or restricted.
A plenary hearing is one intended to have the attendance of all members or participants and addresses every relevant issue completely rather than limiting the scope to preliminary matters.
A court exercises plenary authority when it possesses full power to decide all aspects of the dispute, including whether performance has discharged duties or whether title meets marketability standards.
…preceding August by the Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws. 58 A. B. A. J. 380 (1972). We set forth the Act in full in the margin.[^maj-40] The Conference has appended an enlightening Prefatory Note.[^maj-41] VII Three reasons have been advanced to explain historically the enactment of criminal…