What is required for someone to have legal capacity?

For an individual to have legal capacity, it is essential that they possess a sound mind and body. This means that a person must be mentally competent, understanding the nature and consequences of their actions, as well as physically capable of engaging in legal transactions.

Having a sound mind implies that the individual can comprehend and weigh the options involved in the situation, and is thus able to make informed decisions. Being in sound body refers to the individual's physical ability to engage in legal agreements or contracts without any impairments affecting their capacity.

This component forms the foundational basis for legal capacity as it ensures that individuals can handle their affairs and understand the commitments they undertake in legal contexts. Other factors, such as age of majority, good moral character, and legal representation, play roles in various legal aspects but do not singularly determine a person's legal capacity in the same direct manner as the requirement of being sound in mind and body.