DEFINITIONS OF LEGAL TERMS
GLOSSARY
THE ON LINE LEGAL PHRASE BOOK
HELLO! We try and make the tutorials and other materials
as simple and easy to read as possible. Here are definitions
of legal terms-- please let us know if there are more
words that we should define.
Agent- Someone you authorize to do something on your behalf. In
some cases such agency needs to be in writing, in others it can
be verbal.
Common law- In merry Olde England there were two types of Courts-
law and equity. In the law court, the Judge applied statutes. As
time went on, situations that were not covered by statutes were
uncovered, and Judges "created" law, usually in equity. Over
time, the Judge made law was recorded and taught to attorneys as
a part of their training. This is "common law." In all states
except Louisiana, the common law of England was adopted as the
general law of the state, EXCEPT when a statute provides
otherwise. Thus, "common law" is used to fill in gaps. Common law
changes over time, and at this time, each state has its own
common law on many topics.
Compensatory damages- Damages for economic losses. (As opposed
to punitive damages.)
Domicile- The principal place of residence of an individual. This
is determined primarily by intent. A good indication of domicile
is where a person registers to vote.
Felony- A serious crime that upon conviction involves forfeiture
of some civil rights, for example, the right to vote, to hold
office and to hold many types of professional licenses. Usually
involves potential punishment of death or more than one year in
jail.
Financing Statement- A formal notice of a lien being held on
personal property, required under the Uniform Commercial Code in
most cases. Also called a "UCC-1" from its form number.
Hypothecation- An agreement whereby someone puts up collateral
to secure the debt of another. This means that someone may agree
that a piece of real estate will be collateral for a debt. If
the debt isn't paid the creditor may have the property seized
to satisfy the debt- although the PERSON hypothecating the
property is not personally liable if the collateral doesn't
pay off the debt. Thus the property is liable for the debt,
not the person guaranteeing the debt.
Indemnity- A legal agreement which provides that a person will
assume liability out of a transaction. For example, someone may
agree to turn a business over to another person for a reduced
price if they pay the debts and other obligations of the business.
In a broad sense, insurance policies are indemnity contracts.
Injunction- A court order requiring someone to do something, as
opposed to a money judgment. For example, in divorces there are
frequently mutual restraining orders (a form of injunction)
requiring both parties to leave another alone.
Judgment- An order from a court which establishes that a person
is liable to another for a sum of money, or is not liable. Can
also include an "injunction"- a specific order to do or not to do
something.
Liquidated (Liquidated claim)- This term is used in statutes
regarding who is entitled to be a witness to a Living Will. A
"liquidated" claim is a right or a demand (even if disputed) to
payment in a sum certain. An example of a liquidated claim is a
promissory note for $10,000.00. One can examine the claim and
determine its value by simple calculation. Ordinarily, one
holding a liquidated claim against the declarant cannot be a
witness to a living will.
Misdemeanor- A minor crime (as opposed to a felony).
Negligent- (Negligence)- A departure from what an ordinary
reasonable member of the community would do in the same
community.
Negotiable- An instrument is negotiable when the rules of law
allow it to be traded between parties and good faith holders
(Holders in Due Course) receive the instrument free of most
defenses. A promissory note, properly drafted, is a negotiable
instrument.
Non-economic damages- Damages for pain, suffering, loss of
companionship, consortium (love of spouse). These are as
opposed to economic losses, such as loss of wages, property,
medical bills, and damage to property. Occasionally, laws
limit the amount of "non-economic" damages which can be
recovered for torts.
Non-recourse assignment- When a promissory note is assigned, the
person assigning the note is effectively endorsing the note and
guaranteeing the note. However, a "non-recourse" assignment
simply sells the note with no other agreements.
Perfect ("Perfect a lien")- If Joe agrees to give you a lien
on his lawn mower, then you have a deal. Given that you are
a wise person, you obviously have a written agreement. This
written agreement is valid between the two of you. What happens
if Joe fails to pay his taxes and the I.R.S. files a lien?
Unless you are PERFECTED the I.R.S. will get the lawn mower.
They don't legally know about the lien unless you are
perfected. Second example- you get a mortgage on a piece of
property. Good for you. But someone else's lien goes first
unless you are perfected- by recording the mortgage. Be sure
to perfect any lien you get.
Power of attorney (Durable power of attorney)- A power of
attorney is a legal document which gives someone authority
to act on your behalf. (Unless it involves appearing
in a court, even though it is called a power of attorney it does
NOT have to be made in favor of a licensed attorney.) Some living
will statutes provide that you can designate someone to make
decisions about your health treatment for you, should you be
unable to do so. These statutes offer this option. To find out
if a state in question's living will laws allows you to do so,
please see the individual state summaries.
A "durable" power of attorney is a special kind of power of
attorney. It usually must appoint a family member or relative
and often is limited in the kinds of powers that can be
assigned. Unlike ordinary powers of attorney, durable powers
can survive for long periods of time, and again, unlike standard
powers of attorney, durable powers can continue after
incompetency. Most standard powers of attorney are
automatically revoked should you become incompetent.
Principal- A person who designates another to act as their
attorney in fact. The person giving a power of attorney.
Punitive damages- Damages recoverable beyond all losses. Such
damages are in the nature of a criminal fine. Many states
limit punitive damages in certain classes of cases.
Respondeat Superior- Latin for the "boss has to answer for what
his employees do."
Risk of loss- In a sales transaction the law of many states
considers the buyer to be the owner of the land once the sales
contract is signed, and the "owner" just to be "babysitting" (to
put it in legal words-- "holds legal title as security for the
payment of the purchase price") the land. Therefore, in some
states, the "risk of loss" in case of a fire or other destruction
of the property is passed to the buyer, even though they have not
paid for the property. Therefore, real estate contracts and
contracts for sales of businesses should specifically address the
risk of loss.
Subrogate- If one person performs a duty of another, they are
then "equitable subrogated" to the rights of the person owed the
duty. The most common form of subrogation is when an insurance
company pays a claim caused by the negligence of another.
Tort- A negligent or intentional wrong not arising out of
a contract or statute. These include "intentional torts"
such as battery or defamation, and torts for negligence.
Tying arrangement- An agreement (against governmental
regulations) requiring that a as a precondition of purchasing or
obtaining services, that other services must be purchased and
must be purchased through the seller. Not all tying arrangements
are unlawful. However, in most instances banks and other lending
institutions may not required that borrowers purchase credit
life insurance or disability insurance as a precondition
of a loan.
Unliquidated (Unliquidated claim)- See liquidated claim. A
claim is unliquidated when the amount of it cannot be
mathematically calculated, or if it subject to a contingency.
Usury- The civil or criminal wrong of charging interest that is
beyond the legal limit.
