lawyer

Law book - n. any of numerous volumes dealing with law, including statutes, reports of cases, digests of cases, commentaries on particular topics, encyclopedias, textbooks, summaries of the law, dictionaries, legal forms and various combinations of these such as case reports with commentaries. Statutes of every state and the Federal Code are published, usually with comments, "annotations" and brief statements of decisions which contribute to the interpretations of each particular statute. The written reports of appellate cases are collected for every state, the federal government, England and many other countries. Collections of digests (brief summaries) of case decisions divided by topics are available for each state as well as federal rulings. There are books on almost every legal subject. Almost all collections of statutes, digests, form books and commentaries are regularly updated with the latest decisions, legislative enactments and recent comments, often with loose-leaf "pocket parts" added each year, and completely new volumes when numerous changes have accumulated. Many of the books are now being replaced or supplemented by computer disks or computer modem services. The earliest known law book was written in 2100 B.C. for the king of Ur.

abortion. n. the termination of pregnancy by various means. ed abortion continue in the future.

acknowledgment. n. the section at the end of a document where a no. me leases and various other papers.

administrative law. n. the procedures created by administrative agenci. judge Administrative Procedure Act

administrator. n. the person appointed by the court to handle the. e also: administer executor probate

admiralty. n. concerning activities which occur at sea, inclu. "proctors." See also: maritime law

adoption. n. the taking of a child into one's family, creati. the child are met. See also: adopt

adultery. n. consensual sexual relations when one of the par. s and grist for scandal newspapers.

advisory opinion. n. an opinion stated by a judge or a court upon th. o: actual controversy friendly suit

amend. v. to alter or change by adding, subtracting, or s. mended pleading statute stipulation

American Bar Association. n. the largest organization of American lawyers, w. go, IL 60611; tel. (312) 988-5522.

answer. n. in law, a written pleading filed by a defendant. emurrer general denial verification

antitrust laws. n. acts adopted by Congress to outlaw or restrict. so: price fixing restraint of trade

appeal. 1) v. to ask a higher court to reverse the decisio. ng, as in "he has filed an appeal."

arrest. v. 1) to take or hold a suspected criminal with le. anda warning probable cause warrant

attorney. n. 1) an agent or someone authorized to act for an. ialize. See also: court reciprocity

Attorney General. n. in each state and the federal government the hi. izenry. See also: Solicitor General

attorney's fee. n. the payment for legal services. It can take sev. ees in the particular type of case.

authorities. n. 1) previous decisions by courts of appeal which. also: brief cite decision precedent

bank. n. 1) an officially chartered institution empowere. erred to as "in bank" or "en banc."

bankruptcy. n. a federal system of statutes and courts which p. y proceedings trustee in bankruptcy

bankruptcy proceedings. n. the bankruptcy procedure is: a) filing a petiti. ankruptcy court claim in bankruptcy

bar examination. n. the examination given in each state by either t. n that district. See also: attorney

Bill of Rights. n. the first ten amendments to the federal Constit. ved to the states or to the people.

brief. 1) n. a written legal argument, usually in a forma. another person. See also: precedent

cartel. n. 1) an arrangement among supposedly independent. Colombia. See also: antitrust laws

case. n. short for a cause of action, lawsuit, or the ri. ny, the court stated the rule as:."

case law. n. reported decisions of appeals courts and other. es. See also: case system precedent

case of first impression. n. a case in which a question of interpretation of. rts may be examined as a guideline.

case system. n. the method of studying law generally used in Am. Langdell and soon became standard.

child custody. n. a court's determination of which parent, relati. pport custody divorce joint custody

citation. n. 1) a notice to appear in court due to the proba. se is not in point." See also: cite

civil. adj. 1) that part of the law that encompasses busi. also: civil liberties civil rights

civil law. n. 1) a body of laws and legal concepts which come. generic term for non-criminal law.

civil procedure. n. the complex and often confusing body of rules a. l civil action civil code civil law

code. n. a collection of written laws gathered together. utes or laws. See also: law statute

comity. n. when one court defers to the jurisdiction of an. of cases to which comity may apply.

