Dictionary of Law
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nuisance :: legal definition


Nuisance - n. the unreasonable, unwarranted and/or unlawful use of property, which causes inconvenience or damage to others, either to individuals and/or to the general public. Nuisances can include noxious smells, noise, burning, misdirection of water onto other property, illegal gambling, unauthorized collections of rusting autos, indecent signs and pictures on businesses and a host of bothersome activities. Where illegal they can be abated (changed, repaired or improved) by criminal or quasi-criminal charges. If a nuisance interferes with another person's quiet or peaceful or pleasant use of his/her property, it may be the basis for a lawsuit for damages and/or an injunction ordering the person or entity causing the nuisance to desist (stop) or limit the activity (such as closing down an activity in the evening).

See also: public nuisance and Related Law Terms ↓


Related Law Terms

abandoned property :: n. property left behind (often by a tenant) intent ... -use. See also: abandon abandonment
abandonment :: n. the act of intentionally and permanently giving ... : abandon abandoned property patent
abeyance :: 1) n. when the owner- ship of property has not bee ... 2) legal jargon for "undetermined."
after-acquired property :: n. 1) personal or real property acquired by a debt ... lso: bankruptcy secured transaction
agency :: n. the relationship of a person (called the agent) ... ondeat superior scope of employment
arrest :: v. 1) to take or hold a suspected criminal with le ... anda warning probable cause warrant
assign :: 1) v. to transfer to another person any asset such ... en shows up in contracts and wills.
attractive nuisance doctrine :: n. a legal doctrine which makes a person negligent ... ch make negligence harder to prove.
bankruptcy :: n. a federal system of statutes and courts which p ... y proceedings trustee in bankruptcy
Bill of Rights :: n. the first ten amendments to the federal Constit ... ved to the states or to the people.
canon law :: n. laws and regulations over ecclesiastical (churc ... nduct with no religious connection.
care :: n. in law, to be attentive, prudent and vigilant. ... she is involved. See also: careless
cease and desist order :: n. an order of a court or government agency to a p ... ing which would damage the ecology.
challenge for cause :: n. a request that a prospective juror be dismissed ... remptory challenge venire voir dire
chattel :: n. an item of personal property which is movable, ... ments). See also: personal property
claim :: 1) v. to make a demand for money, for property, or ... the government, it is lawsuit time.
common property :: n. 1) real property owned by "tenants in common," ... e, like parks and national forests.
comparative negligence :: n. a rule of law applied in accident cases to dete ... utory negligence damages negligence
conspiracy :: n. when people work together by agreement to commi ... d conspiracy. See also: conspirator
contributory negligence :: n. a doctrine of common law that if a person was i ... : comparative negligence negligence
controlled substance :: n. a drug which has been declared by federal or st ... those who have used the substances.
conversion :: n. a civil wrong (tort) in which one converts anot ... the crime of theft. See also: theft
corporation :: n. an organization formed with state governmental ... ation public corporation securities
covenant :: 1) n. a promise in a written contract or a deed of ... o compete deed restrictive covenant
d.b.a. :: n. short for "doing business as," when a person or ... that is registered with the state.
damages :: n. the amount of money which a plaintiff (the pers ... liquidated damages special damages
dangerous weapon :: n. any gun, knife, sword, crossbow, slingshot or o ... igence and possibly win a judgment.
descent :: n. the rules of inheritance established by law in ... on inheritance intestate succession
devisee :: n. a person who receives a gift of real property b ... will. See also: beneficiary legatee
direct and proximate cause :: n. the immediate reason damage was caused by an ac ... so: cause complaint proximate cause
disfigure :: v. to cause permanent change in a person's body, p ... . See also: damages general damages
double jeopardy :: n. placing someone on trial a second time for an o ... that occurred thirty years earlier.
easement :: n. the right to use the real property of another f ... rstandings at the time of creation.
eminent domain :: n. the power of a governmental entity (federal, st ... ngs. See also: condemn condemnation
exchange :: 1) v. to trade or barter property, goods and/or se ... ins tax. See also: delayed exchange
foreclosure :: n. the system by which a party who has loaned mone ... ced sale mortgage notice of default
fraud :: n. the intentional use of deceit, a trick or some ... audulent conveyance intrinsic fraud
future interest :: n. a right to receive either real property or pers ... maturity (age 18) or upon marriage.
grandfather clause :: n. 1) a clause in a statute or zoning ordinance (p ... Such laws are now unconstitutional.
guardian :: n. a person who has been appointed by a judge to t ... torship. See also: conservator ward
hit and run :: n. the crime of a driver of a vehicle who is invol ... , and then walks back to the scene.
implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing :: n. a general assumption of the law of contracts, t ... -long employment. See also: implied
in personam :: adj. (in purr-soh-nam) from Latin for "directed to ... here. See also: in rem jurisdiction
incompetent :: adj. 1) referring to a person who is not able to m ... n incompetency incompetent evidence
indenture :: n. a type of real property deed in which two parti ... bind a person to work for another.
indictment :: n. a charge of a felony (serious crime) voted by a ... ictable offense preliminary hearing
injury :: n. any harm done to a person by the acts or omissi ... nction injunctive relief negligence
inquest :: n. 1) an investigation and/or a hearing held by th ... surrogate judge. See also: coroner
insanity :: n. mental illness of such a severe nature that a p ... M'Naughten rule temporary insanity
insurance :: n. a contract (insurance policy) in which the insu ... t clause Workers' Compensation Acts
interest :: n. 1) any and all, partial or total right to prope ... nal property real property standing
intervening cause :: n. an event which occurs between the original impr ... cause negligence superseding cause
invasion of privacy :: n. the intrusion into the personal life of another ... randeis. See also: right to privacy
invitee :: n. a person who comes onto another's property, pre ... ail employees. See also: negligence
