The Law Dictionary for Everyone
Joint and several liability comes into play in a civil lawsuit in which one party (usually the Plaintiff) is awarded damages from the other party (usually the Defendant). Joint and several liability means that all of the Defendants are responsible for the act, and for the damages. The Plaintiff, however, may seek to collect the awarded damages from all of […]
Read moreIssued by a Grand Jury, an indictment is a formal written charge of a crime, informing the accused individual of the charge against him. In most cases, the issuance of an indictment marks the beginning of the trial process. The indictment contains a brief statement of where and when the crime took place, as well as how the accused allegedly […]
Read moreCollective bargaining is the negotiation process that takes place between an employer and a group of employees when certain issues arise. The employees rely on a union member to represent them during the bargaining process, and the negotiations often relate to regulating such issues as working conditions, employee safety, training, wages, and layoffs. When an agreement is reached, the resulting […]
Read moreFrustration of purpose pertains to the law of contracts, and takes place when unexpected circumstances undermine the purpose of the contract. In order for the principle of frustration of purpose to apply, both parties must have been aware of the primary purpose for the contract to begin with. To explore this concept, consider the following frustration of purpose definition. Noun […]
Read moreArson is the criminal act of burning or charring property on purpose. The act of arson may include such acts as setting fire to a property maliciously, or burning a property with the intent to collect insurance money. While most people consider arson to be the burning of buildings, it may also be the burning of cars, boats, personal property, […]
Read moreImplied authority, also known as “usual authority,” is the authority of an agent acting on behalf of another person or entity. The person acting with implied authority does what is reasonably necessary in order to effectively perform his duties. The acts undertaken surrounding the use of implied authority depend on the circumstances and the case. To explore this concept, consider […]
Read moreIn all states, there is an unwritten promise, also known as “implied promise” that that residential property is suitable to live in. This means the landlord must ensure that the home they are renting or leasing out is compliant with all building codes, and he is responsible for making any repairs necessary to keep it in compliance. This implied warranty […]
Read moreArticle IV, Section 1 of the U.S. Constitution, known as the “Full Faith and Credit Clause,” requires each state to recognize the laws, judicial decisions, and public records of the other states. This section helps ensure that court decisions made in one state will be recognized and honored in every other state. One purpose for this is that it prevents […]
Read morePlaintiff is the term used to describe a party who initiates a court action, whether a lawsuit in civil court, or charges in criminal court, in order to seek a legal remedy. The party responding to the lawsuit, or the person being charged with a crime, is known as the Defendant. In criminal court proceedings, the plaintiff can refer to […]
Read moreJoint Venture meaning in law When two or more parties, whether individuals or entities, enter into an agreement to combine resources for a specific business undertaking, it is referred to as a “joint venture.” The organization of a joint venture serves as a short term partnership for the duration of the project, in which each participant shares responsibility for the […]
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