Dictionary of Law
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case system :: legal definition


Case system - n. the method of studying law generally used in American law schools, in which the students read, outline (brief), discuss and hear lectures about the cases. Each case presented stands for a particular rule of law in the subject matter covered and is contained in "casebooks" on particular topics (contracts, torts, criminal law, constitutional law, agency, etc.). The system is useful since it relates the law to real and factual situations which assist students in memorization and encourages deductive reasoning. The case system is reinforced by textbooks and outlines on the subject matter, which were formerly the principal sources of learning. The method was introduced first at Harvard in 1869 by professor Christopher C. Langdell and soon became standard.


Related Law Terms

admiralty :: n. concerning activities which occur at sea, inclu ... "proctors." See also: maritime law
answer :: n. in law, a written pleading filed by a defendant ... emurrer general denial verification
antitrust laws :: n. acts adopted by Congress to outlaw or restrict ... so: price fixing restraint of trade
appeal :: 1) v. to ask a higher court to reverse the decisio ... ng, as in "he has filed an appeal."
Attorney General :: n. in each state and the federal government the hi ... izenry. See also: Solicitor General
bankruptcy :: n. a federal system of statutes and courts which p ... y proceedings trustee in bankruptcy
bar examination :: n. the examination given in each state by either t ... n that district. See also: attorney
Bill of Rights :: n. the first ten amendments to the federal Constit ... ved to the states or to the people.
brief :: 1) n. a written legal argument, usually in a forma ... another person. See also: precedent
canon law :: n. laws and regulations over ecclesiastical (churc ... nduct with no religious connection.
cartel :: n. 1) an arrangement among supposedly independent ... Colombia. See also: antitrust laws
case law :: n. reported decisions of appeals courts and other ... es. See also: case system precedent
child custody :: n. a court's determination of which parent, relati ... pport custody divorce joint custody
common law :: n. the traditional unwritten law of England, based ... plied without reference to statute.
comparative negligence :: n. a rule of law applied in accident cases to dete ... utory negligence damages negligence
consumer protection laws :: n. almost all states and the federal government ha ... rranty product liability securities
corporate opportunity :: n. a business opportunity which becomes known to a ... ative action fiduciary relationship
court :: n. 1) the judge, as in "The court rules in favor o ... cost and wait of full court trials.
criminal calendar :: n. the list of criminal cases to be called in cour ... e plea preliminary hearing sentence
damages :: n. the amount of money which a plaintiff (the pers ... liquidated damages special damages
eminent domain :: n. the power of a governmental entity (federal, st ... ngs. See also: condemn condemnation
entrapment :: n. in criminal law, the act of law enforcement off ... e drugs if not pressed by the narc?
equal protection of the law :: n. the right of all persons to have the same acces ... laws." See also: due process of law
file :: 1) v. to deposit with the clerk of the court a wri ... rrespondence and notes on the case.
final settlement :: n. an agreement reached by the parties to a lawsui ... rneys present. See also: settlement
grandfather clause :: n. 1) a clause in a statute or zoning ordinance (p ... Such laws are now unconstitutional.
habeas corpus :: (hay-bee-us core-puss) n. Latin for "you have the ... nality of a state court conviction.
insanity :: n. mental illness of such a severe nature that a p ... M'Naughten rule temporary insanity
interest :: n. 1) any and all, partial or total right to prope ... nal property real property standing
irrelevant :: adj. not important, pertinent, or germane to the m ... ce immaterial incompetent objection
judge :: 1) n. an official with the authority and responsib ... ice justice of the peace magistrate
jurisdiction :: n. the authority given by law to a court to try ca ... Superior Court Supreme Court venue
jury :: n. one of the remarkable innovations of the Englis ... hallenge sequester venire voir dire
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
law :: n. 1) any system of regulations to govern the cond ... um maritime law natural law statute
law book :: n. any of numerous volumes dealing with law, inclu ... : common law law Shepardize statute
license :: 1) n. governmental permission to perform a particu ... eement. See also: licensee licensor
limited partnership :: n. a special type of partnership which is very com ... mited liability partner partnership
literary property :: n. the writings of an author which entitles him/he ... as copyrighted. See also: copyright
malpractice :: n. An act or continuing conduct of a professional ... eed. See also: errors and omissions
mandamus :: (man-dame-us) n. Latin for "we order," a writ (mor ... mandamus. See also: writ of mandate
maxims :: n. a collection of legal truisms which are used as ... e and the ordinary habits of life."
mortgage :: n. a document in which the owner pledges his/her/i ... losure notice of default trust deed
no fault insurance :: n: a type of automobile insurance required of car ... ling lawsuits. See also: negligence
object :: 1) v. to ask the court not to allow a particular q ... he contract..." See also: objection
of counsel :: adj. reference to an attorney who is not actively ... quiring his/her full-time presence.
palimony :: n. a substitute for alimony in cases in which the ... the relationship. See also: alimony
party of the first part :: n. reference in a written contract to identify one ... ies another party to the agreement.
preemption :: n. the rule of law that if the federal government ... cs control may parallel each other.
privileged communication :: n. statements and conversations made under circums ... See also: attorney-client privilege
proof :: n. confirmation of a fact by evidence. In a trial, ... doubt preponderance of the evidence
prosecution :: n. 1) in criminal law, the government attorney cha ... se). See also: prosecute prosecutor
public easement :: n. the right of the general public to use certain ... lso: easement prescriptive easement
real property :: n. 1) all land, structures, firmly attached and in ... onal property real estate reversion
regulations :: n. rules and administrative codes issued by govern ... es usually have similar procedures.
ripe :: adj. in constitutional law, referring to a law cas ... or more issues raised by the case.
sanction :: n. 1) a financial penalty imposed by a judge on a ... ction." See also: contempt of court
search warrant :: n. a written order by a judge which permits a law ... ble cause search search and seizure
sheriff :: n. the top law enforcement officer for a county, u ... ." See also: bailiff sheriff's sale
small claims court :: n. a division of most municipal, city or other low ... od example of a small claims court.
statute of limitations :: n. a law which sets the maximum period which one c ... ies. See also: demurrer laches toll
trial :: n. the examination of facts and law presided over ... at a hearing held at a later time.
variance :: n. 1) an exception to a zoning ordinance, authoriz ... process." See also: dismissal proof

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.