The Law Dictionary for Everyone
A republic is a form of government in which the citizens elect representatives, who make all of the decisions for them. This is different from a democracy, in which the people make their own decisions on important issues by voting. This form of government does not have a monarch, but an elected leader. The first republic may have originated in […]
Read moreResignation is the process of stepping down from a job, either voluntarily or involuntarily, with the latter often resulting from less-than-pleasant scenarios. An example of resignation on an involuntary basis may occur when a disgraced C.E.O. is forced to step down from his role with the company, in order to avoid further scrutiny. Once someone has announced or handed in […]
Read moreA responsibility is a particular obligation for which an individual is to be held accountable, in order to remain upstanding member of a group or community. Good examples of responsibility, include the requirement for a student to complete all of the necessary coursework to graduate on time with the rest of his class, and the need for a parent to […]
Read moreRepublicanism is defined as a preference for a republican form of government. Those who favor republicanism have a strong dislike of monarchies that are passed down as an inheritance, such as that of England’s royal family. Rather, supporters of republicanism prefer their government to be a self-government, established by the citizens of their particular country. To explore this concept, consider […]
Read moreWhen one party makes an assertion about something, another party may make an argument against it. This is known as a rebuttal, which is a contradictory argument or evidence. Rebuttals are commonly seen in debates, and in legal actions, and are an opportunity for the opposing party to essentially say This is why you’re wrong. In a legal sense, a […]
Read moreRenters’ rights, which are more commonly referred to a “tenants’ rights,” are rights afforded to a person or group who rents, or who is interested in renting, a parcel of land, a house, or an office building. Renters are entitled to move into a home or office building that has been officially deemed clean and safe to occupy. Renters are […]
Read moreIn a legal sense, the term predicate means to base something, such as a fact, statement, or action, on another thing. For instance, a person may agree to give a crate of baseball bats to the local little league, predicated on (or based on) a parent’s withdrawal of a lawsuit. The term is also used in criminal law, as a […]
Read moreA regressive tax is a tax that takes a greater percentage of income from those who earn less, than from those with a higher income. In other words, low income people pay more, relative to their earnings, than wealthy people. A regressive tax is the exact opposite of a progressive tax, which takes the larger percentage from those who earn […]
Read moreRepression is the act of holding something or someone back, or holding something or someone down. Feelings can be repressed, like when someone is trying not to cry; or society can be repressed, if its government limits the people’s freedoms. An example of repression lies in women being denied certain rights, such as voting, in certain countries. To explore this […]
Read moreRecrimination refers to responding to an accusation with another accusation of one’s own; it amounts to a series of mutual accusations. This involves hurling accusations or insults back at the opponent in an argument. In law, recrimination is commonly seen in divorce cases. An example of recrimination might occur if a husband accuses his wife of certain misconduct within the […]
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