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Dictionary of Law |
notary public :: legal definitionNotary public - n. a person authorized by the state in which the person resides to administer oaths (swearings to truth of a statement), take acknowledgments, certify documents and to take depositions if the notary is also a court reporter. The signature and seal or stamp of a notary public is necessary to attest to the oath of truth of a person making an affidavit and to attest that a person has acknowledged that he/she executed a deed, power of attorney or other document, and is required for recording in public records. The Secretary of State of each state appoints notaries public for a specified term of years. A notary public must see proof of identity (e.g. driver's license) of those swearing and keep an official journal of documents notarized. The authority is good only in the state which appoints the notary. Related Law Termsabduction :: n. the criminal taking away of a person by persuas ... g of children. See also: kidnappingaccount stated :: n. a statement between a creditor or the person to ... ending on the state. See also: debt acknowledgment :: n. the section at the end of a document where a no ... me leases and various other papers. administrator :: n. the person appointed by the court to handle the ... e also: administer executor probate adoption :: n. the taking of a child into one's family, creati ... the child are met. See also: adopt affidavit :: n. 1) any written document in which the signer swe ... an affidavit. See also: declaration agency :: n. the relationship of a person (called the agent) ... ondeat superior scope of employment agent :: n. a person who is authorized to act for another ( ... issues. See also: agency authority antitrust laws :: n. acts adopted by Congress to outlaw or restrict ... so: price fixing restraint of trade apparent authority :: n. the appearance of being the agent of another (e ... e also: agency ostensible authority appeal :: 1) v. to ask a higher court to reverse the decisio ... ng, as in "he has filed an appeal." articles of incorporation :: n. the basic charter of a corporation which spells ... year's taxes. See also: corporation attest :: v. 1) to confirm (usually in writing) that a docum ... also: holographic will will witness 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. certificate of title :: n. generally, the title document for a motor vehic ... a "pink slip." See also: pink slip chattel mortgage :: n. an outmoded written document which made a chatt ... ed by the property. See also: UCC-1 Chief Justice :: n. the presiding judge of any State Supreme Court ... nks of existing Associate Justices. child custody :: n. a court's determination of which parent, relati ... pport custody divorce joint custody civil :: adj. 1) that part of the law that encompasses busi ... also: civil liberties civil rights common law :: n. the traditional unwritten law of England, based ... plied without reference to statute. complaint :: n. the first document filed with the court (actual ... g prayer service of process summons conflict of interest :: n. a situation in which a person has a duty to mor ... a position adverse to the customer. conservator :: n. a guardian and protector appointed by a judge t ... ies. See also: conservatee guardian constitution :: n. the fundamental, underlying document which esta ... ts common law constitutional rights constructive notice :: n. a fiction that a person got notice even though ... personally. See also: constructive consumer protection laws :: n. almost all states and the federal government ha ... rranty product liability securities copyright :: 1) n. the exclusive right of the author or creator ... plagiarism public domain trademark corporation :: n. an organization formed with state governmental ... ation public corporation securities court :: n. 1) the judge, as in "The court rules in favor o ... cost and wait of full court trials. d.b.a. :: n. short for "doing business as," when a person or ... that is registered with the state. declarant :: n. the person making a statement, usually written ... also: affiant affidavit declaration declaration of mailing :: n. a form stating that a particular document has b ... other party. See also: declaration descent :: n. the rules of inheritance established by law in ... on inheritance intestate succession disinherit :: v. to intentionally take actions to guarantee that ... rorem clause pretermitted heir will domicile :: n. the place where a person has his/her permanent ... where its headquarters is located. double jeopardy :: n. placing someone on trial a second time for an o ... that occurred thirty years earlier. eminent domain :: n. the power of a governmental entity (federal, st ... ngs. See also: condemn condemnation equal opportunity :: 1) n. a right supposedly guaranteed by both federa ... be so. See also: affirmative action equal protection of the law :: n. the right of all persons to have the same acces ... laws." See also: due process of law executor :: n. the person appointed to administer the estate o ... sed decedent executrix probate will extradition :: n. the surrender by one state or country of a pers ... ty. See also: fugitive from justice fair comment :: n. a statement of opinion (no matter how ludicrous ... amation libel public figure slander file :: 1) v. to deposit with the clerk of the court a wri ... rrespondence and notes on the case. fraud :: n. the intentional use of deceit, a trick or some ... audulent conveyance intrinsic fraud grace period :: n. a time stated in a contract in which a late pay ... the contract, i.e. your insurance. grantor-grantee index :: n. a set of books and/or computerized lists found ... ument in tracking a chain of title. guardian :: n. a person who has been appointed by a judge to t ... torship. See also: conservator ward hearsay rule :: n. the basic rule that testimony or documents whic ... interest dying declaration hearsay impute :: v. 1) to attach to a person responsibility (and th ... also. See also: vicarious liability incorporate :: v. 1) to obtain an official charter or articles of ... te by reference incorporation stock insanity :: n. mental illness of such a severe nature that a p ... M'Naughten rule temporary insanity insolvency :: n. 1) the condition of having more debts (liabilit ... the property. See also: bankruptcy interest :: n. 1) any and all, partial or total right to prope ... nal property real property standing interstate commerce :: n. commercial trade, business, movement of goods o ... and the I.C.C. may soon be history. 