An Abstract of Title is a condensed history of the legal ownership of a piece of land, including all conveyances, transfers, grants, wills, judicial proceedings, encumbrances, and liens, as well as evidence of satisfaction and other facts affecting the title.
An allegation refers to an assertion of fact made in a pleading, typically within the context of legal proceedings. It is a formal statement of an issue that the party raising it expects to prove.
The automatic stay is a provision in U.S. bankruptcy law that halts all collection activities, including litigation, repossessions, and foreclosures, immediately upon filing a bankruptcy petition.
A class action is a legal proceeding in which a person sues on behalf of a group of people who collectively share a common claim.
Collusion involves seeking to prejudice a third party or achieve an improper purpose, often by secret agreement, that is typically punishable as conspiracy.
A complaint is the initial pleading by the plaintiff in a civil action that sets out the facts and the basis of the claim. It serves to give notice to the adversary of the nature and basis of the plaintiff's assertions. In criminal law, a complaint is the preliminary charge made by one person against another, though formal proceedings cannot commence without an indictment or information.
A counterclaim is a counter demand made by a defendant against the plaintiff. It is not merely an answer or denial of the plaintiff's allegations; rather, it asserts an independent cause of action in favor of the defendant.
A court bond, also known as a judicial bond, is a form of surety bond that ensures compliance with a court's orders and protects against potential financial losses from legal proceedings.
A court that is required by law to maintain a record of its proceedings, including orders and judgments, and has the authority to imprison and levy fines.
A debtor is an individual or entity that owes money to another party, typically referred to as a creditor. In bankruptcy or similar legal proceedings, a debtor is the subject on whom the actions are primarily focused.
A judicial ruling in favor of the plaintiff when the defendant fails to respond to the legal action or fails to appear in court.
In the context of legal proceedings, the defendant's principal pleading is a formal written response to the plaintiff's complaint, containing denials of the allegations, affirmative defenses, and any potential counterclaims.
A defunct company is a business entity that has been wound up and has therefore ceased to exist. This could occur due to insolvency, voluntary dissolution by its owners, or other legal reasons.
Documentary evidence refers to any evidence introduced at a trial in the form of documents. This includes written or printed papers, such as contracts, wills, deeds, and letters. It plays a pivotal role in the legal proceedings, supporting the factual assertions made by the parties involved.
An expert witness is an individual possessing specialized knowledge, skills, or expertise in a particular field who is called upon to testify in a court of law. Their testimony typically pertains to facts relevant to the case rather than legal interpretations.
Forensic accounting involves using accounting, auditing, and investigative skills to conduct an examination of a company's financial statements for use in legal proceedings or to uncover fraud.
A garnishee is a person, often an employer, who receives notice to retain custody of assets in his control that are owed to or belong to another person, holding the assets until legal proceedings determine who is entitled to the property.
Garnishment is a legal process by which a creditor seeks to obtain payment from a debtor by taking a portion of the debtor's wages or bank account funds. This is typically done through legal proceedings.
A legal mechanism through which the estate of a deceased debtor is administratively handled in cases of insolvency, often drawing from principles of bankruptcy law.
A jury is a group composed of peers of the parties or a cross-section of the community, summoned and sworn to decide on the facts in issue at a trial.
Refers to the year during which a statute of limitations applies to a specific legal action or claim. It sets the maximum time after an event within which legal proceedings may be initiated.
A material fact is a fact that is significant or essential to the issue at hand. In the context of legal proceedings or transactions, it is a fact that could sway a decision or compel the need for full disclosure.
In legal terms, a 'party' refers to an individual or entity that is involved in a legal contract, lawsuit, or other legal proceedings.
A pleading is a formal document submitted to a court, outlining the facts and legal grounds that constitute a plaintiff's cause of action or a defendant's grounds of defense. This document delineates the dispute and serves as the foundation for the legal proceedings.
The statute of limitations is a law that sets the maximum time within which parties involved in a legal dispute must initiate legal proceedings from the date of an alleged offense or claim.
The statute of limitations is a law that sets the maximum time frame within which legal proceedings must be initiated after an alleged offense. After this period, the claim is no longer valid.
Statutory Foreclosure, also known as non-judicial foreclosure, is a legal process by which a lender can foreclose on a property without court intervention, authorized by state statutes.
A suit is a legal proceeding through which an individual or entity pursues a remedy that could be allowed by a court of law. It represents a formal dispute resolution process where judicial decisions are sought for enforcement of legal rights and obligations.
Summary possession is a legal term referring to an expedited court proceeding used by landlords to regain possession of rental property from tenants, commonly referred to as an eviction.
A winding-up petition is a legal document presented to a court in the UK, seeking an order for a company to be placed into compulsory liquidation, typically due to insolvency.
