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Most Popular Legal Definitions

abuse of process

The use of legal process by illegal, malicious, or perverted means; for example, serving a complaint that was not actually filed just to intimidate someone, or filing a lawsuit that has no basis in law.

search warrant

A written order by a judge which permits a law enforcement officer to search another's premises for evidence of criminal activity.

liquidation

The selling of all the assets of a debtor and the use of the cash to pay off creditors.

mandamus

A writ which commands an individual, organization, or court to perform a certain action, usually to correct a prior illegal action or a failure to act in the first place.

covenant

written document in which signatories either commit themselves to do a certain thing, to not do a certain thing or in which they agree on a certain set of facts

council

a formal group of experts brought together on a regular basis to debate matters within that sphere of expertise, and with advisory powers to government

presumption of fact

A conclusion of fact constructed logically from other proven facts.

abuse of discretion

when a trial judge makes an egregious mistake during a trial or on the ruling of a motion that is results in an unfair trial

abstract of title

The written report on a title search which shows the history of ownership on a piece of real estate and any claims against the property.

appeal

1) to ask a higher court to reverse the decision of a trial court after final judgment or other legal ruling 2) the name for the process of appealing, as in "he has filed an appeal"