Dictionary of Law
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
i.e. :: prep. abbreviation for id est, which is Latin for ... "e.g.," which means "for example."
illegal :: 1) adj. in violation of statute, regulation or ord ... . See also: alien illegal immigrant
illegal immigrant :: n. an alien (non-citizen) who has entered the Unit ... ion date of a visa. See also: alien
illusory promise :: n. an agreement to do something that is so indefin ... he may have thought was a contract.
immaterial :: adj. a commonly heard objection to introducing evi ... ons. See also: irrelevant objection
immediately :: adv. 1) at once. 2) in orders of the court or in c ... oon as can be done" without excuse.
immunity :: n. exemption from penalties, payments or legal req ... ws. See also: governmental immunity
impanel :: v. to select and install a jury. See also: impanel ... l a jury. See also: impaneling jury
impaneling :: n. the act of selecting a jury from the list of po ... e juror jury panel venire voir dire
impeach :: v. 1) to discredit the testimony of a witness by p ... ve been found guilty by the Senate.
impeachment :: n. 1) discrediting a witness by showing that he/sh ... the trial itself. See also: impeach
impleader :: n. a procedural device before trial in which a par ... than having two suits in a series.
implied :: adj., adv. referring to circumstances, conduct or ... nt implied consent implied warranty
implied consent :: n. consent when surrounding circumstances exist wh ... aybe" or "later." See also: implied
implied contract :: n. an agreement which is found to exist based on t ... : contract express contract implied
implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing :: n. a general assumption of the law of contracts, t ... -long employment. See also: implied
implied warranty :: n. an assumption at law that products are "merchan ... er. See also: caveat emptor implied
impossibility :: n. when an act cannot be performed due to nature, ... cel) a contract. See also: contract
impotence :: n. the male's inability to copulate. Impotence can ... eans inability to produce children.
impound :: v. 1) to collect funds, in addition to installment ... cases. See also: forfeit forfeiture
improvement :: n. any permanent structure on real property, or an ... g trees) which increases its value.
impute :: v. 1) to attach to a person responsibility (and th ... also. See also: vicarious liability
in absentia :: (in ab-sensh-ee-ah) adj. or adv. phrase. Latin for ... tin Bormann, Hitler's closest aide.
in camera :: adj. or adv. phrase. Latin for "in chambers." This ... he courtroom. See also: in chambers
in chambers :: adj. referring to discussions or hearings held in ... ed "in camera." See also: in camera
in extremis :: (in ex-tree-miss) adj. from Latin, facing imminent ... from Latin, facing imminent death.
in fee simple :: adj. referring to holding clear title to real prop ... property. See also: fee fee simple
in forma pauperis :: (in form-ah paw-purr-iss) adj. or adv. Latin for " ... poor defendants who have been sued.
in haec verba :: (in hike verb-ah)prep. Latin for "in these words," ... ading. See also: complaint pleading
in kind :: adj. referring to payment, distribution or substit ... . See also: distribution trust will
in lieu :: prep. instead. "In lieu taxes" are use taxes paid ... go through the foreclosure process.
in limine :: (in lim-in-ay) from Latin for "at the threshold," ... otion. See also: motion to suppress
in loco parentis :: prep. (in loh-coh pah-rent-iss) Latin for "instead ... 5, if and when he needs legal help.
in pari delicto :: adv. (in pah-ree dee-lick-toe) Latin for "in equal ... e proof is that both were involved.
in perpetuity :: adj. forever, as in one's right to keep the profit ... rofits from the land in perpetuity.
in personam :: adj. (in purr-soh-nam) from Latin for "directed to ... here. See also: in rem jurisdiction
in pro per :: adj. short for in propria persona. See also: in pr ... rsona. See also: in propria persona
in propria persona :: adj. from Latin "for one's self," acting on one's ... client and an ass for an attorney."
in re :: prep. short for "in regard to" or concerning. Ofte ... e Adoption of Marcus McGillicuddy."
in rem :: adj. from Latin "against or about a thing," referr ... cular person. See also: in personam
in terrorem clause :: (in tehr-roar-em)n. from Latin for "in fear," a pr ... e gift. See also: will will contest
in toto :: (in toe-toe)adj. Latin for "completely" or "in tot ... r "the case was dismissed in toto."
incapacity :: adj. 1) not being able to perform any gainful empl ... of the will. See also: incompetent
incest :: n. sexual intercourse between close blood relative ... ily genes carrying such weaknesses.
