Legal dictionary
Available entries: 385 entries
Entries: 385
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Legal dictionary
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A fortiori
Used either to express the view that something that is true for one case is even more true in another case, or that if one thing is true then the second thing must also be true. Legal dictionary
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Ab initio
A Latin term meaning from the beginning. The phrase is used to mean that the cancellation of an agreement or right applies retrospectively, so that it is as if the agreement or right never existed in the first place. Legal dictionary
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Abandonment
The act of giving up something voluntarily with the intention of not reclaiming it. For example, vacating a property without the intention of returning. The term includes both the external act and the intention to carry it into effect. There can be no abandonment without the intention to abandon. Legal dictionary
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Abatement
A court decision that is suspended, or simply closing the case before the final decision is reached; to reduce or eliminate polluting or hazardous substances by removing them or putting in place a more efficient waste management plan; a reduction in the amount of an invoice or bill due to factors such as demurrage, overtime penalty or rent. Legal dictionary
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Abeyance
A situation where ownership of something has not been established. For example, where the title/ownership of real property in the estate of a person that has died has not been determined because there is no obvious party to receive title or there appears to be no legal owner of the property. Legal dictionary
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Abolish
Refers to the ending of a system, practice or institution forever. Legal dictionary
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Abrogation
The act of repealing, annulling or cancelling a law, treaty or political arrangement, often without the agreement of the other people or groups involved. Legal dictionary
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Acceleration clause
A clause in a contract, usually a loan agreement, requiring the borrower to make full payment sooner than originally agreed upon the occurrence of an event stated in the contract. Legal dictionary
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Acceptance
The demonstration of agreement with the terms and conditions of another person’s offer so that the offer becomes a formal contract between the two parties. Legal dictionary
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Acquittal
A formal declaration in court that a person is not guilty of a crime they were accused of. This also applies where the prosecution is abandoned. Legal dictionary
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Actual possession
Physical control over a material object, or actual occupation of real property. Legal dictionary
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Actus reus
Also known as the external element or the objective element of a crime. It is the Latin term for a guilty act which, when proved beyond a reasonable doubt in combination with the mens rea, produces criminal liability. Legal dictionary
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Adjourn
To postpone action of a convened court until another time specified, or indefinitely, the latter usually being called to adjourn sine die. Legal dictionary
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Adverse inference
An inference drawn from silence or absence of requested evidence which is adverse to the party concerned. The rule applies not only to evidence which is destroyed, but also to evidence which exists but the party refuses to produce, and to evidence which the party has under his/her control, and which is not produced. Legal dictionary
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Advocacy
Is the act of pleading or arguing a case or position, usually by way of an advocate who is a person appointed/authorised to speak on behalf of a person in a legal process. Legal dictionary
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