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
Founded: 108
default :: 1) n. failure to respond to a summons and complain ... default judgment notice of default
default judgment :: n. if a defendant in a lawsuit fails to respond to ... See also: complaint default summons
summons :: n. a document issued by the court at the time a la ... use service service of process writ
cross-complaint :: n. after a complaint has been filed against a defe ... g prayer service of process summons
complaint :: n. the first document filed with the court (actual ... g prayer service of process summons
judgment by default :: n. See also: default judgment ... n. See also: default judgment
notice of default :: n. a notice to a borrower with property as securit ... notice of default. See also: notice
amended complaint :: n. what results when the party suing (plaintiff or ... cause of action complaint demurrer
notice :: n. 1) information, usually in writing in all legal ... Thirty-day notice three-day notice
personal service :: n. delivering a summons, complaint, notice to quit ... process substituted service summons
return of service :: n. written confirmation under oath by a process se ... ee also: service service of process
fictitious defendants :: n. when a party suing (plaintiff) is not sure if h ... are not permitted in federal cases.
service :: n. 1) paid work by another person, either by contr ... ersonal services service of process
service of process :: n. the delivery of copies of legal documents such ... by publication substituted service
file :: 1) v. to deposit with the clerk of the court a wri ... rrespondence and notes on the case.
in personam :: adj. (in purr-soh-nam) from Latin for "directed to ... here. See also: in rem jurisdiction
excusable neglect :: n. a legitimate excuse for the failure of a party ... See also: default default judgment
constable :: n. a law officer for a particular area such as a r ... ice of the Peace. See also: sheriff
answer :: n. in law, a written pleading filed by a defendant ... emurrer general denial verification
process :: n. in law, the legal means by which a person is re ... service of process subpena summons
prayer :: n. the specific request for judgment, relief and/o ... ee also: complaint default judgment
commencement of action :: n. an action (a lawsuit) commences (begins officia ... ing a complaint. See also: petition
settlement :: n. the resolution of a lawsuit (or of a legal disp ... ult in settlement. See also: settle
speaking demurrer :: n. an attempt to introduce evidence during a heari ... the operation." See also: demurrer
strike :: 1) v. to remove a statement from the record of the ... ing the business, factory or store.
premises :: n. 1) in real estate, land and the improvements on ... t). See also: real estate structure
suit :: n. generic term for any filing of a complaint (or ... "suit in equity." See also: lawsuit
set aside :: v. to annul or negate a court order or judgment by ... "set aside" the original dismissal.
plea :: n. 1) in criminal law, the response by an accused ... raignment plead preliminary hearing
procedure :: n. the methods and mechanics of the legal process. ... cases are tried and judgments made.
pray :: v. to formally request judicial judgment, relief a ... laint or petition. See also: prayer
proximate cause :: n. a happening which results in an event, particul ... also: intervening cause negligence
reasonable reliance :: n. particularly in contracts, what a prudent perso ... the following:." See also: contract
pleading :: n. 1) every legal document filed in a lawsuit, pet ... nswer complaint demurrer plea plead
question of fact :: n. in a lawsuit or criminal prosecution, an issue ... also: finding judge question of law
plead :: v. 1) in civil lawsuits and petitions, to file any ... al conduct. See also: plea pleading
prevailing party :: n. the winner in a lawsuit. Many contracts, leases ... ed before or after trial has begun.
unclean hands :: n. a legal doctrine which is a defense to a compla ... ough. See also: affirmative defense
reentry :: n. taking back possession and going into real prop ... ages. See also: landlord and tenant
record :: 1) v. (ree-cored) to put a document into the offic ... eeding race to the courthouse trial
novation :: n. agreement of parties to a contract to substitut ... . See also: accord and satisfaction
notice to quit :: n. the notice given by a landlord (owner) to a ten ... h-to-month notice unlawful detainer
repossess :: v. to take back property through judicial processe ... upon default in required payments.
constructive notice :: n. a fiction that a person got notice even though ... personally. See also: constructive
sheriff :: n. the top law enforcement officer for a county, u ... ." See also: bailiff sheriff's sale
service by publication :: n. serving a summons or other legal document in a ... perty. See also: service of process
quash :: v. to annul or set aside. In law, a motion to quas ... s when the wrong person was served.
court costs :: n. fees for expenses that the courts pass on to at ... ee also: cost bill prevailing party
mortgage :: n. a document in which the owner pledges his/her/i ... losure notice of default trust deed
liquidated damages :: n. an amount of money agreed upon by both parties ... airness. See also: contract damages
variance :: n. 1) an exception to a zoning ordinance, authoriz ... process." See also: dismissal proof
plaintiff :: n. the party who initiates a lawsuit by filing a c ... lso: complaint defendant petitioner
supplemental :: adj. referring to anything that is added to comple ... emental answer, supplemental claim.
