Ad hoc is a Latin phrase meaning “for this purpose”. The phrase generally signifies a solution that is intended to address a specific problem and which cannot be adapted to other purposes. Ad hoc can also connote a makeshift solution, inadequate planning or improvised events.
Ad hoc committee – Ad hoc is also used to describe a temporary committee in an organization, or a legislative or governmental body. The U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate use ad hoc committees or a temporary joint committee on behalf of both chambers. For instance, all House-Senate conference committees created to reconcile differences in legislation passed by both chambers are considered ad hoc committees. Other ad hoc committees may be created for a one-time purpose such as the invesigation of a scandal, or to focus on examining a specific issue. Typically, an ad hoc committee is one which is formed to deal with a particular issue, and which is created with a deadline by which it must complete its work and disband. Such committees provide temporary measures to solve problems that are not resolved by ordinary processes of the organization to which they belong. For examle the General Agreement of Tariffs and Trade (“GATT”) was controlled by an ad-hoc committee before the World Trade Organization (“WTO”) was established.
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