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: 209
general appearance :: n. an attorney's representation of a client in cou ... case. See also: special appearance
special appearance :: n. the representation by an attorney of a person i ... anged. See also: general appearance
appearance :: n. the act of a party or an attorney showing up in ... neral appearance special appearance
Attorney General :: n. in each state and the federal government the hi ... izenry. See also: Solicitor General
judge advocate general :: (J.A.G.) n. a military officer who advises the gov ... also: court-martial judge advocate
general partner :: n. 1) usually one of the owners and operators of a ... ted partnership partner partnership
Solicitor General :: n. the chief trial attorney in the federal Departm ... Attorney General in the Department.
continuance :: n. a postponement of a date of a trial, hearing or ... continuances to discourage delays.
disfigure :: v. to cause permanent change in a person's body, p ... . See also: damages general damages
general plan :: n. a plan of a city, county or area which establis ... uture development. See also: zoning
bail :: 1) n. the money or bond put up to secure the relea ... bond bail bondsman own recognizance
general denial :: n. a statement in an answer to a lawsuit or claim ... anguage. See also: answer complaint
general damages :: n. monetary recovery (money won) in a lawsuit for ... s exemplary damages special damages
general counsel :: n. the chief attorney for a corporation, who is pa ... e counsel." See also: house counsel
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
prosecute :: v. 1) in criminal law, to charge a person with a c ... rney General prosecution prosecutor
Magna Carta :: n. Latin for "Great Charter," it was a document de ... s. It is also spelled Magna Charta.
malice :: n. a conscious, intentional wrongdoing either of a ... cution murder public figure slander
preference :: n. in bankruptcy, the payment of a debt to one cre ... nds or assets. See also: bankruptcy
maxims :: n. a collection of legal truisms which are used as ... e and the ordinary habits of life."
malicious prosecution :: n. filing a lawsuit with the intention of creating ... vor of the victim. See also: malice
prayer :: n. the specific request for judgment, relief and/o ... ee also: complaint default judgment
malice aforethought :: n. 1) the conscious intent to cause death or great ... : first degree murder malice murder
prosecutor :: n. generic term for the government's attorney in a ... ee also: Attorney General prosecute
prospectus :: n. a detailed statement by a corporation required ... rporation limited partnership stock
publication :: n. 1) anything made public by print (as in a news- ... so: defamation libel notice slander
qui tam action :: : (kwee tam) n. from Latin for "who as well," a la ... technical violations and/or errors.
reformation :: n. the correction or change of an existing documen ... neral partner sues for reformation.
lis pendens :: (lease pen-dense) n. Latin for "a suit pending," a ... ob can be penalized by court order.
public utility :: n. any organization which provides services to the ... nder state laws. See also: monopoly
public property :: n. property owned by the government or one of its ... l public. See also: common property
prostitute :: n. a person who receives payment for sexual interc ... also: pander panderer prostitution
public charge :: n. a general term for an indigent, sick or severel ... be taken care of at public expense.
public easement :: n. the right of the general public to use certain ... lso: easement prescriptive easement
power of attorney :: n. a written document signed by a person giving an ... y, as in a real estate transaction.
post mortem :: n. Latin for "after death," an examination of a de ... alled an autopsy. See also: coroner
obiter dicta :: : (oh-bitter dick-tah) n. remarks of a judge which ... imply dicta. See also: dicta dictum
officious intermeddler :: n. a volunteer who assists and/or benefits another ... efit. See also: Good Samaritan rule
pain and suffering :: n. the physical and mental distress suffered from ... l damages special damages suffering
parole :: n. 1) the release of a convicted criminal defendan ... sed he will not take up arms again.
