Dictionary of Law
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lay a foundation :: legal definition


Lay a foundation - v. in evidence, to provide to the judge the qualification of a witness (particularly an expert witness) or a document or other piece of evidence which assures the court of the talent and experience of a witness or the authenticity of the document or article. Example: a medical report cannot be introduced unless the physician who wrote it testifies that he wrote it, or a photograph must be authenticated by the photographer or by testimony that it truly reflects a particular place or event. An expert witness is qualified by testimony as to experience and training.

See also: evidence and Related Law Terms ↓


Related Law Terms

attest :: v. 1) to confirm (usually in writing) that a docum ... also: holographic will will witness
credibility :: n. whether testimony is worthy of belief, based on ... jective. See also: credible witness
deposition :: n. the taking and recording of testimony of a witn ... See also: deponent depose discovery
direct examination :: n. the first questioning of a witness during a tri ... nation deposition testimony witness
documentary evidence :: n. any document (paper) which is presented and all ... evancy. See also: document evidence
evidence :: n. every type of proof legally presented at trial ... material object objection relevant
expert testimony :: n. opinions stated during trial or deposition (tes ... inal case. See also: expert witness
expert witness :: n. a person who is a specialist in a subject, ofte ... sitions. See also: expert testimony
hearsay rule :: n. the basic rule that testimony or documents whic ... interest dying declaration hearsay
malpractice :: n. An act or continuing conduct of a professional ... eed. See also: errors and omissions
preponderance of the evidence :: n. the greater weight of the evidence required in ... what subjective. See also: evidence
refresh one's memory :: v. to use a document, exhibit or previous testimon ... it is genuine). See also: testimony
rogatory letters :: n. a written request by a judge to a judge in anot ... also: deposition testimony witness
sanction :: n. 1) a financial penalty imposed by a judge on a ... ction." See also: contempt of court
sequester :: v. to keep separate or apart. In so-called "high-p ... of others. See also: sequestration
subpena :: (subpoena): (suh-pea-nah) n. an order of the court ... ubpena duces tecum subpoena witness
subpena duces tecum :: : (suh-pea-nah dooh-chess-take-uhm or dooh-kess-ta ... ng a court order. See also: witness
testify :: v. to give oral evidence under oath in answer to q ... deposition evidence testimony trial
testimony :: n. oral evidence given under oath by a witness in ... tion evidence testify trial witness
ultimate fact :: n. in a trial, a conclusion of fact which is logic ... is not evidence. See also: evidence
voir dire :: (vwahr [with a near-silent "r"] deer) n. from Fren ... t witness jury peremptory challenge
witness :: 1) n. a person who testifies under oath in a trial ... lso: deposition evidence trial will
witness stand :: n. a chair at the end of the judge's bench on the ... estimony clearly. See also: witness

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 - L

labor and materials :: (time and materials) n. what some builders or repa ... track of actual labor hours worked.
laches :: n. the legal doctrine that a legal right or claim ... , breach of contract, fraud, etc.).
land :: n. real property, real estate (and all that grows ... See also: real estate real property
landlady :: n. female of landlord or owner of real property fr ... rents or leases. See also: landlord
landlocked :: adj. referring to a parcel of real property which ... which it was created (carved out).
landlord :: n. a person who owns real property and rents or le ... so: lease lessee lessor rent tenant
landlord and tenant :: n. the name for the area of law concerning renting ... ord lease lessee lessor rent tenant
landlord's lien :: n. the right of a landlord to sell abandoned perso ... to the ex-tenant and a public sale.
lapse :: 1) v. to fail to occur, particularly a gift made i ... eficiary devisee legatee trust will
larceny :: n. the crime of taking the goods of another person ... : grand larceny petty larceny theft
last antecedent rule :: n. a doctrine of interpretation (construction) of ... o trucks and not boats or tractors.
last clear chance :: n. a rule of law in determining responsibility for ... contributory negligence negligence
last will and testament :: n. a fancy and redundant way of saying "will." Law ... writing another one. See also: will
latent defect :: n. a hidden flaw, weakness or imperfection in an a ... warranty product liability warranty
lateral support :: n. the right of a land- owner to assurance that hi ... support problems are less dramatic.
law :: n. 1) any system of regulations to govern the cond ... um maritime law natural law statute
law and motion calendar :: n. a court calendar in which only motions and spec ... special legal arguments are heard.
law book :: n. any of numerous volumes dealing with law, inclu ... : common law law Shepardize statute
law of admiralty :: n. statutes, customs and treaties dealing with act ... w. See also: Jones Act maritime law
law of the case :: n. once a judge has decided a legal question durin ... he ruling is the "law of the case."