justice :: n. 1) fairness. 2) moral rightness. 3) a scheme or ... e appellate courts. See also: court
last clear chance :: n. a rule of law in determining responsibility for ... contributory negligence negligence
lawsuit :: n. a common term for a legal action by one person ... See also: case cause of action suit
lease :: 1) n. a written agreement in which the owner of pr ... triple net lease unlawful detainer
legatee :: n. a person or organization receiving a gift of an ... eficiary devise devisee legacy will
liability :: n. one of the most significant words in the field ... bility joint tortfeasors negligence
libel :: 1) n. to publish in print (including pictures), wr ... libel per se public figure slander
license :: 1) n. governmental permission to perform a particu ... eement. See also: licensee licensor
life estate :: n. the right to use or occupy real property for on ... hter, Sadie, will own the property.
literary property :: n. the writings of an author which entitles him/he ... as copyrighted. See also: copyright
long-arm statute :: n. law which gives a local state court jurisdictio ... rt jurisdiction over the defendant.
loss of use :: n. the inability to use an automobile, premises or ... ding or premises. See also: damages
manslaughter :: n. the unlawful killing of another person without ... laughter. See also: homicide murder
merger :: n. 1) in corporate law, the joining together of tw ... and taking one, and wife the other.
misappropriation :: n. the intentional, illegal use of the property or ... mbezzlement fiduciary larceny theft
mortgage :: n. a document in which the owner pledges his/her/i ... losure notice of default trust deed
motion for a summary judgment :: n. a written request for a judgment in the moving ... strict procedures. See also: motion
negligence :: n. failure to exercise the care toward others whic ... gence per se res ipsa loquitur tort
no fault insurance :: n: a type of automobile insurance required of car ... ling lawsuits. See also: negligence
non-conforming use :: n. the existing use (residential, commercial, agri ... eneral plan grandfathered in zoning
notice :: n. 1) information, usually in writing in all legal ... Thirty-day notice three-day notice
notorious possession :: n. occupation of real property or holding personal ... e is as if the person is the owner.
personal effects :: n. things which include clothes, cosmetics and ite ... e, Susannah"). See also: personalty
pledge :: v. to deposit personal property as security for a ... ise to do something. See also: pawn
possibility of a reverter :: n. the potential that the title to a real property ... further issue. See also: reversion
pour over will :: n. a will of a person who has already executed a t ... invalid trust. See also: trust will
power of attorney :: n. a written document signed by a person giving an ... y, as in a real estate transaction.
prescription :: n. the method of acquiring an easement upon anothe ... ty. See also: prescriptive easement
private nuisance :: n. the interference with an individual's peaceful ... See also: nuisance public nuisance
probable cause :: n. sufficient reason based upon known facts to bel ... of Rights search search and seizure
process :: n. in law, the legal means by which a person is re ... service of process subpena summons
promissory note :: n. a written promise by a person (variously called ... lso: interest obligee obligor usury
property :: n. anything that is owned by a person or entity. P ... rty real property separate property
property damage :: n. injury to real or personal property through ano ... l value. See also: damages property
proximate cause :: n. a happening which results in an event, particul ... also: intervening cause negligence
quitclaim deed :: n. a real property deed which transfers (conveys) ... also: convey deed grant deed title
real property :: n. 1) all land, structures, firmly attached and in ... onal property real estate reversion
rental value :: n. the amount which would be paid for rental of si ... alimony to be paid. See also: rent
rights :: n. 1) plural of right, which is the collection of ... evidence. See also: Miranda warning
search and seizure :: n. examination of a person's premises (residence, ... robable cause search search warrant
search warrant :: n. a written order by a judge which permits a law ... ble cause search search and seizure
seized :: (seised) n. 1) having ownership, commonly used in ... by force. See also: seisin seizure
self-defense :: n. the use of reasonable force to protect oneself ... ndalism. See also: assault homicide
service :: n. 1) paid work by another person, either by contr ... ersonal services service of process
servient estate :: n. real property which has an easement or other us ... See also: dominant estate easement
sexual harassment :: n. unwanted sexual approaches (including touching, ... emale employees. See also: nuisance
slander :: n. oral defamation, in which someone tells one or ... . See also: defamation fair comment
spot zoning :: n. a provision in a general plan which benefits a ... . See also: grandfathered in zoning
statute of limitations :: n. a law which sets the maximum period which one c ... ies. See also: demurrer laches toll
tax :: n. a governmental assessment (charge) upon propert ... unified estate and gift tax use tax
tenancy in common :: n. title to property (usually real property, but i ... on. See also: joint tenancy tenancy
theft :: n. the generic term for all crimes in which a pers ... rglary embezzlement larceny robbery
title :: n. 1) ownership of real property or personal prope ... ink slip real property title search
tort :: n. from French for "wrong," a civil wrong or wrong ... nce slander trespass wrongful death
transfer :: n. 1) the movement of property from one person or ... son or shipment to continue travel.
transferred intent :: n. in both criminal and tort (civil wrong) law, wh ... hit upon Truehart. See also: intent
trespass :: n. entering another person's property without perm ... for an illegal purpose is a crime.
unreasonable search and seizure :: n. search of an individual or his/her premises (in ... e probable cause search and seizure
use :: n. the right to enjoy the benefits of real propert ... ay it is only of academic interest.
vicarious liability :: n. sometimes called "imputed liability," attachmen ... r or policeman. See also: liability
will :: n. a written document which leaves the estate of t ... will and testament probate testator
wiretap :: n. using an electronic device to listen in on tele ... invasion of privacy probable cause
witness :: 1) n. a person who testifies under oath in a trial ... lso: deposition evidence trial will

