An obligation is a duty to do - or not do - something. In law, that could mean sticking to the terms of a contract, following a specific regulation, or carrying out a legal responsibility you've agreed to.
You’ll come across legal obligations in all sorts of settings – whether you're running a business, managing employees, signing a tenancy agreement or dealing with a personal matter like divorce. Some are written into contracts (called contractual obligations), while others are set by law, such as those in employment legislation or the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
If someone doesn’t meet their obligation, the other party may be entitled to take legal action. So it’s always worth checking what you’ve agreed to – and getting advice early if anything’s unclear.