nuisance :: n. the unreasonable, unwarranted and/or unlawful u ... evening). See also: public nuisance
notice to quit :: n. the notice given by a landlord (owner) to a ten ... h-to-month notice unlawful detainer
non-conforming use :: n. the existing use (residential, commercial, agri ... eneral plan grandfathered in zoning
non-profit corporation :: n. an organization incorporated under state laws a ... harity corporation cy pres doctrine
moiety :: : (moy-et-tee) n. half. Generally a reference to i ... perty, moiety is seldom used today.
notice :: n. 1) information, usually in writing in all legal ... Thirty-day notice three-day notice
partner :: n. 1) one of the co-owners and investors in a "par ... ner limited partnership partnership
minor :: n. someone under legal age, which is generally 18, ... rages. See also: legal age maturity
permanent injury :: n. physical or mental damage which will restrict t ... ges. See also: permanent disability
personal services :: n. in contract law, the talents of a person which ... his/her unique ability and product.
petition :: 1) n. a formal written request to a court for an o ... dent. See also: divorce motion writ
possession of stolen goods :: n. the crime of possession of goods which one know ... e legal owner. See also: possession
permanent disability :: n. an injury which impairs the physical and/or men ... t injury Workers' Compensation Acts
partnership :: n. a business enterprise entered into for profit w ... partnership partner silent partner
mental anguish :: n. mental suffering which includes fright, feeling ... See also: damages mental suffering
mechanic's lien :: n. the right of a craftsman, laborer, supplier, ar ... ll sue for the debt. See also: lien
registration statement :: n. a detailed report to be filed with the Securiti ... See also: blue sky laws prospectus
negligence :: n. failure to exercise the care toward others whic ... gence per se res ipsa loquitur tort
Restatement of the Law :: n. a series of detailed statements of the basic la ... tracts, property, torts and trusts.
barrister :: n. in the United States a fancy name for a lawyer ... ome barristers. See also: solicitor
bad debt :: n. an uncollectible debt. The problem is to determ ... ust no income on which to be taxed.
benefit of counsel :: n. having the opportunity to have an attorney and ... attorney is the person's own fault.
cite :: v. 1) to make reference to a decision in another c ... police officer). See also: citation
color of law :: n. the appearance of an act being performed based ... xtort payoffs to forget the ticket.
arraignment :: n. the hearing in which a person charged with a cr ... re taken care of. See also: arraign
arraign :: v. to bring a criminal defendant before the court, ... d. See also: appearance arraignment
Workers' Compensation Acts :: n. state statutes which establish liability of emp ... rs' compensation insurance company.
admission to bail :: n. an order of a court in a criminal case allowing ... lient. See also: bail bail bondsman
apparent authority :: n. the appearance of being the agent of another (e ... e also: agency ostensible authority
appear :: v. for a party or an attorney to show up in court. ... w up in court. See also: appearance
color of title :: n. the appearance of having title to personal or r ... rty based on this "color of title."
conflict of interest :: n. a situation in which a person has a duty to mor ... a position adverse to the customer.
ostensible agent :: n. a person who has been given the appearance of b ... rent authority ostensible authority
plea :: n. 1) in criminal law, the response by an accused ... raignment plead preliminary hearing
police court :: n. in some states a type of municipal court which ... municipal court preliminary hearing
release on one's own recognizance :: v. for a judge to allow a criminal defendant pre-t ... ourtroom slang. See also: bail O.R.
nunc pro tunc :: (nuhnk proh tuhnk) adj. Latin for "now for then," ... r actuality of a bigamous marriage.
jump bail :: v. to fail to appear for a court appearance after ... also: bail bail bond bail bondsman
credible witness :: n. a witness whose testimony is more than likely t ... ther factors. See also: credibility
excessive bail :: n. an amount of bail ordered posted by an accused ... ppeal for reduction. See also: bail
information :: n. an accusation or criminal charge brought by the ... Jury indictment preliminary hearing
innocent :: adj. without guilt (not guilty). Usually the plea ... also: arraignment plea plea bargain
warranty deed :: n. a deed to real property which guarantees that t ... : grant deed quitclaim deed warrant
usury :: n. a rate of interest on a debt which is exorbitan ... al Reserve Bank. See also: usurious
revenue ruling :: n. a published opinion of the Internal Revenue Ser ... evenue ruling. See also: income tax
self-dealing :: n. in the stock market, using secret "inside" info ... ederal Securities and Exchange Act.