common law. n. the traditional unwritten law of England, based. plied without reference to statute.

comparative negligence. n. a rule of law applied in accident cases to dete. utory negligence damages negligence

complaint. n. the first document filed with the court (actual. g prayer service of process summons

conclusion of law. n. a judge's final decision on a question of law w. aw if requested. See also: judgment

conflict of law. n. a situation in which both state and federal law. y arose. See also: forum preemption

constitution. n. the fundamental, underlying document which esta. ts common law constitutional rights

constitutional rights. n. rights given or reserved to the people by the U. e also: Bill of Rights constitution

constructive notice. n. a fiction that a person got notice even though. personally. See also: constructive

consumer protection laws. n. almost all states and the federal government ha. rranty product liability securities

contingent fee. n. a fee to a lawyer which will be due and payable. epend on the outcome are unethical.

controlling law. n. the laws of the state which will be relied upon. will be that of a particular state.

copyright. 1) n. the exclusive right of the author or creator. plagiarism public domain trademark

corporation. n. an organization formed with state governmental. ation public corporation securities

counterclaim. n. a retaliatory claim by a defendant against a pl. d. See also: answer cross-complaint

court. n. 1) the judge, as in "The court rules in favor o. cost and wait of full court trials.

criminal calendar. n. the list of criminal cases to be called in cour. e plea preliminary hearing sentence

damages. n. the amount of money which a plaintiff (the pers. liquidated damages special damages

deed. 1) n. the written document which transfers title (. veyance deed of trust warranty deed

demurrer. n. (dee-muhr-ur) a written response to a complaint. demurrer. See also: motion pleading

descent. n. the rules of inheritance established by law in. on inheritance intestate succession

dictum. n. Latin for "remark," a comment by a judge in a d. cta)." See also: dicta obiter dicta

discrimination. n. unequal treatment of persons, for a reason whic. qual rights. See also: civil rights

diversity of citizenship. n. when opposing parties in a lawsuit are citizens. unt in controversy exceeds $10,000.

due process of law. n. a fundamental principle of fairness in all lega. procedural and substantive rights.

eminent domain. n. the power of a governmental entity (federal, st. ngs. See also: condemn condemnation

entrapment. n. in criminal law, the act of law enforcement off. e drugs if not pressed by the narc?

equal opportunity. 1) n. a right supposedly guaranteed by both federa. be so. See also: affirmative action

equal protection of the law. n. the right of all persons to have the same acces. laws." See also: due process of law

equity. n. 1) a venerable group of rights and procedures t. ry enjoin equitable injunction writ

extradition. n. the surrender by one state or country of a pers. ty. See also: fugitive from justice

fair comment. n. a statement of opinion (no matter how ludicrous. amation libel public figure slander

fair trade laws. n. state laws which permit manufacturers or produc. state constitutions in many states.

file. 1) v. to deposit with the clerk of the court a wri. rrespondence and notes on the case.

grandfather clause. n. 1) a clause in a statute or zoning ordinance (p. Such laws are now unconstitutional.

grantor-grantee index. n. a set of books and/or computerized lists found. ument in tracking a chain of title.

guest statute. n. a state law which sets standards of care by the. sked to be let out. See also: guest

habeas corpus. (hay-bee-us core-puss) n. Latin for "you have the. nality of a state court conviction.

harassment. (either harris-meant or huh-rass-meant) n. the act. See also: harass sexual harassment

hit and run. n. the crime of a driver of a vehicle who is invol. and then walks back to the scene.

in terrorem clause. (in tehr-roar-em)n. from Latin for "in fear," a pr. e gift. See also: will will contest

incorporate. v. 1) to obtain an official charter or articles of. te by reference incorporation stock

insanity. n. mental illness of such a severe nature that a p. M'Naughten rule temporary insanity

interrogatories. n. a set of written questions to a party to a laws. ing. See also: deposition discovery

interstate commerce. n. commercial trade, business, movement of goods o. and the I.C.C. may soon be history.

