commonwealth. 1. A nation, state, or other political unit (the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania). [Cases: States 1. C.J.S. States §§ 2, 16.] 2. A political unit that has local autonomy but is voluntarily united with the United States (Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands are commonwealths). Cf. DEPENDENCY(1); INSULAR AREA; TERRITORY(2). 3. A loose association […]
Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law. A model statute patterned on the Federal Trade Commission Act and proposed by the FTC in 1967 for adoption by the states; a state law providing consumer-protection remedies, including private causes of action, for deceptive trade practices and false advertising. • The Act gives the state attorney general
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English law. A commissioner who is appointed by the Lord Chancellor and em-powered to proceed in corporate-bankruptcy cases.
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arrogation (ar-[schwa]-gay-sh[schwa]n), n. 1. The act of claiming or taking something without the right to do so (some commentators argue that limited military actions unilaterally ordered by the President are an arrogation of Congress’s power to declare war). 2. Roman & civil law. The adoption of an adult; specif., the adoption of a person sui
navigable water. 1. At early common law, any body of water affected by the ebb and flow of the tide. • This test was first adopted in England because most of England’s in-fact navigable waters are influenced by the tide, unlike the large inland rivers that are capable of supporting commerce in the United States.
continuing-jurisdiction doctrine. 1. The rule that a court retains power to enter and enforce a judgment over a party even though that party is no longer subject to a new action. [Cases: Courts 30. C.J.S. Courts §§ 71–73.] 2. Family law. The rule that once a court has acquired jurisdiction over a child-custody or support
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chase. Hist. A franchise granted by the Crown empowering the grantee to keep, within a certain district, animals for hunting, i.e., the objects of the chase. • This franchise was also known as a free chase to contrast it with a chase royal — a chase held by the Crown. common chase. A chase in
fuero (foo-wer-oh).Spanish law. 1. A forum; court. 2. The territory in which a court has the power to act. 3. A privilege enjoyed by some but not others. 4. A custom having the force of law. 5. Hist. A collection of local, usu. customary, laws. Fuero Juzgo (hooz-goh). Hist. A 7th-century Visigothic code that was
Indian tribe. A group, band, nation, or other organized group of indigenous American people, including any Alaskan native village, that is recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided by the U.S. government because of Indian status (42 USCA § 9601(36)); esp., any such group having a federally recognized governing body that carries