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 judge :: 1) n. an official with the authority and responsib ... ice justice of the peace magistrate jurat :: (jur-at) n. Latin for "been sworn," the portion of ... wledgment declaration notary public jury :: n. one of the remarkable innovations of the Englis ... hallenge sequester venire voir dire lapse :: 1) v. to fail to occur, particularly a gift made i ... eficiary devisee legatee trust will 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 libel :: 1) n. to publish in print (including pictures), wr ... libel per se public figure slander 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 living will :: n. also called "a durable power of attorney," it i ... upport. See also: power of attorney long-arm statute :: n. law which gives a local state court jurisdictio ... rt jurisdiction over the defendant. mandamus :: (man-dame-us) n. Latin for "we order," a writ (mor ... mandamus. See also: writ of mandate Miranda warning :: n. the requirement, also called the Miranda rule, ... me such a suspect? See also: rights motion for a summary judgment :: n. a written request for a judgment in the moving ... strict procedures. See also: motion murder :: n. the killing of a human being by a sane person, ... premeditation second degree murder 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 not guilty :: n. 1) plea of a person who claims not to have comm ... t guilty by reason of insanity plea notice :: n. 1) information, usually in writing in all legal ... Thirty-day notice three-day notice oath :: n. 1) a swearing to tell the truth, the whole trut ... ountry. See also: affidavit perjury official :: 1) adj. referring to an act, document or anything ... tion or business. See also: officer pardon :: 1) v. to use the executive power of a Governor or ... also: amnesty commutation reprieve peremptory challenge :: n. the right of the plaintiff and the defendant in ... challenge for cause jury voir dire personal service :: n. delivering a summons, complaint, notice to quit ... process substituted service summons power of attorney :: n. a written document signed by a person giving an ... y, as in a real estate transaction. privileges and immunities :: n. the fundamental rights that people enjoy in fre ... t impinge on constitutional rights. probate :: 1) n. the process of proving a will is valid and t ... e also: administrator executor will 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 proof :: n. confirmation of a fact by evidence. In a trial, ... doubt preponderance of the evidence property :: n. anything that is owned by a person or entity. P ... rty real property separate property public defender :: n. an elected or appointed public official (usuall ... to convicted indigents for appeals. public utility :: n. any organization which provides services to the ... nder state laws. See also: monopoly qui tam action :: : (kwee tam) n. from Latin for "who as well," a la ... technical violations and/or errors. receiver :: n. 1) a neutral person (often a professional trust ... owing they were obtained illegally. regulations :: n. rules and administrative codes issued by govern ... es usually have similar procedures. satisfaction of judgment :: n. a document signed by a judgment creditor (the p ... ord. See also: abstract of judgment seal :: n. a device which creates an impression upon paper ... e "sealed," but that is rare today. 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 sentence :: 1) n. the punishment given to a person convicted o ... ence restitution suspended sentence service :: n. 1) paid work by another person, either by contr ... ersonal services service of process service by publication :: n. serving a summons or other legal document in a ... perty. See also: service of process service of process :: n. the delivery of copies of legal documents such ... by publication substituted service sheriff :: n. the top law enforcement officer for a county, u ... ." See also: bailiff sheriff's sale spontaneous exclamation :: n. a sudden statement caused by the speaker having ... et hit the girl." See also: hearsay state action :: n. in federal Civil Rights Acts, dating back to 18 ... for damages. See also: civil rights state of domicile :: n. the state in which a person has his/her permane ... orated. See also: domicile resident statute of limitations :: n. a law which sets the maximum period which one c ... ies. See also: demurrer laches toll subpena duces tecum :: : (suh-pea-nah dooh-chess-take-uhm or dooh-kess-ta ... ng a court order. See also: witness substituted service :: n. accomplishing service (delivery) of legal docum ... ee also: service service of process summary adjudication of issues :: n. a court order ruling that certain factual issue ... is made. See also: summary judgment summary judgment :: n. a court order ruling that no factual issues rem ... tion summary adjudication of issues Supreme Court :: n. 1) the highest court in the United States, whic ... rt in other states. See also: court swear :: v. 1) to declare under oath that one will tell the ... ee also: notary public oath perjury 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 venue :: n. 1) the proper or most convenient location for t ... ion. See also: forum non conveniens verification :: n. the declaration under oath or upon penalty of p ... ed. See also: answer complaint oath will :: n. a written document which leaves the estate of t ... will and testament probate testator witness :: 1) n. a person who testifies under oath in a trial ... lso: deposition evidence trial will Popular Law Searcheslegal 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 - NN.O.V. :: adj. shorthand acronym of Latin for non obstante v ... notwithstanding the verdict verdicNational 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. |