chose (shohz), n. [French] A thing, whether tangible or intangible; a personal article; a chattel. See THING. chose in action. 1. A proprietary right in personam, such as a debt owed by another person, a share in a joint-stock company, or a claim for damages in tort. [Cases: Property 5. 5. C.J.S. Property § 22; […]
Jamaican switch. An illegal scheme whereby one conspirator convinces the victim of a need for help in handling a large sum of money, usu. by claiming to have found the money or by claiming to be an unsophisticated foreigner, and promises to share part of the money with the victim or asks the victim for
exchange, n. Commercial law. 1. The act of transferring interests, each in consideration for the other. [Cases: Exchange of Property 1. C.J.S. Exchange of Property §§ 2–3.] bargained-for exchange. See BARGAINED-FOR EXCHANGE. like-kind exchange. See LIKE-KIND EXCHANGE. tax-free exchange. See TAX-FREE EXCHANGE. 1031 exchange. See 1031 EXCHANGE. 2. Money or negotiable instruments presented as payment;
pecuniary (pi-kyoo-nee-er-ee), adj. Of or relating to money; monetary (a pecuniary interest in the lawsuit).
ambidexter. 1. A judge or embracer who takes bribes from both sides in a dispute. 2. A lawyer who abandons the party that he or she initially represented in a dispute to represent the opposing party in the same suit. 3. A person who engages in double-dealing. “Ambidexter is he that, when a matter is
A court, presided over by a justice of the peace, that has jurisdiction to hear minor criminal cases, matters involving small amounts of money, or certain specified claims (such as forcible-entry-and-detainer suits). — Also termed justice-of-the-peace court; J.P. court. [Cases: Justices of the Peace 31. C.J.S. Justices of the Peace § 26, 47.]
contingent fee. A fee charged for a lawyer’s services only if the lawsuit is successful or is favorably settled out of court. • Contingent fees are usu. calculated as a percentage of the client’s net recovery (such as 25% of the recovery if the case is settled, and 33% if the case is won at
AID.abbr. 1. See artificial insemination by donor under ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION . 2. UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT. aid, n. Hist. 1. A subsidy or tax granted to the king for an extraordinary purpose. — Also termed grant-in-aid. 2. A benevolence or tribute (i.e., a sum of money) granted by the tenant to his lord
quominus (kwoh-m[schwa]-n[schwa]s or kwoh-mI-n[schwa]s). [Latin quo minus “by which the less”] Hist. A 14th-century Exchequer writ alleging that the plaintiff had lent the defendant a sum of money and that the plaintiff was unable to repay a debt of similar amount to the Crown because of the debt to the defendant. • In effect, the
maintenance, n. 1. The continuation of something, such as a lawsuit. 2. The continuing possession of something, such as property. 3. The assertion of a position or opinion; the act of upholding a position in argument. 4. The care and work put into property to keep it operating and productive; general repair and upkeep. 5.