A property interest created by agreement or by operation of law to secure performance of an obligation (esp. repayment of a debt). • Although the UCC limits the creation of a security interest to personal property, the Bankruptcy Code defines the term to mean “a lien created by an agreement.” 11 USCA § 101(51). [Cases: […]
mineral, n. 1. Any natural inorganic matter that has a definite chemical composition and specific physical properties that give it value (most minerals are crystalline solids). [Cases: Mines and Minerals 48. C.J.S. Mines and Minerals §§ 4, 140–142.] 2. A subsurface material that is explored for, mined, and exploited for its useful properties and commercial
retroactive, adj. (Of a statute, ruling, etc.) extending in scope or effect to matters that have occurred in the past. — Also termed retrospective. Cf. PROSPECTIVE(1). [Cases: Administrative Law and Procedure 419; Courts 100(1); Statutes 261–278. C.J.S. Courts §§ 147–148; Public Administrative Law and Procedure §§ 89, 98; Statutes §§ 407–431.] — retroactivity, n. “
Act of Supremacy. Hist. A statute that named the English sovereign as supreme head of the Church of England (26 Hen. 8, ch. 1). • The Act was passed in 1534 during Henry VIII’s reign and confirmed in 1559 (1 Eliz., ch. 1) to counteract pro-Catholic legislation enacted during the reign of Mary Tudor. In
residence. 1. The act or fact of living in a given place for some time (a year’s residence in New Jersey). 2. The place where one actually lives, as distinguished from a domicile (she made her residence in Oregon). • Residence usu. just means bodily presence as an inhabitant in a given place; domicile usu.
Criminal procedure. In a juvenile-court case, a hearing to determine whether the case should be transferred to adult criminal court where the juvenile will be tried as an adult. • Every state, as well as the District of Columbia, has a transfer statute. The United States Supreme Court defined the due-process requirements for transfer hearings
solidary (sol-[schwa]-der-ee), adj. (Of a liability or obligation) joint and several. See JOINT AND SEVERAL. [Cases: Action 14. C.J.S. Actions § 64.] “It is a single debt of £100 owing by each of them, in such fashion that each of them may be compelled to pay the whole of it, but that when it is
child-abuse and -neglect reporting statute. Family law. A state law requiring certain persons, among them healthcare providers, teachers, and child-care workers, to report suspected child abuse. • By 1967, every state had adopted some form of reporting statute. In the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (42 USCA §§ 5101–5157), Congress provided federal funding for
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procedural law. The rules that prescribe the steps for having a right or duty judicially enforced, as opposed to the law that defines the specific rights or duties themselves. — Also termed adjective law. Cf. SUBSTANTIVE LAW. [Cases: Statutes 242, 267. C.J.S. Statutes § 421.]
criminal behavior. Conduct that causes social harm and is defined and punished by law.