concur (k[schwa]n-k[schwa]r), vb. 1. To agree; to consent. 2. In a judicial opinion, to agree with the judgment in the case (usu. as expressed in the opinion of another judge), or the opinion of another judge, but often for different reasons or through a different line of reasoning. 3. (Of a house in a bicameral […]
blood alcohol content. The concentration of alcohol in one’s bloodstream, expressed as a percentage. • Blood alcohol content is used to determine whether a person is legally intoxicated, esp. under a driving-while-intoxicated law. In many states, a blood alcohol content of .08% is enough to charge a person with an offense. — Abbr. BAC. —
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Latin. The language of the ancient Romans and a primary language of the civil and canon law, and formerly of the common law. — Abbr. L. “The value of the Latin has always consisted in its peculiar expressiveness as a language of law terms, in its superior conciseness which has made it the appropriate language
preamble (pree-am-b[schwa]l), n. 1. An introductory statement in a constitution, statute, or other document explaining the document’s basis and objective; esp., a statutory recital of the inconveniences for which the statute is designed to provide a remedy. • A preamble often consists of a series of clauses introduced by the conjunction whereas. Such a preamble
hodgepodge act. A statute that deals with incongruous subjects. “Hodge-Podge Act…. Such acts, besides being evident proofs of the ignorance of the makers of them, or of their want of good faith, are calculated to create a confusion which is highly prejudicial to the interests of justice…. In many states bills, except general appropriation bills,
Civil law. A testamentary gift that is not expressed as a fraction or proportion and is less than all the estate; any testamentary gift that does not meet the definition of a general legacy or a universal legacy. See La. Civ. Code arts. 1587, 3506(28). — Also termed legacy under a particular title. Cf. general
worthiest of blood, n. Hist. Of or relating to males, because of the preference given them in the laws of descent. See PRIMOGENITURE. “Thus sons shall be admitted before daughters; or, as our male lawgivers have somewhat uncomplaisantly expressed it, the worthiest blood shall be preferred. As if John Stiles hath two sons, Matthew and
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literal, adj. According to expressed language. • Literal performance of a condition requires exact compliance with its terms. [Cases: Contracts 152. C.J.S. Contracts §§ 307, 318–322, 327, 331.]
camera regis (kam-[schwa]-r[schwa] ree-jis). [Latin “chambers of the king”] Hist. A locale that the king takes a particular interest in, usu. expressed as a royal privilege benefiting a city.
Palsgraf rule (pawlz-graf).Torts. The principle that negligent conduct resulting in injury will lead to liability only if the actor could have reasonably foreseen that the conduct would cause the injury. • In Palsgraf v. Long Island R.R., 162 N.E. 99 (N.Y. 1928), two railroad attendants negligently dislodged a package of fireworks from a man they