issue. 1) n. a person's children or other lineal descenda. the body incorporation share stock

joinder of issue. n. that point in a lawsuit when the defendant has. matters are to be decided by trial.

joint custody. n. in divorce actions, a decision by the court (of. em. See also: child custody divorce

Jones Act. n. adj. a federal law which covers injuries to cr. " See also: admiralty maritime law

judge. 1) n. an official with the authority and responsib. ice justice of the peace magistrate

jurisdiction. n. the authority given by law to a court to try ca. Superior Court Supreme Court venue

jury. n. one of the remarkable innovations of the Englis. hallenge sequester venire voir dire

law. n. 1) any system of regulations to govern the cond. um maritime law natural law statute

legal advertising. n. 1) notices of probate sales and other documents. quality of the lawyers advertising.

legal age. n. the age at which a person is responsible for hi. so: infancy juvenile court minority

libel. 1) n. to publish in print (including pictures), wr. libel per se public figure slander

limited partnership. n. a special type of partnership which is very com. mited liability partner partnership

living will. n. also called "a durable power of attorney," it i. upport. See also: power of attorney

long-arm statute. n. law which gives a local state court jurisdictio. rt jurisdiction over the defendant.

malpractice. n. An act or continuing conduct of a professional. eed. See also: errors and omissions

mandamus. (man-dame-us) n. Latin for "we order," a writ (mor. mandamus. See also: writ of mandate

Mann Act. n. a federal statute making it a crime to transpor. is five years in a federal prison.

marriage. n. the joining of a male and female in matrimony b. of time without legal formalities.

marshal. 1) n. a federal court official who may serve paper. tablish priorities among creditors.

maxims. n. a collection of legal truisms which are used as. e and the ordinary habits of life."

memorandum. n. 1) a brief writing, note, summary or outline. 2. r "The decision below is affirmed."

mortgage. n. a document in which the owner pledges his/her/i. losure notice of default trust deed

motion for a summary judgment. n. a written request for a judgment in the moving. strict procedures. See also: motion

municipal court. n. a lower court which usually tries criminal misd. nd/or small claims. See also: court

murder. n. the killing of a human being by a sane person. premeditation second degree murder

no fault insurance. n: a type of automobile insurance required of car. ling lawsuits. See also: negligence

non-profit corporation. n. an organization incorporated under state laws a. harity corporation cy pres doctrine

not guilty. n. 1) plea of a person who claims not to have comm. t guilty by reason of insanity plea

notary public. n. a person authorized by the state in which the p. he state which appoints the notary.

object. 1) v. to ask the court not to allow a particular q. he contract. " See also: objection

occupy the field. v. to preempt (monopolize) an area of statutory la. ertain topics. See also: preemption

of counsel. adj. reference to an attorney who is not actively. quiring his/her full-time presence.

on the merits. adj. referring to a judgment, decision or ruling o. s if this mistake had not occurred.

oral contract. n. an agreement made with spoken words and either. itten. See also: agreement contract

palimony. n. a substitute for alimony in cases in which the. the relationship. See also: alimony

peremptory challenge. n. the right of the plaintiff and the defendant in. challenge for cause jury voir dire

petition. 1) n. a formal written request to a court for an o. dent. See also: divorce motion writ

power of attorney. n. a written document signed by a person giving an. y, as in a real estate transaction.

precedent. 1) n. a prior reported opinion of an appeals court. to perform. See also: stare decisis

preemption. n. the rule of law that if the federal government. cs control may parallel each other.

privileged communication. n. statements and conversations made under circums. See also: attorney-client privilege

privileges and immunities. n. the fundamental rights that people enjoy in fre. t impinge on constitutional rights.

procedure. n. the methods and mechanics of the legal process. cases are tried and judgments made.

promissory note. n. a written promise by a person (variously called. lso: interest obligee obligor usury

proof. n. confirmation of a fact by evidence. In a trial. doubt preponderance of the evidence

prosecute. v. 1) in criminal law, to charge a person with a c. rney General prosecution prosecutor

prosecution. n. 1) in criminal law, the government attorney cha. se). See also: prosecute prosecutor

public defender. n. an elected or appointed public official (usuall. to convicted indigents for appeals.

rape. 1) n. the crime of sexual intercourse (with actual. See also: date rape statutory rape

regulations. n. rules and administrative codes issued by govern. es usually have similar procedures.

reports. n. the published decisions of appeals courts in al. ilable in almost all law libraries.

