District Court

the location, pertaining to a specific legal district, where federal cases are initially heard

Diversity Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction of a US federal court to dispose of a matter meeting a monetary threshold even though it involves residents of different states.

Dividend

A proportionate distribution of profits made in the form of a money payment to shareholders, by a for-profit corporation. Dividends are declared by a company's board of directors.

Divorce

The legal ending of a marriage by court order.

Docket

An official court record book which lists all cases before the court and which may also note the status or action required for each case.

Doctrine

A rule or principle or the law established through the repeated application of legal precedents.

Domestic Animal

A pet; dogs, cats or other tame animals or birds and which serve some purpose for its owner or others.

Domicile

The permanent residence of a person; a place to which, even if he or she were temporary absent, they intend to return.

Dominant Tenement

Used when referring to easements to specify that property (i.e. tenement) or piece of land that benefits from, or has the advantage of, an easement.

Dominion Utile

Latin for 'the property rights of a tenant'.