Search Dictionary


Terms:

Browse Alphabetically (A-Z)

A  |   B  |   C  |   D  |   E  |   F  |   G  |   H  |   I  |   J  |   K  |   L  |   M  |   N  |   O  |   P  |   Q  |   R  |   S  |   T  |   U  |   V  |   W  |   X  |   Y  |   Z  |  

Most Popular Legal Definitions

nugatory

Of no force or effect; invalid.

pendente lite

Latin for "during litigation."

bar

1)  collectively all attorneys, as "the bar," which comes from the bar or railing which separates the general spectator area of the courtroom from the area reserved for judges, attorneys, parties and court officials 2) to prevent some legal maneuver, as in "barring" a lawsuit due to the running out of the time to file 3) to prohibit and keep someone from entering a room, building or real property

aleatory

uncertain; usually applied to insurance contracts in which payment is dependent on the occurrence of a contingent event, such as injury to the insured person in an accident

clear and convincing evidence

Evidence that proves a matter by the "preponderance of evidence" required in civil cases and beyond the "reasonable doubt" needed to convict in a criminal case.

unconscionable

Referring to a contract or bargain which is so unfair to a party that no reasonable or informed person would agree to it.

bilateral contract

an agreement in which the parties exchange promises for each to do something in the future

suit

Generic term for any filing of a complaint (or petition) asking for legal redress by judicial action.

distraint

The right of a landlord to seize the property of a tenant which is in the premises being rented, as collateral against a tenant that has not paid the rent or has otherwise defaulted on 
the lease, such as wanton disrepair or destruction of the premises.

lis pendens

Latin, a dispute or matter which is the subject of ongoing or pending litigation.