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Most Popular Legal Definitions
arbiter
in some jurisdictions, the name for a referee
appointed by the court to decide a question and report back in court, which must
confirm the arbiter's finding before it is binding on the parties
subordination
To be subject to the orders or direction of
another; of lower rank
twinkie defense
a claim by a criminal defendant that at the time
of the crime he/she was of diminished mental capacity due to intake of too much
sugar.
decree nisi
provisional decision of a court which does not have force or effect until a
certain condition is met such as another petition brought before the court or
after the passage of a period of time
dower
A widow's life estate interest in her husband's
real property if he died.
lessee
The person to whom is granted exclusive possession of a thing under the terms of
a lease.
affix
1) to attach something to real estate in a permanent way, including planting
trees and shrubs, constructing a building, or adding to existing improvements;
affixed items are permanent and cannot be picked up and moved away 2) to sign or
seal, "affix a signature or a seal"
damages
cash compensation ordered by a court to offset losses or suffering caused by
another's fault or negligence
accord and satisfaction
an agreement to accept less than is legally due in order to wrap up a specified
matter; once the accord and satisfaction is established, and the amount paid,
the debt is cleared
alternative pleading
legal fiction in which a party to a lawsuit or a defendant charged with a crime
can plead two ways which are inconsistent with each other; examples: a) someone
hurt in an accident can plead that the other party was negligent or ran into him
intentionally b) "not guilty" and "not guilty by reason of insanity" (in which
there is the implied admission that the defendant committed the act)