Dictionary of Law

A rule of conduct or procedure established by custom, agreement, or authority. The principles applied in the courts of common law, as distinguished from equity. As to Shannon’s argument that she stepped into her ex’s shoes, the court said that she wasn’t the one who was injured.

Home confinement may include the use of electronic monitoring equipment – a transmitter attached to the wrist or the ankle – to help ensure that the person stays at home as required. Fraudulent transfer A transfer of a debtor’s property made with intent to defraud or for which the debtor receives less than the transferred property’s value. Federal question jurisdiction Jurisdiction given to federal courts in cases involving the interpretation and application of the U.S. Constitution, acts of Congress, and treaties.

Federal Rules of Civil Procedure

Read more about learning the law here. Judge An official of the Judicial branch with authority to decide lawsuits brought before courts. Used generically, the term judge may also refer to all judicial officers, including Supreme Court justices.

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This bestselling dictionary is an authoritative and comprehensive source of jargon-free legal information. Its entries clearly define the major terms, concepts, processes, and organization of the English legal system. Warrant Court authorization, most often for law enforcement officers, to conduct a search or make an arrest. Typing service A business not authorized to practice law that prepares bankruptcy petitions.

Many insurance companies offer disability policies, and if you buy one, it is usually out of your own pocket, which means after tax. In that case, the payments you later receive on disability are tax-free. Enjoy this free online law dictionary search engine for definitions of law terminology and glossary of legal terms. Verdict The decision of a trial jury or a judge that determines the guilt or innocence of a criminal defendant, or that determines the final outcome of a civil case. Plan A debtor’s detailed description of how the debtor proposes to pay creditors’ claims over a fixed period of time.

Front Matter

Priority claim An unsecured claim that is entitled to be paid ahead of other unsecured claims that are not entitled to priority status. Priority refers to the order in which these unsecured claims are to be paid. Postpetition transfer A transfer of the debtor’s property made after the commencement of the case. Plea In a criminal case, the defendant’s statement pleading “guilty” or “not guilty” in answer to the charges. Plaintiff A person or business that files a formal complaint with the court. Per curiam Latin, meaning “for the court.” In appellate courts, often refers to an unsigned opinion.

Assets Property of all kinds, including real and personal, tangible and intangible. Arraignment A proceeding in which a criminal defendant is brought into court, told of the charges in an indictment or information, and asked to plead guilty or not guilty. Appellee The party who opposes an appellant’s appeal, and who seeks to persuade the appeals court to affirm the district court’s decision. Appellant The party who appeals a district court’s decision, usually seeking reversal of that decision. Affirmed In the practice of the court of appeals, it means that the court of appeals has concluded that the lower court decision is correct and will stand as rendered by the lower court.