Sometimes known as a repudiatory breach, is a breach of an essential part of a contract that it permits the distressed party to terminate performance of the contract, in addition to entitling that party to sue for damages.

A legal document, usually in writing, giving details of a formal legally binding agreement, between two or more different people or groups. To be legally binding it must contain certain elements: it must contain an offer made by one party and accepted in its entirety by the other, it must include some form of consideration whether it be money, goods or services, and it must be properly signed by all parties to it, and dated.

The reference of a dispute to an impartial person or persons chosen by the parties who agree in advance to abide by the arbitration award issued after the hearing at which both parties are given an opportunity to be heard.

Is a recognisable sign, design or expression which identifies products or services of a particular source from those of others, although trademarks used to identify services are usually called service marks. The trademark owner can be an individual, business organisation or any legal entity. A trademark can be located on a package, a label, a voucher, or the product itself. Words that merely name the maker (but without particular lettering) or a generic name for the product are not trademarks. While a trademark may exist from its first use, it is wise to register it in order to prove its use and ownership and afford protection against use by others.

A legal device that gives the creator of literary, artistic, musical or other creative work the sole right to publish and sell that work. Copyright owners have the right to control the reproduction of their work, including the right to receive payment for that reproduction. An author may grant or sell those rights to others, including publishers and recording companies. Violation of copyright is called infringement. The typical duration of copyright is the author’s life plus fifty years.