separation agreement :: n. an agreement between two married people who hav ... divorce legal separation separation
sequester :: v. to keep separate or apart. In so-called "high-p ... of others. See also: sequestration
restraint on alienation :: n. an attempt in a deed or will to prevent the sal ... enant rule against perpetuities use
limited partnership :: n. a special type of partnership which is very com ... mited liability partner partnership
representative :: 1) n. an agent. 2) n. in probate law, a generic te ... of the conditions at the job site."
reputed :: adj. referring to what is accepted by general publ ... lic belief, whether or not correct.
resale :: n. selling again, particularly at retail. 2) adj. ... ction of sales tax on retail sales.
rescue doctrine :: n. the rule of law that if a rescuer of a person h ... to the car grill. See also: damages
service by publication :: n. serving a summons or other legal document in a ... perty. See also: service of process
silent partner :: n. a non-legal term for an investor who puts money ... partner limited partnership partner
suffering :: n. the pain, hurt, inconvenience, embarrassment an ... njury negligence pain and suffering
testamentary capacity :: n. having the mental competency to execute a will ... lso: competent undue influence will
title :: n. 1) ownership of real property or personal prope ... ink slip real property title search
tools of trade :: n. in bankruptcy law, the equipment a person requi ... pay creditors. See also: bankruptcy
statute of limitations :: n. a law which sets the maximum period which one c ... ies. See also: demurrer laches toll
spot zoning :: n. a provision in a general plan which benefits a ... . See also: grandfathered in zoning
slander :: n. oral defamation, in which someone tells one or ... . See also: defamation fair comment
sound mind and memory :: n. having an understanding of one's actions and re ... ee also: competent incompetent will
special damages :: n. damages claimed and/or awarded in a lawsuit whi ... . See also: damages general damages
special prosecutor :: n. an attorney from outside of the government sele ... Robert Bork finally discharged Cox.
regulations :: n. rules and administrative codes issued by govern ... es usually have similar procedures.
legal advertising :: n. 1) notices of probate sales and other documents ... quality of the lawyers advertising.
cohabitation :: n. living together in the same residence, generall ... xual relationships as cohabitation.
civil :: adj. 1) that part of the law that encompasses busi ... also: civil liberties civil rights
commingling :: n. the act of mixing the funds belonging to one pa ... rust accounts for funds of another.
common counts :: n. claims for debt alleged in a lawsuit (included ... so: cause of action complaint count
compensatory damages :: n. damages recovered in payment for actual injury ... es punitive damages special damages
child support :: n. court-ordered funds to be paid by one parent to ... ild custody divorce spousal support
charity :: n. 1) in general the sentiment of benevolence, doi ... . See also: charitable contribution
carrier :: n. in general, any person or business which transp ... lso: common carrier private carrier
case law :: n. reported decisions of appeals courts and other ... es. See also: case system precedent
case system :: n. the method of studying law generally used in Am ... Langdell and soon became standard.
certificate of title :: n. generally, the title document for a motor vehic ... a "pink slip." See also: pink slip
competent :: adj. 1) in general, able to act in the circumstanc ... all bases. See also: evidence will
conclusion :: n. 1) in general, the end. 2) in a trial, when all ... onclusion of fact conclusion of law
cost of completion :: n. the amount of money (damages) required to compl ... d on percentage of work to be done.
corporation :: n. an organization formed with state governmental ... ation public corporation securities
court-martial :: 1) n. a military court for trying offenses in viol ... the U.S. Court of Military Appeals.
