Apprenticeship
in law, a contract by which a person who understands APPRENTICESHIP, in law, a consome art, trade, or business, and called master, undertakes to teach the same to another person, commonly a minor, and called the apprentice, who, on his part, is bound to serve the master, during a definite period of time, in such art, trade, or business. At common law, an infant may bind himself apprentice by indenture, because it is for his benefit.
But this contract, on account of its liability to abuse, has been regulated by statute in the United States, and is not binding upon the infant unless entered into by him with the consent of the parent or guardian, or by the parent or guardian for him, with his consent. The contract need not specify the particular trade to be taught, but is sufficient if it pation or branch of business as shall be found best suited to the genius or capacity of the apprentice. This contract must generally be entered into by indenture or deed. The master must not abuse his authority, either by bad treatment, or by subjecting his apprentice to menial employments unconnected with the business he has to learn; but he may correct him with moderation for negligence and misbehavior. He cannot dismiss his apprentice except by consent of all the parties to the indenture. He cannot remove the apprentice out of the State under the laws of which he was apprenticed, unless such removal is provided for in the contract, or may be implied in its nature; and if he do so remove him, the contract ties to the indenture. He cannot remove the apprentice out of the State under the prentice is not capable in law of consent ing to his own discharge. After the apprenticeship is at an end, the master cannot retain the apprentice on the ground that he has not fulfilled his contract, unless especially authorized by statute. An apprentice is bound to obey his master in all his lawful commands, take care of his property, and promote his interests, endeavor to learn his trade or business, and perform all the covenants in his indenture not contrary to law. He must not leave his master's service during the term of the apprenticeship.