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

consent decree :: legal definition


Consent decree - n. an order of a judge based upon an agreement, almost always put in writing, between the parties to a lawsuit instead of continuing the case through trial or hearing. It cannot be appealed unless it was based upon fraud by one of the parties (he lied about the situation), mutual mistake (both parties misunderstood the situation) or if the court does not have jurisdiction over the case or the parties. Obviously, such a decree is almost always final and non-appealable since the parties worked it out. A consent decree is a common practice when the government has sued to make a person or corporation comply with the law (improper securities practices, pollution, restraints of trade, conspiracy) or the defendant agrees to the consent decree (often not to repeat the offense) in return for the government not pursuing criminal penalties. In general a consent decree and a consent judgment are the same.

See also: consent judgment and Related Law Terms ↓


Related Law Terms

abstract of judgment :: n. a written summary of a judgment which states ho ... aying the debt. See also: levy lien
appeal :: 1) v. to ask a higher court to reverse the decisio ... ng, as in "he has filed an appeal."
bifurcate :: v. the order or ruling of a judge that one issue i ... is necessary. See also: bifurcation
comparative negligence :: n. a rule of law applied in accident cases to dete ... utory negligence damages negligence
confidential relation :: n. a relationship in which one person has confiden ... remely obvious. See also: fiduciary
consent judgment :: n. a judgment issued by a judge based on an agreem ... forceable. See also: consent decree
court :: n. 1) the judge, as in "The court rules in favor o ... cost and wait of full court trials.
court costs :: n. fees for expenses that the courts pass on to at ... ee also: cost bill prevailing party
damages :: n. the amount of money which a plaintiff (the pers ... liquidated damages special damages
decision :: n. judgment, decree or determination of findings o ... (court). See also: decree judgment
declaratory judgment :: n. a judgment of a court which determines the righ ... ys it. See also: declaratory relief
fictitious defendants :: n. when a party suing (plaintiff) is not sure if h ... are not permitted in federal cases.
final judgment :: n. the written determination of a lawsuit by the j ... : final decree interlocutory decree
final settlement :: n. an agreement reached by the parties to a lawsui ... rneys present. See also: settlement
gag order :: n. a judge's order prohibiting the attorneys and t ... st day in office, January 22, 1993.
in personam :: adj. (in purr-soh-nam) from Latin for "directed to ... here. See also: in rem jurisdiction
informed consent :: n. agreement to do something or to allow something ... . See also: consent Miranda warning
interlocutory decree :: n. a court judgment which is temporary and not int ... ppeared to waste the parties' time.
joinder :: n. the joining together of several lawsuits or sev ... er misjoinder multiplicity of suits
joint and several :: adj. referring to a debt or a judgment for neglige ... ution contributory negligence joint
judgment :: n. the final decision by a court in a lawsuit, cri ... ous with judgment. See also: decree
judicial foreclosure :: n. a judgment by a court in favor of foreclosure o ... deed of trust foreclosure mortgage
jury :: n. one of the remarkable innovations of the Englis ... hallenge sequester venire voir dire
jury fees :: n. the rather minimal amount paid each day to juro ... ees as a court cost. See also: jury
law :: n. 1) any system of regulations to govern the cond ... um maritime law natural law statute
liquidated damages :: n. an amount of money agreed upon by both parties ... airness. See also: contract damages
malpractice :: n. An act or continuing conduct of a professional ... eed. See also: errors and omissions
motion for a new trial :: n. a request made by the loser for the case to be ... hstanding the verdict motion N.O.V.
motion for a summary judgment :: n. a written request for a judgment in the moving ... strict procedures. See also: motion
negligence :: n. failure to exercise the care toward others whic ... gence per se res ipsa loquitur tort
on the merits :: adj. referring to a judgment, decision or ruling o ... s if this mistake had not occurred.
out of court :: adj. referring to actions, including negotiations ... is dismissed. See also: settlement
peremptory challenge :: n. the right of the plaintiff and the defendant in ... challenge for cause jury voir dire
petition :: 1) n. a formal written request to a court for an o ... dent. See also: divorce motion writ
proper party :: n. a person or entity who has an interest (financi ... lf. See also: necessary party party
prosecution :: n. 1) in criminal law, the government attorney cha ... se). See also: prosecute prosecutor
rape :: 1) n. the crime of sexual intercourse (with actual ... See also: date rape statutory rape
reversal :: n. the decision of a court of appeal ruling that t ... e of damages is ordered to dismiss.
satisfaction of judgment :: n. a document signed by a judgment creditor (the p ... ord. See also: abstract of judgment
specific performance :: n. the right of a party to a contract to demand th ... artwork. See also: contract prayer
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
toll :: v. 1) to delay, suspend or hold off the effect of ... bridge or take passage on a ferry.
trial :: n. the examination of facts and law presided over ... at a hearing held at a later time.
venue :: n. 1) the proper or most convenient location for t ... ion. See also: forum non conveniens
verdict :: n. the decision of a jury after a trial, which mus ... nt quotient verdict special verdict
Workers' Compensation Acts :: n. state statutes which establish liability of emp ... rs' compensation insurance company.

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.