Purposes — Us Code Code § 70502

Us Code Code § 70502 — Purposes. Reproduced from the official United States Code, with a citation summary, verification link, and related provisions.

§ 70502. Purposes

The purposes of the corporation are—

(1) to receive and hold property, including by gift, devise, or grant, and to invest, administer, and dispose of the property without restrictions applicable to trustees or trust funds;

(2) to apply its income and any part of its principal exclusively to educational, charitable, scientific, or literary purposes—

(A) to advance the science of jurisprudence;

(B) to uphold high standards for the Federal judiciary and attorneys representing the United States Government;

(C) to promote and improve the administration of justice, including the study of means for the improved handling of the legal business of the departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of the Government;

(D) to facilitate the cultivation and diffusion of knowledge and understanding of the law and the promotion of the study of the law and the science of jurisprudence and research in jurisprudence, through the maintenance of a law library, the establishment of seminars, lectures, and studies devoted to the law, and the publication of addresses, essays, treatises, reports, and other literary works by students, practitioners, and teachers of the law; and

(E) to provide for the acquisition, preservation, and exhibition of rare books and documents, sculptures, paintings, and other objects of art and historical interest relating to the law, the courts, and the legal profession; and


(3) to do any other acts necessary or incident to the accomplishment of these purposes.

(Pub. L. 105–225, Aug. 12, 1998, 112 Stat. 1351.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised

Section

Source (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)
70502 36:573. Aug. 24, 1954, ch. 911, §3, 68 Stat. 797.

Before clause (1), the word "objects" is omitted as included in "purposes".

Clause (1) is substituted for 36:573(1) to eliminate unnecessary words.

In clause (2), the words "and if the corporation so decides, all or" and "or any of them" are omitted as unnecessary. In subclause (D), the words "in jurisprudence" are substituted for "therein" for clarity.

In clause (3), the words "any other acts" are substituted for "any and all things" for consistency in the revised title.

About This Section

36 U.S.C. § 70502 is part of Title 36 of the United States Code. The United States Code is the official codification of federal statutes maintained by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives. Congress amends the Code through new public laws, which are eventually incorporated into the relevant title.

This section may be cited in legal writing as 36 U.S.C. § 70502. For the most current official text, including any recent amendments, use the official source links below. Do not rely on this page as the sole authority for legal citation or litigation.

How to Read This Statute

Statutes are organized by title, chapter, section, and subsection. Pay attention to words like "shall," "may," "and," and "or," because they determine whether a requirement is mandatory or permissive and whether multiple conditions must all be met. Historical notes and amendments often appear at the end of a section.

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This page is intended for research and educational use. Lawyers, students, journalists, and compliance professionals can use it as a starting point, but should always verify the current text through an official government source before relying on it for legal advice, filings, or compliance decisions.

Sources

Source: official Us Code text · Last verified 2026-08-27

At a glance

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Statute text is transcribed from the official United States Code. Confirm it against the primary source before relying on it:

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed Us Code attorney.

Common questions

What is the source of United States Code § 70502?

The text above is transcribed from the United States Code, the codified statutes of Us Code. The official publisher link appears under "Verify the text" on this page.

What subject does United States Code § 70502 address?

It addresses "Purposes". Read the section together with the surrounding provisions listed under "Nearby provisions" for the full picture.

Is United States Code § 70502 still in force?

Statutes are amended, repealed, and renumbered every session. Confirm the current version at the official Us Code source before relying on this text.

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