Acting (law) facts for kids

Sometimes, a person might be in a job or position for a short time. They are not there permanently. This is called acting in a position. It happens when the permanent person is not available. Maybe the job is new, or the usual person is away. They might be sick, or not yet chosen.

Here are some examples of acting positions:

• Acting mayor
• Acting governor
• Acting president
• Acting prime minister
• Acting President of the United States

Acting in Business

Big companies often plan for what happens if a leader leaves suddenly. This is called a succession plan. It helps them decide who will be the acting CEO (Chief Executive Officer). This person takes over until a new permanent CEO is found. For example, a senior director on the company's board might step in. They would handle the CEO's duties for a while.

Acting in Politics

In politics, you might hear about an acting mayor or acting president. These officials take on the role temporarily. Sometimes, they do not have all the same powers as the permanent official. Often, the acting person is the deputy or a senior helper. Being chosen for an acting role shows that others trust that person. It often means they might be considered for the permanent job later.

Legal Rules for Acting Roles

Rules in Commonwealth Countries

In countries like Australia and Canada, which are part of the Commonwealth, there are rules for ministers. These rules help decide when a minister is acting for a government department. It ensures things run smoothly even when someone is temporarily in charge.

Rules in the United States

Older law books like Black's Law Dictionary describe "acting" as someone doing a job they don't officially own. They are just filling in. The rules for appointing acting officials in the US are often covered by a law. This law is called the Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998 (FVRA). It helps fill empty positions in government agencies.

Images for kids

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  A robot representing a temporary helper.

See also

In Spanish: Administración interina para niños

• Interim (disambiguation)
• Regent