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Available entries: 385 entries
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Intangible
Something that does not physically exist, such as an idea. In its legal context, the word is more often used to refer to an intangible asset or property, sometimes referred to as incorporeal property, such as copyright, trademarks or patents. Legal dictionary
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Intestacy
Refers to the estate of a person who has died owning property whose value is greater than the sum of the enforceable debts and funeral expenses without having made a valid Will. It may also apply where a valid Will has been made, but only applies to part of the estate with the part not covered by the Will becoming the intestate estate. Legal dictionary
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Copyright
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. Legal dictionary
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Perjury
The intentional act of swearing a false oath, whether spoken or in writing, concerning matters material to an official proceeding. Contrary to the popular misconception, no crime has occurred when the false statement is made under oath. Criminal culpability only attaches at the instant the false statement has a material outcome to the proceedings. For example, it is not perjury to lie under oath in court about your age, except where your age is material in influencing the outcome of the proceedings. Legal dictionary
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Garnishee proceedings
Court proceedings against a person who owes money to another person, and which could lead to the making of a garnishee order (allowing the taking away of part of the debtor’s income to pay the person or institution the money owed by the debtor). Legal dictionary
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Personal liability
The responsibility of a person to pay a debt or other financial obligation. If an individual signs a promissory note, that individual usually has full personal liability for the debt. An exception is the unusual situation of a non-recourse individual loan, in which the lender agrees to look only to the collateral for recovery in the event of default. Legal dictionary
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Duty of care
A legal obligation imposed on an individual requiring adherence to a standard of reasonable care while performing any acts (or failing to perform an act) which results in harm to others which was reasonably foreseeable. Legal dictionary
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Theft
The taking of another person’s property without that person’s permission or consent, with the intent to deprive the rightful owner of it permanently. Legal dictionary
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Sharia
The Islamic legal system derived from the religious precepts of Islam, particularly the Koran and the Hadith. It is an Arabic language term meaning a body of moral and religious law derived from religious prophecy. Legal dictionary
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Sub judice
Latin for ‘under judgment’. Where a particular case is either in process of trial or being considered by a court or judge. Legal dictionary
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Negligence
The failure to do something which a reasonable person would do in a particular situation, or doing something which a reasonable and prudent person would not do in similar circumstances. If an injured person proves that another person acted negligently and caused their injury, they can recover damages to compensate for their injury. Legal dictionary
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Merchantability
Refers to goods being appropriate for the ordinary purpose for which they were made and sold. This is an implied warranty and breach of it would give rise to a claim for compensation. Legal dictionary
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Arbitration
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. Legal dictionary
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Repatriation
The process of returning a person to their place of origin or citizenship, including refugees following a war. Legal dictionary
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Talaq
An Islamic divorce which involves the husband either pronouncing the words ‘I divorce you’ on three separate occasions, so that the parties can effectively reconcile the marriage twice before the third pronouncement, or where a husband pronounces the same words three times in one sitting to make the divorce final without any opportunity to effect a recociliation. The latter method is sometimes called the triple talaq and is the method most commonly used. Once the talaq has been pronounced three times the husband and wife cannot be married again until the wife has married and divorced another husband. Legal dictionary
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