Dictionary of Law
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contractor :: legal definition


Contractor - n. 1) a person or entity that enters into a contract. 2) commonly, a person or entity that agrees to construct a building or to provide or install specialized portions of the construction. The party responsible for the overall job is a "general contractor," and those he/she/it hires to construct or install certain parts (electrical, plumbing, roofing, tile-laying, etc.) are "subcontractors," who are responsible to the general contractor and not to the property owner. An owner must be sure that the subcontractors are paid by the general contractor by demanding and receiving proof of payment, or the subcontractor will be entitled to payment from the owner based on a mechanic's lien against the property. 3) a person who performs services but is not an employee, often called an "independent contractor."

See also: contract independent contractor mechanic's lien subcontractor and Related Law Terms ↓


Related Law Terms

bailor :: n. a person who leaves goods in the custody of ano ... is found. See also: bailee bailment
bankruptcy :: n. a federal system of statutes and courts which p ... y proceedings trustee in bankruptcy
care :: n. in law, to be attentive, prudent and vigilant. ... she is involved. See also: careless
constructive notice :: n. a fiction that a person got notice even though ... personally. See also: constructive
corporation :: n. an organization formed with state governmental ... ation public corporation securities
d.b.a. :: n. short for "doing business as," when a person or ... that is registered with the state.
default :: 1) n. failure to respond to a summons and complain ... default judgment notice of default
disfigure :: v. to cause permanent change in a person's body, p ... . See also: damages general damages
ejusdem generis :: (eh-youse-dem generous) v adj. Latin for "of the s ... t was of land-based transportation.
executor :: n. the person appointed to administer the estate o ... sed decedent executrix probate will
fraud :: n. the intentional use of deceit, a trick or some ... audulent conveyance intrinsic fraud
general appearance :: n. an attorney's representation of a client in cou ... case. See also: special appearance
general partner :: n. 1) usually one of the owners and operators of a ... ted partnership partner partnership
grace period :: n. a time stated in a contract in which a late pay ... the contract, i.e. your insurance.
independent contractor :: n. a person or business which performs services fo ... ue independence. See also: employee
installment contract :: n. an agreement in which payments of money, delive ... n contract failure of consideration
invitee :: n. a person who comes onto another's property, pre ... ail employees. See also: negligence
joint and several :: adj. referring to a debt or a judgment for neglige ... ution contributory negligence joint
lawsuit :: n. a common term for a legal action by one person ... See also: case cause of action suit
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
lien :: n. any official claim or charge against property o ... ord's lien mechanic's lien mortgage
living trust :: n. sometimes called an inter vivos (Latin for "wit ... thrift clause trust trustee trustor
mechanic's lien :: n. the right of a craftsman, laborer, supplier, ar ... ll sue for the debt. See also: lien
mortgage :: n. a document in which the owner pledges his/her/i ... losure notice of default trust deed
negligence :: n. failure to exercise the care toward others whic ... gence per se res ipsa loquitur tort
notice :: n. 1) information, usually in writing in all legal ... Thirty-day notice three-day notice
partner :: n. 1) one of the co-owners and investors in a "par ... ner limited partnership partnership
partnership :: n. a business enterprise entered into for profit w ... partnership partner silent partner
party :: n. 1) one of the participants in a lawsuit or othe ... y real party in interest respondent
perfect :: : (with stress on the second syllable) v. 1) to co ... perfect. See also: mechanic's lien
private road :: n. a road or driveway on privately owned property, ... ng. See also: prescriptive easement
product liability :: n. the responsibility of manufacturers, distributo ... e known. See also: warrant warranty
promissory note :: n. a written promise by a person (variously called ... lso: interest obligee obligor usury
representative :: 1) n. an agent. 2) n. in probate law, a generic te ... of the conditions at the job site."
restraint on alienation :: n. an attempt in a deed or will to prevent the sal ... enant rule against perpetuities use
resulting trust :: n. a trust implied by law (as determined by a cour ... See also: constructive trust trust
servant :: n. an employee of an employer, technically one who ... ndent contractor master and servant
special appearance :: n. the representation by an attorney of a person i ... anged. See also: general appearance
statute of limitations :: n. a law which sets the maximum period which one c ... ies. See also: demurrer laches toll
straw man :: n. 1) a person to whom title to property or a busi ... a trail will mislead hunting dogs).
subcontractor :: n. a person or business which has a contract (as a ... ependent contractor mechanic's lien
subject to :: adj. referring to the acquisition of title to real ... : assumption deed of trust mortgage
surety :: n. a guarantor of payment or performance if anothe ... or entity. See also: bond guarantor
title :: n. 1) ownership of real property or personal prope ... ink slip real property title search
trust :: n. an entity created to hold assets for the benefi ... testamentary trust trustee trustor

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 - C

C.I.F. :: n. the total of cost, insurance and freight charge ... aid on goods purchased and shipped.
calendar :: 1) n. the list of cases to be called for trial bef ... clerk of the court calendars cases.
calendar call :: n. the hearing at which a case is set for trial. ... g at which a case is set for trial.
call :: n. the demand by a corporation that a stockholder ... assessment on shares already owned.
calumny :: n. the intentional and generally vicious false acc ... 's reputation. See also: defamation
cancel :: v. to cross out, annul, destroy, void and/or resci ... g, so that it cannot be used again.
cancellation :: cancel ... cancel
caning :: n. a punishment for crimes employed in certain Asi ... last century in the United States.
canon law :: n. laws and regulations over ecclesiastical (churc ... nduct with no religious connection.
cap :: n. slang for maximum, as the most interest that ca ... "adjustable rate" promissory note.
capital :: 1) n. from Latin for caput, meaning "head," the ba ... count capital assets stock in trade
capital account :: n. the record which lists all basic assets of a bu ... or the alleged value of good will.
capital assets :: n. equipment, property, and funds owned by a busin ... . See also: capital capital account
capital expenditure :: n. payment by a business for basic assets such as ... y intended to improve productivity.
capital gains :: n. the difference between the sales price and the ... so: basis delayed exchange exchange
capital investment :: capital expenditure ... capital expenditure
capital offense :: n. any criminal charge which is punishable by the ... . See also: bail capital punishment
capital punishment :: n. execution (death) for a capital offense. The U. ... or death. See also: capital offense
capital stock :: n. the original amount paid by investors into a co ... price. See also: corporation stock
capitalization :: n. 1) the act of counting anticipated earnings and ... for conversion into capital assets.