inchoate :: adj. or adv. referring to something which has begu ... ract which has not been formalized.
incidental beneficiary :: n. someone who obtains a benefit as the result of ... parent. See also: beneficiary trust
income :: n. money, goods or other economic benefit received ... ernment and most state governments.
income tax :: n. a tax on an individual's net income, after dedu ... al government. See also: income tax
incompatibility :: n. the state of a marriage in which the spouses no ... mpatible irreconcilable differences
incompatible :: adj. 1) inconsistent. 2) unmatching. 3) unable to ... ch other. See also: incompatibility
incompetency :: n. the condition of lacking the ability to handle ... and/or represented by an attorney.
incompetent :: adj. 1) referring to a person who is not able to m ... n incompetency incompetent evidence
incompetent evidence :: n. testimony, documents or things which one side a ... ns. See also: incompetent objection
incontrovertible evidence :: n. evidence introduced to prove a fact in a trial ... erson is not the parent of a child.
incorporate :: v. 1) to obtain an official charter or articles of ... te by reference incorporation stock
incorporate by reference :: v. to include language from another document or el ... uses of Action hereinabove stated."
incorporation :: n. the act of incorporating an organization. See a ... . See also: corporation incorporate
incorporeal :: adj. referring to a thing which is not physical, s ... his is distinguished from tangible.
incriminate :: v. to make a statement in which one admits that he ... d to information which would be so.
incumbrance :: n. See also: encumbrance ... n. See also: encumbrance
indecent exposure :: n. the crime of displaying one's genitalia to one ... d give the exposer a sexual charge.
indefeasible :: adj. cannot be altered or voided, usually in refer ... ce to an interest in real property.
indemnify :: v. to guarantee against any loss which another mig ... r harmless. See also: hold harmless
indemnity :: n. the act of making someone "whole" (give equal t ... or will occur. See also: indemnify
indenture :: n. a type of real property deed in which two parti ... bind a person to work for another.
independent contractor :: n. a person or business which performs services fo ... ue independence. See also: employee
indeterminate sentence :: n. the prison term imposed after conviction for a ... w in the future. See also: sentence
indicia :: n. (in-dish-yah) from Latin for "signs," circumsta ... . See also: circumstantial evidence
indictable offense :: n. a crime (offense) for which a Grand Jury rules ... o commit them. See also: indictment
indictment :: n. a charge of a felony (serious crime) voted by a ... ictable offense preliminary hearing
indigent :: 1) n. a person so poor and needy that he/she canno ... person who is very poor and needy.
indispensable party :: n. a person or entity which must be included in a ... tion to join Olivia as a defendant.
indorse :: v. ... v.
indorsement :: n. See also: endorsement ... n. See also: endorsement
infancy :: n. although the popular use of the word means the ... nority. See also: ad litem minority
inference :: n. a rule of logic applied to evidence in a trial, ... . See also: circumstantial evidence
information :: n. an accusation or criminal charge brought by the ... Jury indictment preliminary hearing
information and belief :: n. a phrase often used in legal pleadings (complai ... nswer complaint declaration perjury
informed consent :: n. agreement to do something or to allow something ... . See also: consent Miranda warning
infra :: prep. Latin for "below," this is legal shorthand t ... e document. See also: citation cite
infringement :: n. 1) a trespassing or illegal entering. 2) in the ... patent plagiarism royalty trademark
ingress :: 1) n. entrance. 2) n. the right to enter. 3) v. th ... property. See also: easement egress
inherit :: v. to receive all or a portion of the estate of an ... intestacy intestate succession will
inheritance :: n. whatever one receives upon the death of a relat ... intestacy intestate succession will
injunction :: n. a writ (order) issued by a court ordering someo ... t. See also: injunctive relief writ
injunctive relief :: n. a court-ordered act or prohibition against an a ... t injunction restraining order writ
injury :: n. any harm done to a person by the acts or omissi ... nction injunctive relief negligence
innocent :: adj. without guilt (not guilty). Usually the plea ... also: arraignment plea plea bargain
innuendo :: n. from Latin innuere, "to nod toward." In law it ... See also: defamation libel slander
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
insanity defense :: n. the claim of a defendant in a criminal prosecut ... e also: insanity temporary insanity
insertion :: n. the addition of language at a place within an e ... t unless initialled by all parties.
