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.

Clear And Present Danger

The doctrine established in an opinion written by Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. in Schenk vs. United States (1919) which is used to determine if a situation creates a threat to the public, individual citizens or to the nation. If so, limits can be placed on First Amendment freedoms of speech, press or assembly.

Clear Title

Holding ownership to real property without any claims by others on the owner's title and no history of past claims which might affect the ownership.

Clerk

An official or employee who handles the business of a court or a system of courts, maintains files of each case.

Co-operative

a group of people formed as a separate organization and which has as a stated purpose either in regards to the public at-large or in regards to the common interests of the members

Code

a system of rules set-forth by an appropriate body or power

Codicil

An amendment to an existing will. The will is only changed to the extent of the codicil.

Collateral

Property which has been committed to guarantee a loan.

Collateral Source Rule

a rule of tort law which holds that the tort-feasor is not allowed to deduct from the amount he or she would be held to pay to the victim of the tort, any goods, services or money received by that victim from other 'collateral' sources as a result of the tort

Collective Bargaining

trade agreement negotiation between an employer and a person's representative to govern hiring, work, pay and dispute resolution