1. Has a duty to; more broadly, is required to (the requester shall send notice) (notice shall be sent). • This is the mandatory sense that drafters typically intend and that courts typically uphold. [Cases: Statutes 227. C.J.S. Statutes §§ 362–369.]
2. Should (as often interpreted by courts) (all claimants shall request mediation).
3. May (no person shall enter the building without first signing the roster). • When a negative word such as not or no precedes shall (as in the example in angle brackets), the word shall often means may. What is being negated is permission, not a requirement.
4. Will (as a future-tense verb) (the corporation shall then have a period of 30 days to object).
5. Is entitled to (the secretary shall be reimbursed for all expenses). • Only sense 1 is acceptable under strict standards of drafting.
