Adverse Interest

right or concern that is contrary to the interest or claim of another

Adverse Party

opposite side in a lawsuit

Adverse Possession

means to acquire title to land through obvious occupancy of the land, while claiming ownership for the period of years set by the law of the state where the property exists

Adverse Witness

a witness in a trial who is found by the judge to be adverse to the position of the party whose attorney is questioning the witness, even thought he attorney called the witness to testify on his client

Advisory Opinion

an opinion stated by a judge or a court upon the request of a legislative body or government agency; an advisory opinion has no force of law but is given as a matter of courtesy

Advocacy

act of favoring or supporting a body of work or individual

Affiant

person who signs an affidavit and swears to its truth before a notary public or some person authorized to take oaths, like a county clerk

Affidavit

1) any written document in which the signer swears under oath before a notary public or someone authorized to take oaths that the statements in the document are true 2) In many states, a declaration under penalty of perjury, which does not require the oath-taking before a notary, is the equivalent of an affidavit

Affirm

1) to offer a declaration of support in a judicial capacity 2) what an appeals court does if it agrees with and confirms a lower court's decision 3) to state positively 

Affirmative Action

The process of a business or governmental agency in which it gives special rights of hiring or advancement to ethnic minorities