Impute Legal Meaning and Definition

Here is a simplified definition of the legal term Impute.

Impute (verb)

1. To allocate or attribute an action, occurrence, or condition to a specific cause or source, typically one that carries responsibility or liability. For instance, a business success can be imputed or attributed to the hard work of the employees.

2. In law, to ascribe legal responsibility or credit to a person or entity based on their relationship with another person or entity, such as parents to their children or employers to their employees. In these situations, one party is held accountable for the action or inaction of the other due to their relational status.