Nolo’s Free Dictionary Of Law Terms and Legal Definitions

They are the first place you should look when you do not understand what a legal term means. It’s a collection of over a thousand common legal terms defined in simple, everyday language. We cut out the legalese so anyone can make sense of their agreements, contracts, and documents.

Debtor’s plan A debtor’s detailed description of how the debtor proposes to pay creditors’ claims over a fixed period of time. Case law The law as established in previous court decisions. Akin to common law, which springs from tradition and judicial decisions. ˈlawsuit noun a quarrel or disagreement taken to a court of law to be settled. The legal dictionary also incorporates The People’s Law Dictionary, by renowned authorities Gerald and Kathleen Hill. It includes definitions, context, and usage for more than 3,000 terms. It has gained widespread praise for its scope and clarity.

A Dictionary of Law (9 ed.)

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It is a corruption of the Latin phrase “in propria persona.” Motion A request by a litigant to a judge for a decision on an issue relating to the case. Mistrial An invalid trial, caused by fundamental error. When a mistrial is declared, the trial must start again with the selection of a new jury. Ex parte A proceeding brought before a court by one party only, without notice to or challenge by the other side.

Law and order is the condition of a society in which laws are obeyed, and social life and business go on in an organized way. ID Risk Analytics Analyze data to detect, prevent, and mitigate fraud.

Plain Language Law Dictionary

Bankruptcy court The bankruptcy judges in regular active service in each district; a unit of the district court. Bail The release, prior to trial, of a person accused of a crime, under specified conditions designed to assure that person’s appearance in court when required. Also, can refer to the amount of bond money posted as a financial condition of pretrial release. Appeal A request made after a trial by a party that has lost on one or more issues that a higher court review the decision to determine if it was correct.

U.S. attorney A lawyer appointed by the President in each judicial district to prosecute and defend cases for the federal government. The U.S. Attorney employs a staff of Assistant U.S. Attorneys who appear as the government’s attorneys in individual cases. Statute of limitations The time within which a lawsuit must be filed or a criminal prosecution begun.