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Most Popular Legal Definitions

distress

A common law remedy available to landlords to hold the tenant's belongings while the tenant is behind on rent but continues to occupy the premises.

right against self-incrimination

provided by the fifth amendment in the US Constitution; it allows an individual to refuse to answer questions or provide other evidence that would lead to criminal prosecution without presupposing guilt 

admission against interest

admission of the truth of a fact by any person, but especially by the parties to a lawsuit, when a statement obviously would do that person harm, be embarrassing, or be against his/her personal or business interests

jus ex injuria non oritur

Latin, a legal right or entitlement cannot arise from an unlawful act or omission.

diplomacy

peaceful representations between states

civil procedure

The complex and often confusing body of rules and regulations set out in both state and federal laws which establish the format under which civil lawsuits are filed, pursued and tried. Civil procedure refers only to form and procedure, and not to the substantive law which gives people the right to sue or defend a lawsuit.

bifurcate

the order or ruling of a judge that one issue in a case can be tried to a conclusion or a judgment given on one phase of the case without trying all aspects of the matter

assumption of risk

1) taking a chance in a potentially dangerous situation, for example; by going on a ski-lift the person claims a certain assumption of risk 2) act of contracting to take over the risk, such as buying the right to a shipment and accepting the danger it could be damaged or unprofitable

creditor

one who grants or is owed an agreed upon obligation

without prejudice

A reservation made on a statement or an offer that it is not an admission or cannot otherwise be used against the issuing party in future dealings or litigation with any determinative legal effect.