Mandate

n.
  1. An official or authoritative command, order, or authorization from a superior official to a subordinate; an order or injunction; a commission; a judicial precept.
  2. (Canon Law) A rescript of the pope, commanding an ordinary collator to put the person therein named in possession of the first vacant benefice in his collation.
  3. (Scots Law) A contract by which one employs another to manage any business for him. By the Roman law, it must have been gratuitous.