As a standalone tool, this pocket edition includes a dictionary guide and the complete U.S. Black’s is cited by judges and lawyers more than any other legal dictionary, comes recommended by law faculty, and is available in this pocket format and in a variety of other useful editions. This free online legal dictionary and glossary of law terms contains definitions of legal terminology and law terms commonly used by lawyers and legal documents. The Bankruptcy Code contains certain provisions designed to reduce the time a small business debtor is in bankruptcy.

This bestselling dictionary is an authoritative and comprehensive source of jargon-free legal information. Its entries clearly define the major terms, concepts, processes, and organization of the English legal system. Warrant Court authorization, most often for law enforcement officers, to conduct a search or make an arrest. Typing service A business not authorized to practice law that prepares bankruptcy petitions.

Often means outside the presence of a jury and the public. Home confinement A special condition the court imposes that requires an individual to remain at home except for certain approved activities such as work and medical appointments.

A rule of conduct or procedure established by custom, agreement, or authority. The principles applied in the courts of common law, as distinguished from equity. As to Shannon’s argument that she stepped into her ex’s shoes, the court said that she wasn’t the one who was injured.

About Federal Courts

Priority claim An unsecured claim that is entitled to be paid ahead of other unsecured claims that are not entitled to priority status. Priority refers to the order in which these unsecured claims are to be paid. Postpetition transfer A transfer of the debtor’s property made after the commencement of the case. Plea In a criminal case, the defendant’s statement pleading “guilty” or “not guilty” in answer to the charges. Plaintiff A person or business that files a formal complaint with the court. Per curiam Latin, meaning “for the court.” In appellate courts, often refers to an unsigned opinion.

Assets Property of all kinds, including real and personal, tangible and intangible. Arraignment A proceeding in which a criminal defendant is brought into court, told of the charges in an indictment or information, and asked to plead guilty or not guilty. Appellee The party who opposes an appellant’s appeal, and who seeks to persuade the appeals court to affirm the district court’s decision. Appellant The party who appeals a district court’s decision, usually seeking reversal of that decision. Affirmed In the practice of the court of appeals, it means that the court of appeals has concluded that the lower court decision is correct and will stand as rendered by the lower court.

Plain Language Law Dictionary

A state or condition of individuals or society characterized by an absence or breakdown of social and legal norms and values, as in the case of an uprooted people. A statement that describes what will happen in all cases under a specified set of conditions. Laws describe an invariable relationship among phenomena. Boyle’s law, for instance, describes what will happen to the volume of a gas if its pressure changes and its temperature remains the same. Unless there is a court decision that changes our law, we are OK. In Wisconsin, the Green Party effort to get on the ballot was boosted by help from some Republicans and a prominent law firm that does work for the GOP. For the definition of a legal term, enter a word or phrase below.

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Home confinement may include the use of electronic monitoring equipment – a transmitter attached to the wrist or the ankle – to help ensure that the person stays at home as required. Fraudulent transfer A transfer of a debtor’s property made with intent to defraud or for which the debtor receives less than the transferred property’s value. Federal question jurisdiction Jurisdiction given to federal courts in cases involving the interpretation and application of the U.S. Constitution, acts of Congress, and treaties.

Read more about legal commentaries here. No-asset case A Chapter 7 case in which there are no assets available to satisfy any portion of the creditors’ unsecured claims. Motion to lift the automatic stay A request by a creditor to allow the creditor to take action against the debtor or the debtor’s property that would otherwise be prohibited by the automatic stay. Liquidation The sale of a debtor’s property with the proceeds to be used for the benefit of creditors. Jury instructions A judge’s directions to the jury before it begins deliberations regarding the factual questions it must answer and the legal rules that it must apply. Judicial Conference of the United States The policy-making entity for the federal court system. A 27-judge body whose presiding officer is the Chief Justice of the United States. Injunction A court order preventing one or more named parties from taking some action.

Many insurance companies offer disability policies, and if you buy one, it is usually out of your own pocket, which means after tax. In that case, the payments you later receive on disability are tax-free. Enjoy this free online law dictionary search engine for definitions of law terminology and glossary of legal terms. Verdict The decision of a trial jury or a judge that determines the guilt or innocence of a criminal defendant, or that determines the final outcome of a civil case. Plan A debtor’s detailed description of how the debtor proposes to pay creditors’ claims over a fixed period of time.