charter

(law) (a) An instrument issued by a government to the governed people, a specific part of the people, a corporation, a colony, or a dependency confirming or conferring described rights, liberties, or powers. (b) A legislative act that creates a business corporation or that creates and defines a corporate franchise.
(shipping) (a) A charter party or charter agreement is a lease or agreement to hire an airplane, vessel, or other means of conveyance to transport goods on a designated voyage to one or more locations. (b) A gross charter is a charter agreement by which the shipowner furnishes personnel and equipment and incurs other expenses, such as port costs. (c) A bareboat charter is a charter agreement under which an individual or legal entity charters a vessel without a crew, assumes full possession and control of the vessel, and is generally invested with temporary ownership powers.