The Law Dictionary for Everyone
Following is the case brief for Calder v. Bull, 3 U.S. 386 (1798) Case Summary of Calder v. Bull: A probate court denied the Bulls inheritance, allowing Calder to inherit instead. The Connecticut legislature then passed a resolution, allowing for a new probate trial and right of appeal. Calder argued that the resolution violated the Constitution’s prohibition on ex post […]
Read moreThe term “hypothecation” describes the transaction a person makes when he puts up an asset as collateral but still owns that asset. A common example of this is a mortgage. While a person still owns his house, he uses the house as collateral in order to secure the bank’s approval to take out a mortgage. To explore this concept, consider […]
Read moreIn the legal word, the term “misrepresentation” refers to a statement someone makes an untrue statement in order to encourage someone else to sign a contract. For example, misrepresentation occurs when a person signs a contract, then suffers damages as the result of taking the other person’s advice. In this case, the wronged party can then sue for misrepresentation, and […]
Read moreFollowing is the case brief for Trustees of Dartmouth College v. Woodward, 17 U.S. 518 (1819) Case Summary of Trustees of Dartmouth v. Woodward: Dartmouth College received its charter from the British Crown before the American Revolution. After the Revolution, the State of New Hampshire altered the charter to take control over the college. The Trustees sued to maintain private […]
Read moreThe term “inure,” as far as the legal field is concerned, describes the point at which a new law or agreement goes into effect. The term “inure” can also refer to the act of becoming used to something unpleasant, such as an abusive environment. For example, inure, as it applies to children, refers to those whose parents regularly engage in […]
Read moreFollowing is the case brief for Fletcher v. Peck, 10 U.S. (6 Cranch) 87 (1810) Case Summary of Fletcher v. Peck: The Georgia state legislature conveyed land to four companies in 1795. A year later, a newly elected legislature declared that the land conveyance was invalid. Peck, who acquired part of the conveyed land before the conveyance was declared invalid, […]
Read moreThe term “counter offer” is used to describe a situation wherein an offer is made to someone, and they make an alternative offer in return. That alternative offer is the counter offer. When a counter offer is made, the prior offer is accepted as rejected, and it is understood that the contract won’t be accepted unless the counter is accepted. […]
Read moreA contract is an agreement that creates mutual obligations between two or more parties. An indispensable part of nearly every business or personal transaction, well-written contracts are beneficial to all involved parties and can establish long-lasting relationships. Sometimes complex in nature, they must be crafted correctly and contain certain elements in order to be enforceable. A contract lawyer is an […]
Read moreThe term “addendum” is used to describe anything that is added to a document. In terms of the law, an addendum can be additional terms added to a contract that were left out when the contract was initially drafted. Addendums can also be used to correct a mistake, or to add terms to something, as in a lease. To explore […]
Read moreThe term “rescind” is used to describe the act of canceling a contract that had been previously agreed to. In contract law, this is referred to more fully as “rescission.” The purpose of a rescission is to start over with a clean slate, to allow the parties to return to the status quo that existed before the agreement was made. […]
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