summary judgment :: n. a court order ruling that no factual issues rem ... tion summary adjudication of issues
verification :: n. the declaration under oath or upon penalty of p ... ed. See also: answer complaint oath
damages :: n. the amount of money which a plaintiff (the pers ... liquidated damages special damages
lease :: 1) n. a written agreement in which the owner of pr ... triple net lease unlawful detainer
foreclosure :: n. the system by which a party who has loaned mone ... ced sale mortgage notice of default
equity of redemption :: n. the right of a mortgagor (person owing on a loa ... so: foreclosure mortgage redemption
deed of trust :: n. a document which pledges real property to secur ... : foreclosure mortgage reconveyance
summary adjudication of issues :: n. a court order ruling that certain factual issue ... is made. See also: summary judgment
motion to strike :: n. a request for a judge's order to eliminate all ... be unrung." See also: motion strike
count :: n. each separate statement in a complaint which st ... also: cause of action common counts
confession and avoidance :: n. when a defendant admits the allegations in a co ... tries to avoid their legal impact.
complainant :: n. a person or entity who begins a lawsuit by fili ... lso: complaint petitioner plaintiff
common counts :: n. claims for debt alleged in a lawsuit (included ... so: cause of action complaint count
counterclaim :: n. a retaliatory claim by a defendant against a pl ... d. See also: answer cross-complaint
defense :: n. 1) a general term for the effort of an attorney ... tiff. See also: affirmative defense
disjunctive allegations :: n. the attempt to claim in a civil lawsuit that on ... o: cause of action charge complaint
direct and proximate cause :: n. the immediate reason damage was caused by an ac ... so: cause complaint proximate cause
denial :: n. a statement in the defendant's answer to a comp ... ative defense answer general denial
demurrer :: n. (dee-muhr-ur) a written response to a complaint ... demurrer. See also: motion pleading
charge :: n. 1) in a criminal case, the specific statement o ... trial judge. 3) a fee for services.
caption :: n. the first section of any written legal pleading ... to the exact format of the caption.
adverse party :: n. the opposite side in a lawsuit. Sometimes when ... the court rules the will was legal.
admit :: v. 1) to state something is true in answering a co ... tted." See also: admission evidence
actionable :: adj. when enough facts or circumstances exist to m ... ction lawsuit malicious prosecution
acceptance of service :: n. agreement by a defendant (or his/her attorney) ... o accept service. See also: service
affirmative defense :: n. part of an answer to a charge or complaint in w ... lp the defendant. See also: defense
allegation :: n. a statement of claimed fact contained in a comp ... sure of a fact. See also: complaint
amended pleading :: n. a changed written pleading in a lawsuit, includ ... o: amend amended complaint demurrer
amend :: v. to alter or change by adding, subtracting, or s ... mended pleading statute stipulation
alter ego :: n. a corporation, organization or other entity set ... See also: pierce the corporate veil
allege :: v. to claim a fact is true, commonly in a complain ... or any claim. See also: allegation
dismiss :: v. the ruling by a judge that all or a portion (on ... nst that party. See also: dismissal
divorce :: 1) n. the termination of a marriage by legal actio ... y separate property spousal support
Jane Doe :: n. 1) a fictitious name used for a possible female ... lso: fictitious defendants John Doe
intervention :: n. the procedure under which a third party may joi ... rvene joinder multiplicity of suits
intervene :: v. to obtain the court's permission to enter into ... ntion joinder multiplicity of suits
insanity :: n. mental illness of such a severe nature that a p ... M'Naughten rule temporary insanity
John Doe :: n. 1) a fictitious name used for a possible male d ... lso: fictitious defendants Jane Doe
abuse of process :: n. the use of legal process by illegal, malicious, ... ly correct the error and apologize.
party :: n. 1) one of the participants in a lawsuit or othe ... y real party in interest respondent
overcharge :: v. 1) to charge more than a posted or advertised p ... osecutor to intimidate the accused.
on or about :: prep. a phrase referring to a date or place used i ... reets:." See also: charge complaint
new matter :: n. newly claimed facts or legal issues raised (bro ... ee also: affirmative defense answer
information and belief :: n. a phrase often used in legal pleadings (complai ... nswer complaint declaration perjury
indispensable party :: n. a person or entity which must be included in a ... tion to join Olivia as a defendant.
frivolous :: adj. referring to a legal move in a lawsuit clearl ... ing the courts to resolve disputes.
forum non conveniens :: (for-uhm nahn cahn-vee-nee-ehns) n. Latin for a fo ... most convenient location for trial.
equal opportunity :: 1) n. a right supposedly guaranteed by both federa ... be so. See also: affirmative action
doing business :: v. carrying on the normal activities of a corporat ... oration operating within the state.
general denial :: n. a statement in an answer to a lawsuit or claim ... anguage. See also: answer complaint
gravamen :: n. Latin for "to weigh down," the basic gist of ev ... o: cause of action charge complaint
indictment :: n. a charge of a felony (serious crime) voted by a ... ictable offense preliminary hearing
in haec verba :: (in hike verb-ah)prep. Latin for "in these words," ... ading. See also: complaint pleading
immaterial :: adj. a commonly heard objection to introducing evi ... ons. See also: irrelevant objection
petition :: 1) n. a formal written request to a court for an o ... dent. See also: divorce motion writ