Quorum

Of whom. This, the genitive plural of qui, is used as an English substantive. Thus employed, it signifies the number of persons belonging to a legisla^ five, corporate, or other body, whose presence is necessary for the transaction of business by such body. The number in each case is usually fixed by some constitution, statute, or rule. Among the justices of the peace appointed by the king's commission there were usually some designated as more eminent for their skill and discretion than others, one or some of whom, on special occasions, the commission expressly required should be present, and without his or their presence the others could not act. These were hence termed justices of the quorum, from the language of the commission, which ran thus: " quorum aiiquem vesttrum A B, C D, &c., unum esse volumus " (i.e., of wiiom we wish some one of you, A B, C D, &c., to be present). The word is used in a similar sense in the following passage: " By charter 2 Edw. IV., the mayor, recorder, and aldermen that have been mayors, shall be conservators of the peace within the city; and they, or four of them, quorum the mayor to be one, shall be justices of oyer and terminer there." Brown. Wliere a statute constitutes a board of commissioners or other officers to decide any matter, but makes no provision that a majority shall constitute a quorum, all must be present to hear and consult, although a majority may then decide.

Withnell V. Gartham, 6 Dumf. ^ E. 388; Grindley V. Barker, 1 Bos. f P. 229.

Quorum, as used in the Ohio township act of 1853, means a majority of the township trustees.

State v. Wilkesville, 20 Ohio St. 288.