insider :: n. someone who has a position in a business or sto ... ange Act. See also: insider trading
insider trading :: n. the use of confidential information about a bus ... o catch insiders. See also: insider
insolvency :: n. 1) the condition of having more debts (liabilit ... the property. See also: bankruptcy
inspection of documents :: n. the right to examine and copy the opposing part ... evidence subpena duces tecum trial
installment contract :: n. an agreement in which payments of money, delive ... n contract failure of consideration
instruction :: n. an explanation of the law governing a case whic ... fore the jury begins deliberations.
instrument :: n. 1) a written legal document such as a contract, ... in an assault (a blunt instrument).
insufficient evidence :: n. a finding (decision) by a trial judge or an app ... l court. See also: evidence finding
insurance :: n. a contract (insurance policy) in which the insu ... t clause Workers' Compensation Acts
insured :: n. 1) the person or entity who will be compensated ... s go to others. See also: insurance
insurer :: n. an insurance company which agrees to pay someon ... lled a premium. See also: insurance
intangible property :: n. items such as stock in a company which represen ... t are not actual, tangible objects.
integration :: n. 1) adopting a writing as part of an agreement, ... , as well as racial mix in schools.
intent :: n. mental desire and will to act in a particular w ... ess homicide or other lesser crime.
inter alia :: (in-tur eh-lee-ah) prep. Latin for "among other th ... ime to file the action had passed."
inter se :: (in-tur say)prep. Latin for "among themselves," me ... or only to the trustees as a group.
inter vivos :: (in-tur veye-vohs) adj. Latin for "among the livin ... e will. See also: inter vivos trust
inter vivos trust :: n. a trust created by a writing (declaration of tr ... nter vivos testamentary trust trust
interest :: n. 1) any and all, partial or total right to prope ... nal property real property standing
interim order :: n. a temporary order of the court pending a hearin ... erlocutory decree restraining order
interlineation :: n. the act of writing between the lines of a docum ... document re-typed and then signed.
interlocutory :: adj. provisional and not intended to be final. Thi ... ary. See also: interlocutory decree
interlocutory decree :: n. a court judgment which is temporary and not int ... ppeared to waste the parties' time.
international law :: n. treaties between countries; multi-lateral agree ... all nations. See also: World Court
interpleader :: n. the procedure when two parties are involved in ... e claimants fight over it in court.
interrogation :: n. questioning of a suspect or witness by law enfo ... the poisonous tree Miranda warning
interrogatories :: n. a set of written questions to a party to a laws ... ing. See also: deposition discovery
interstate commerce :: n. commercial trade, business, movement of goods o ... and the I.C.C. may soon be history.
intervene :: v. to obtain the court's permission to enter into ... ntion joinder multiplicity of suits
intervening cause :: n. an event which occurs between the original impr ... cause negligence superseding cause
intervention :: n. the procedure under which a third party may joi ... rvene joinder multiplicity of suits
intestacy :: n. the condition of having died without a valid wi ... e. See also: intestate probate will
intestate :: adj. referring to a situation where a person dies ... lso: intestacy intestate succession
intestate succession :: n. the distribution when a person dies without lea ... sion. See also: intestacy intestate
intoxication :: n. 1) the condition of being drunk as the result o ... r. See also: vehicular manslaughter
intrinsic fraud :: n. an intentionally false representation (lie) whi ... ts. See also: extrinsic fraud fraud
inure :: v. result in. Commonly used in legal terminology i ... ure to the benefit of Janet Jones."
invasion of privacy :: n. the intrusion into the personal life of another ... randeis. See also: right to privacy
inverse condemnation :: n. the taking of property by a government agency w ... e also: condemnation eminent domain
invest :: v. to put money into a business or buy property or ... mplete gamble. See also: investment
investment :: n. the money put into use for profit, or the prope ... chased for profit. See also: invest
invitee :: n. a person who comes onto another's property, pre ... ail employees. See also: negligence
involuntary :: adj. or adv. without intent, will or choice. Parti ... l result in dismissal or acquittal.
ipse dixit :: (ip-sah dicks-it) v. Latin for "he himself said it ... e fact is that this person said it.
ipso facto :: (ip-soh fact-toe)prep. Latin for "by the fact itse ... ot entitled to a driver's license."
irreconcilable differences :: n. the usual basis for granting a divorce (dissolu ... See also: divorce no fault divorce
irrelevant :: adj. not important, pertinent, or germane to the m ... ce immaterial incompetent objection
irreparable damage or injury :: n. the type of harm which no monetary compensation ... also: equity injunction remedy writ
issue :: 1) n. a person's children or other lineal descenda ... the body incorporation share stock