Enterprise risk & controls · Core
Legal risk
Also called: legal exposure, climate legal risk
ELI5
Risk arising from laws, contracts, disputes or unenforceable rights.
Used in conversation
“Do not describe legal risk as agreed until the operative document says so.”
Pitch context
You will see “Legal risk” in board papers, contracts, policies, risk registers and compliance reports when the discussion reaches enterprise risk & controls.
Why it matters: In enterprise risk & controls, a loose definition can change rights, obligations, approval, disclosure or enforceability.
Caution
Meaning, enforceability and required process vary by jurisdiction and agreement; this definition is not legal advice.
Sources & evidence · 6
Direct term-level sources and supporting source families.
- OECD — G20/OECD Principles of Corporate Governance 2023Direct source · institutional · checked 2026-08-16
- National Institute of Standards and Technology — Computer Security Resource Center GlossaryDirect source · primary · checked 2026-08-16
- IFRS Foundation / International Sustainability Standards Board — IFRS S1 and IFRS S2 Sustainability Disclosure StandardsDirect source · primary · checked 2026-08-16
- International Organization for Standardization — ISO Net Zero Guidelines and related workDirect source · institutional · checked 2026-08-16
- U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission — EDGAR and filing resourcesSupporting source family · primary · checked 2026-08-16
- GHG Protocol — Standards and GuidanceSupporting source family · institutional · checked 2026-08-16