cruel and unusual punishment :: n. governmental penalties against convicted crimin ... opted. See also: capital punishment
damages :: n. the amount of money which a plaintiff (the pers ... liquidated damages special damages
contractor :: n. 1) a person or entity that enters into a contra ... actor mechanic's lien subcontractor
contingent fee :: n. a fee to a lawyer which will be due and payable ... epend on the outcome are unethical.
confession :: n. the statement of one charged with a crime that ... Miranda warning self-incrimination
confidence game :: n. the obtaining of money from others through tric ... t and confidence. See also: swindle
consent decree :: n. an order of a judge based upon an agreement, al ... he same. See also: consent judgment
contempt of court :: n. there are essentially two types of contempt: a) ... roduce evidence. See also: sanction
capital gains :: n. the difference between the sales price and the ... so: basis delayed exchange exchange
canon law :: n. laws and regulations over ecclesiastical (churc ... nduct with no religious connection.
answer :: n. in law, a written pleading filed by a defendant ... emurrer general denial verification
amnesty :: n. a blanket abolition of an offense by the govern ... rget the offenses. See also: pardon
asset :: n. generally any item of property that has monetar ... ill and rights to market a product.
attorney-in-fact :: n. someone specifically named by another through a ... cument. See also: power of attorney
authority :: n. permission, a right coupled with the power to d ... rize ostensible authority principal
advisory opinion :: n. an opinion stated by a judge or a court upon th ... o: actual controversy friendly suit
administrative law judge :: n. a professional hearing officer who works for th ... higher pay in being called "judge."
accounts receivable :: n. the amounts of money due or owed to a business ... sidering the chances of collection.
acknowledge :: v. 1) generally to admit something, whether bad, g ... recording. See also: acknowledgment
act :: 1) n. in general, any action by a person. 2) n. a ... ct on your motion for a new trial."
adjusted basis :: n. in accounting, the original cost of an asset ad ... s taxes. See also: basis income tax
bar :: 1) n. collectively all attorneys, as "the bar," wh ... a room, building, or real property.
barratry :: n. creating legal business by stirring up disputes ... ent he/she has no legitimate claim.
bulk sales acts :: n. state laws (spelled out in the Uniform Commerci ... g without paying current creditors.
business :: n. any activity or enterprise entered into for pro ... pleasure or no particular purpose.
bylaws :: n. the written rules for conduct of a corporation, ... d/or amended. See also: corporation
calumny :: n. the intentional and generally vicious false acc ... 's reputation. See also: defamation
bulk sale :: n. the sale of all or a large part of a merchant's ... entories. See also: bulk sales acts
broker :: n. in general, a person who arranges contracts bet ... security ("hocked") at high rates.
bearer :: n. anyone holding something, such as a check, prom ... bearer paper negotiable instrument
bench :: n. 1) general term for all judges, as in "the benc ... h court judge sidebar witness stand
bill of particulars :: n. a written itemization of claims which a defenda ... the factual bases for the charges.
bottomry :: n. a mortgage contract in which a ship and/or its ... n sell the ship and/or its freight.
debenture :: n. a form of bond certificate issued by a corporat ... n shares of stock or general bonds.
decree :: n. in general, synonymous with judgment. However, ... n's estate, etc. See also: judgment
jobber :: n. a merchant who buys products (usually in bulk o ... buys and acts for specific clients.
irreparable damage or injury :: n. the type of harm which no monetary compensation ... also: equity injunction remedy writ
judge :: 1) n. an official with the authority and responsib ... ice justice of the peace magistrate
judge advocate :: n. a military officer with legal training who has ... ourt-martial judge advocate general
judgment creditor :: n. the winning plaintiff in a lawsuit to whom the ... 's rights judgment prevailing party
intrinsic fraud :: n. an intentionally false representation (lie) whi ... ts. See also: extrinsic fraud fraud
integration :: n. 1) adopting a writing as part of an agreement, ... , as well as racial mix in schools.
implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing :: n. a general assumption of the law of contracts, t ... -long employment. See also: implied
in propria persona :: adj. from Latin "for one's self," acting on one's ... client and an ass for an attorney."
incompatible :: adj. 1) inconsistent. 2) unmatching. 3) unable to ... ch other. See also: incompatibility
incompetent :: adj. 1) referring to a person who is not able to m ... n incompetency incompetent evidence
jurat :: (jur-at) n. Latin for "been sworn," the portion of ... wledgment declaration notary public
jurisdiction :: n. the authority given by law to a court to try ca ... Superior Court Supreme Court venue
abstract :: n. in general, a summary of a record or document, ... tract of judgment abstract of title
libel :: 1) n. to publish in print (including pictures), wr ... libel per se public figure slander
libel per se :: n. broadcast or written publication of a false sta ... See also: defamation libel slander
liberty :: n. freedom from restraint and the power to follow ... the benefit of the general public.
leasehold :: n. the real estate which is the subject of a lease ... sehold. See also: condominium lease
latent defect :: n. a hidden flaw, weakness or imperfection in an a ... warranty product liability warranty
jurisdictional amount :: n. the range between the minimum and maximum amoun ... equirements. See also: jurisdiction
jury :: n. one of the remarkable innovations of the Englis ... hallenge sequester venire voir dire
just compensation :: n. 1) in general a fair and reasonable amount of m ... ation make one whole quantum meruit
landlord's lien :: n. the right of a landlord to sell abandoned perso ... to the ex-tenant and a public sale.
immunity :: n. exemption from penalties, payments or legal req ... ws. See also: governmental immunity
i.e. :: prep. abbreviation for id est, which is Latin for ... "e.g.," which means "for example."
ejusdem generis :: (eh-youse-dem generous) v adj. Latin for "of the s ... t was of land-based transportation.
double taxation :: n. taxation of the same property for the same purp ... it is not discriminatory or unfair.
element :: n. 1) an essential requirement to a cause of actio ... of action crime general plan zoning
encumbrance :: (incumbrance)n. a general term for any claim or li ... and must be paid for at some point.
entity :: n. a general term for any institution, company, co ... is distinguished from individuals.
distress :: 1) n. the self-help taking of another's possession ... rice due to negative circumstances.
disposing mind and memory :: n. the mental ability to understand in general wha ... ng a will. See also: competent will
defense :: n. 1) a general term for the effort of an attorney ... tiff. See also: affirmative defense
denial :: n. a statement in the defendant's answer to a comp ... ative defense answer general denial
disbar :: v. to remove an attorney from the list of practici ... legal ethics. (See moral turpitude
discretion :: n. the power of a judge, public official or a priv ... t a variance to a zoning ordinance.
environmental law :: n. a body of state and federal statutes intended t ... imental effects on the environment.
escrow instructions :: n. the written instructions by buyer and seller of ... ir agents. See also: closing escrow
gross negligence :: n. carelessness which is in reckless disregard for ... damages negligence punitive damages
guest :: n. 1) in general, a person paying to stay in a hot ... ce. See also: guest statute invitee
holder :: n. a general term for anyone in possession of prop ... older in due course promissory note
house counsel :: n. any attorney who works only for a particular bu ... business. See also: general counsel
frisk :: v. quickly patting down the clothes of a possible ... k women and men officers frisk men.
fraud :: n. the intentional use of deceit, a trick or some ... audulent conveyance intrinsic fraud
estate tax :: n. generally a federal tax on the transfer of a de ... commonly called an inheritance tax.
ex rel. :: conj. abbreviation for Latin ex relatione, meaning ... . Archie Johnson v. Hardy Products.
fiduciary relationship :: n. where one person places complete confidence in ... handling. See also: fiduciary trust
first degree murder :: n. although it varies from state to state, it is g ... aughter murder second degree murder
limited liability :: n. the maximum amount a person participating in a ... ted damages partnership shareholder