The Law Dictionary for Everyone
Duress is a compulsion, coercion, or pressure to do something. In a legal sense, this refers to forcing someone to do something, or to sign a contract, by threatening his personal safety, his reputation, or other personal issue. When someone agrees to do something only because he is being threatened – or under duress – the law is likely to […]
Read moreA sublease is a rental agreement between someone who has leased a house or apartment, and another person who wishes take over. Typically, a sublease is created when a tenant finds that he cannot continue meeting the terms of the lease as agreed. In this scenario, the tenant may lease the dwelling out, while remaining liable to the property owner, […]
Read moreThe Truth in Lending Act (TILA) protects consumers from incorrect or unfair credit card practices regarding purchasing and billing. Under the TILA, lenders are required to provide consumers with information relating to loan costs, so they can shop around for loans, as opposed to feeling they have to stick with one particular provider. In this way, the TILA establishes a […]
Read moreGenerally, the term “shoplifting” describes an act of theft committed by someone who steals merchandise from a place of business. Shoplifting may also be referred to as “retail theft,” or the “concealment of merchandise,” depending on which state is defining the crime. Shoplifting is an act of larceny, which is the act of taking someone else’s property without permission, and […]
Read moreSeparation of powers refers to a system of government in which its powers are divided between multiple branches, each branch controlling a different aspect of government. In the United States, governmental authority is divided between the executive branch, which is controlled by the President; the legislative branch, which is controlled by Congress; and the judicial branch, which is controlled by […]
Read moreA trademark is a symbol, design, word, or phrase that identifies one business’ goods or services from those of another. A company may come up with a design that is unique, to stand as a symbol of the company, or a product. For example, McDonald’s has a trademark that is recognized worldwide – a giant yellow “M.” Trademarks in the […]
Read moreSocial contract theory is a political philosophy that questions the origins of society, and the legitimacy of governmental control over individual people. It is an argument that all men have an obligation to “do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Seventeenth century philosopher Thomas Hobbs made the point that, if people aren’t willing to set aside […]
Read moreReapportionment is the process re-distributing seats in the House of Representatives, or other legislative body, according to the population in each state. This example of reapportionment is actually done through a complex mathematical formula that ensures the most even distribution of House seats. While each state gets two seats in the U.S. Senate, each state is given a certain number […]
Read moreSegregation is the act of separating certain people or things from their main group, and keeping them isolated due to the characteristics of that group. In a legal sense, this includes separation due to such traits as race or religion. Insofar as American history is concerned, an example of segregation can be seen in the practice of separating black and […]
Read moreThe term right to die refers to the issue of whether a person who has a terminal illness, or who is facing a lingering death, should be permitted to end his life on his own terms. Someone’s “right to die” sums up all of the decisions involved in such a complex issue. Examples of right to die decisions include whether […]
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