Restatement of the Law. n. a series of detailed statements of the basic la. tracts, property, torts and trusts.

retroactive. adj. referring to a court's decision or a statute. ospective." See also: ex post facto

review. n. the judicial consideration of a lower court jud. ate court reversal reversible error

ripe. adj. in constitutional law, referring to a law cas. or more issues raised by the case.

rule. 1) v. to decide a legal question, by a court, as i. ee also: regulations rules of court

sanction. n. 1) a financial penalty imposed by a judge on a. ction." See also: contempt of court

search warrant. n. a written order by a judge which permits a law. ble cause search search and seizure

sentence. 1) n. the punishment given to a person convicted o. ence restitution suspended sentence

separate property. n. in community property states (California, Texas. pouse. See also: community property

service. n. 1) paid work by another person, either by contr. ersonal services service of process

service of process. n. the delivery of copies of legal documents such. by publication substituted service

Shepardize. n. a method of locating reports of appeals decisio. m prior case law. See also: reports

sheriff. n. the top law enforcement officer for a county, u. " See also: bailiff sheriff's sale

shield laws. n. statutes enacted in some states which declare t. See also: privileged communication

small claims court. n. a division of most municipal, city or other low. od example of a small claims court.

speaking demurrer. n. an attempt to introduce evidence during a heari. the operation." See also: demurrer

special circumstances. n. in criminal cases, particularly homicides, acti. urant. See also: capital punishment

standing. n. the right to file a lawsuit or file a petition. so: actual controversy jurisdiction

status conference. n. a pre-trial meeting of attorneys before a judge. g a trial date. See also: discovery

statute. n. a federal or state written law enacted by the C. and proclamations are not statutes.

statute of limitations. n. a law which sets the maximum period which one c. ies. See also: demurrer laches toll

summary adjudication of issues. n. a court order ruling that certain factual issue. is made. See also: summary judgment

summary judgment. n. a court order ruling that no factual issues rem. tion summary adjudication of issues

supra. (sooh-prah) Latin for "above," in legal briefs and. d as Guinn v. United States, supra.

supremacy clause. n. Article VI, section 2 of the U.S. Constitution. f involving a constitutional issue.

legal definition ministerial act. n. an act, particularly of a governmental employee. exercising any individual judgment.

chancery legal definition. n. a court that can order acts performed. Today ch. ts in most states. See also: equity

labor and materials. (time and materials) n. what some builders or repa. track of actual labor hours worked.

laches. n. the legal doctrine that a legal right or claim. breach of contract, fraud, etc.).

land. n. real property, real estate (and all that grows. See also: real estate real property

landlady. n. female of landlord or owner of real property fr. rents or leases. See also: landlord

landlocked. adj. referring to a parcel of real property which. which it was created (carved out).

landlord. n. a person who owns real property and rents or le. so: lease lessee lessor rent tenant

landlord and tenant. n. the name for the area of law concerning renting. ord lease lessee lessor rent tenant

landlord's lien. n. the right of a landlord to sell abandoned perso. to the ex-tenant and a public sale.

lapse. 1) v. to fail to occur, particularly a gift made i. eficiary devisee legatee trust will

larceny. n. the crime of taking the goods of another person. grand larceny petty larceny theft

last antecedent rule. n. a doctrine of interpretation (construction) of. o trucks and not boats or tractors.

last clear chance. n. a rule of law in determining responsibility for. contributory negligence negligence