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Most Popular Legal Definitions
implied trust
A trust that is imposed by law onto certain
situations by presuming the intention of the participants to create a trust,
simply because of the facts at hand.
mortgage
An interest given on a piece of land, in writing, to guarantee the payment of a
debt or the execution of some action.
arm's length
the description of an agreement made by two parties freely and independently of
each other, and without having some special relationship; such as being a
relative, having another deal on the side or one party having complete control
of the other
ferae naturae
Latin, "wild in nature."
clear and convincing evidence
Evidence that proves a matter by the "preponderance of evidence" required in
civil cases and beyond the "reasonable doubt" needed to convict in a criminal
case.
concubinage
Civil law term for an unmarried couple living nonetheless as husband and wife
or, where same-sex relationships are recognized by law, such similar
cohabitation relationships.
positive law
Law proper, as opposed to moral laws, or to natural or "God-made" law.
dissent
To disagree. The word is used in legal circles to refer to the minority opinion
of a judge which runs contrary to the conclusions of the majority.
chambers
The private office of a judge, usually close to the courtroom so that the judge
can enter the court from behind the bench and not encounter people on the way.
ad hoc
From Latin, meaning "for this purpose only;" thus, an ad hoc committee is formed
to serve a specific purpose; an ad hoc attorney is hired to handle one problem
and often is a specialist in a particular area.