communication. 1. The expression or exchange of information by speech, writing, gestures, or conduct; the process of bringing an idea to another’s perception. 2. The information so expressed or exchanged. conditionally privileged communication. A defamatory statement made in good faith by a person with an interest in a subject to someone who also has an […]
chancer (chan-s[schwa]r), vb. To adjust according to equitable principles, as a court of chancery would. • The practice arose in parts of New England when the courts had no equity jurisdiction, and were compelled to act on equitable principles. “The practice of ‘chancering’ is a very old one. A forfeiture could be ‘chancered’ under a
A restriction that causes an estate to automatically end and revest in a third party upon the happening of a specified event. • This type of limitation, which was not recognized at common law, can be created only as a shifting use or an executory devise. It is a condition subsequent in favor of someone
executory limitation Read More »
An absolute gift, being neither conditional nor contingent, though its use or enjoyment might not occur until sometime in the future.
A ripened decree nisi; a court’s decree that has become unconditional because the time specified in the decree nisi has passed. — Also termed order absolute; rule absolute.
appointment, n. 1. The designation of a person, such as a nonelected public official, for a job or duty; esp., the naming of someone to a nonelected public office (Article II of the U.S. Constitution grants the President the power of appointment for principal federal officials, subject to senatorial consent). [Cases: Officers and Public Employees
statuliber (stach-[schwa]-lI-b[schwa]r), n. [Latin] Roman law. A person whose freedom under a will is made conditional or postponed; a person who will be free at a particular time or when certain conditions are met. — Also written statu liber (stay-t[y]oo lI-b[schwa]r). “The statuliber is one who has freedom arranged to take effect on completion of
defeasance (di-feez-[schwa]nts), n. 1. An annulment or abrogation; VOIDANCE. 2. The fact or an instance of bringing an estate or status to an end, esp. by conditional limitation. 3. A condition upon the fulfillment of which a deed or other instrument is defeated or made void; a contractual provision containing such a condition. — Also
A legacy given in such a way that the legatee has a fixed, indefeasible right to its payment. • A legacy is said to be vested when the testator’s words making the bequest convey a transmissible interest, whether present or future, to the legatee. Thus, a legacy to be paid when the legatee reaches the
contraband (kon-tr[schwa]-band), n. 1. Illegal or prohibited trade; smuggling. 2. Goods that are unlawful to import, export, or possess. — contraband, adj. absolute contraband. Goods used primarily for war, such as arms and ammunition, as well as clothing and equipment of a military character. conditional contraband. Goods susceptible of being used for warlike and peaceful