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Most Popular Legal Definitions

non-suit

A ruling by the judge in a lawsuit that terminates the trial at that point and results in a dismissal of the plaintiff's case and judgment for the defendant.

silent partner

A person who invests in a company or partnership but does not take part in administering or directing the organization.

conspiracy

an agreement between two or more persons to commit a criminal act

minutes

The official record of a meeting.

booby trap

A device set up to be triggered to harm or kill anyone entering the trap, such as a shotgun which will go off if a room is entered, or dynamite which will explode if the ignition key on an auto is turned. If a person sets up such a trap to protect his/her property, he/she will be liable for any injury or death even to an unwanted intruder such as a burglar. Setting a booby trap to even protect one's property is a crime.

in loco parentis

Latin, a person who thought not the natural parent, has acted as a parent to a child and may thus be liable to legal obligations as if they were a natural parent.

aliquot

a definite fractional share, usually applied when dividing and distributing a deceased person's estate or trust assets

literal construction

A form of construction which does not allow evidence extrapolated beyond the actual words of a phrase or document but, rather, takes the phrase or document at face value, giving effect only to the actual words used.

proof of common form

An approval of an uncontested will by the court, subject to subsequent contest.

ab initio

From Latin, "from the start". For example, "The contract was void ab initio."