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Most Popular Legal Definitions

surety

A guarantor of payment or performance if another fails to pay or perform, such as a bonding company which posts a bond for a guardian, an administrator or a building contractor.

calendar

1) the list of cases to be called for trial before a particular court; 2) to set and give a date and time for a case, petition, or motion to be heard by a court

negotiate

To communicate on a matter of disagreement between two parties, with a view to first listen to the other party's perspective and to then attempt to arrive at a resolution by consensus.

mercy

to be placed at the discretion of a judge in relation to punishable offenses

holograph will

A will that is not witnessed and is written in the handwriting of the testator.

arraign

to bring a criminal defendant before the court, at which time the charges are presented to them, the opportunity to enter a plea is given, a determination of whether the party has a lawyer is made, if necessary settling the amount of bail, and future appearances are scheduled

refugee

A person who is outside his state of origin or of residence who cannot return without exposure to human-rights related persecution.

caveat

From Latin caveat for "let him beware." 1) A warning or caution. 2) A popular term used by lawyers to point out that there may be a hidden problem or defect.

unfavorable witness

A witness that merely gives unfavorable answers to questions posed during examination in chief, that party may not cross examine the witness but may still lead evidence in contradiction.

assess

set a value on property