A court decision in a previous case with facts and points of law similar to a dispute currently pending in court. Judges generally “follow precedents,” that is, they use principles established in previous cases to decide new cases that have similar facts and raise similar legal issues. A judge will disregard precedents if a party can prove that the previous case was ill-decided or that it differs significantly from the current case. Instructions from a judge to the jury before it begins deliberations on the substantive questions to be answered and the legislation to be applied. A written statement filed in court or an appeal that explains a party`s legal and factual arguments. An action brought by a plaintiff against a defendant based on a claim that the defendant failed to comply with a legal obligation that caused harm to the plaintiff. The study of the law and the structure of the legal system Search over 10,000 legal words and phrases for clear definitions in plain language. An easy-to-follow guide to the legal language of Merriam-Webster`s dictionary experts. The primary source for TheFreeDictionary`s legal dictionary is West`s Encyclopedia of American Law, Issue 2, which contains over 4,000 entries describing terms, concepts, events, movements, cases, and individuals relevant to U.S. law. Written statements submitted to the court outlining a party`s legal or factual allegations about the case. The right as set out in previous court decisions. Synonymous with precedent.
Similar to the common law, which stems from tradition and judicial decisions. A full-time lawyer hired by federal courts to legally defend defendants who cannot afford a lawyer. The judiciary administers the Federal Defence Counsel Programme in accordance with criminal law. Governmental body empowered to settle disputes. Judges sometimes use the term “court” to refer to themselves in the third person, as in “the court read the pleadings.” all legal definitions and entries of Wex in alphabetical order All the debtor`s interest in the assets at the time of bankruptcy. The estate technically becomes the temporary legal owner of all of the debtor`s assets. Non-insolvency proceedings in which an applicant or creditor attempts to submit its claim to a debtor`s future wages. In other words, the creditor requests that part of the debtor`s future salary be paid to him for a debt owed to him. The chapter of the Insolvency Code, which provides for the settlement of debts of a “family farmer” or “family fisher”, as defined in the Insolvency Act. Imprisonment for two or more offences to be served simultaneously and not consecutively. Example: Two five-year prison sentences and a three-year term if served at the same time result in a maximum of five years behind bars. The legal power of a court to hear and decide a particular type of case.
It is also used as a synonym for jurisdiction, i.e. the geographical area over which the court has territorial jurisdiction to rule on cases. The Law Dictionary is your free online legal dictionary with Black`s Law Dictionary, the trusted source of legal definitions and terms for over 100 years. The 2nd edition contains over 15,000 legal terms for your commercial and research use. A legal procedure to deal with the debt problems of individuals and companies; in particular, a case filed under one of the chapters of title 11 of the United States Code. In criminal law, the constitutional guarantee that an accused receives a fair and impartial trial. In civil law, the legal rights of a person who is confronted with an adverse act that threatens liberty or property. To define a legal term, enter a word or phrase below. With respect to civil actions in “equity” and not in “law”.
In English legal history, courts of “law” could order the payment of damages and could offer no other remedy (see damages). A separate “fairness” tribunal could order someone to do something or stop something (e.g., injunction). In U.S. jurisprudence, federal courts have both legal and just power, but the distinction is always important. For example, a jury trial is generally available in “legal cases,” but not in “fairness” cases. The Legal Dictionary also contains the People`s Law Dictionary by renowned authorities Gerald and Kathleen Hill. It includes definitions, context and use of over 3,000 terms. Considered by academics, lawyers, leading lawyers, and critics to be one of the most practical works of its kind, the People`s Law Dictionary is a comprehensive source of meanings and uses for thousands of today`s most common legal terms. It has received much praise for its scope and clarity.
The legal system that originated in England and is now used in the United States is based on the articulation of legal principles in a historical succession of judicial decisions. Common law principles can be changed by statute. The resources include monolingual and bilingual reference materials for legal terminology developed by courts, stakeholders and academic institutions. The resources listed include materials that are not products of the National Center for State Court. Wex is a free legal dictionary and encyclopedia sponsored and hosted by the Legal Information Institute of Cornell Law School.