Popular Law Searches

legal definition ministerial act :: n. an act, particularly of a governmental employee ... exercising any individual judgment.
chancery legal definition :: n. a court that can order acts performed. Today ch ... ts in most states. See also: equity
testamentary disposition legal definition :: n. how the terms of a will divide the testator's ( ... named beneficiaries. See also: will
contract of sufferance :: n. a "hold-over" tenancy after a lease has expired ... y tenancy at will unlawful detainer
forthwith legal definition :: adv. a term found in contracts, court orders and s ... mediacy, with no excuses for delay.
forthwith definition legal :: adv. a term found in contracts, court orders and s ... mediacy, with no excuses for delay.
what is to wit in a legal contract :: prep. that is to say. Example: "the passengers in ... tty Bumgartner and Sherry Younger."
mirror wills legal definition :: n. the wills of a husband and wife which are ident ... d each names the other as executor.
clean hands doctrine latin :: n. a rule of law that a person coming to court wit ... ices. See also: affirmative defense
sine qua non only relates to contract law :: (see-nay kwah nahn) prep. Latin for "without which ... qua non of the injury to Playmate.

Other Law Terms - N

N.O.V. :: adj. shorthand acronym of Latin for non obstante v ... notwithstanding the verdict verdic
National Labor Relations Board :: n. an independent regulatory commission created in ... see union and organizing elections.
natural law :: n. 1) standards of conduct derived from traditiona ... eated by mankind through the state.
natural person :: n. a real human being, as distinguished from a cor ... ated at law as a fictitious person.
necessary :: adj., adv. 1) essen- tial. 2) less forcefully, it ... nient, useful or making good sense.
necessary inference :: n. 1) a conclusion militated by reason and logic a ... nown facts. 2) unavoidable meaning.
necessary party :: n. a person or entity whose interests will be affe ... o: indispensable party proper party
negative declaration :: n. a finding by a city council or other local gove ... so: EIR environmental impact report
negative pregnant :: n. a denial of an allegation in which a person act ... suse, just the amount and the date.
negligence :: n. failure to exercise the care toward others whic ... gence per se res ipsa loquitur tort
negligence per se :: (purr say) n. negligence due to the violation of a ... riving. See also: negligence per se
negligent :: adj., adv. careless in not fulfilling responsibili ... esponsibility. See also: negligence
negotiable instrument :: n. check, promissory note, bill of exchange, secur ... bearer paper bill of exchange check
negotiation :: n. 1) the transfer of a check, promissory note, bi ... te. See also: negotiable instrument
net :: : n., adj. the amount of money or value remaining ... or net estate. See also: net estate
net estate :: n. the remaining estate of a person who has died, ... alue. See also: estate tax gift tax
new matter :: n. newly claimed facts or legal issues raised (bro ... ee also: affirmative defense answer
next friend :: n. a person (often a relative) who voluntarily hel ... filed. See also: guardian ad litem
next of kin :: n. 1) the nearest blood relatives of a person who ... See also: descent and distribution
nihil :: (ni [as in it]-hill) n. from Latin for nothing. ... t]-hill) n. from Latin for nothing.