Guidance Document

/ˈɡaɪdəns ˈdɒkjʊmənt/

Definitions

  1. (n.) A nonbinding official publication issued by a governmental or regulatory agency to clarify laws, regulations, or policies and assist compliance.
    The agency released a guidance document to explain new environmental standards.
  2. (n.) An advisory text that interprets or suggests policy implementations without the force of law.
    The guidance document outlines best practices for data privacy.

Forms

  • guidance document
  • guidance documents

Commentary

Guidance documents help interpret legal requirements but are not legally binding; drafters should clearly distinguish these from enforceable rules to avoid confusion.

This glossary is for general informational and educational purposes only. Definitions are jurisdiction-agnostic but reflect terminology and concepts primarily drawn from English and American legal traditions. Nothing herein constitutes legal advice or creates a lawyer-client relationship. Users should consult qualified counsel for advice on specific matters or jurisdictions.

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