resolution. 1. Parliamentary law. A main motion that formally expresses the sense, will, or action of a deliberative assembly (esp. a legislative body). • A resolution is a highly formal kind of main motion, often containing a preamble, and one or more resolving clauses in the form, “Resolved, That….” concurrent resolution. A resolution passed by […]
decreta (di-kree-t[schwa]), n. [Latin “decisions”] Roman law. Judgments of magistrates; esp., sentences pronounced by the emperor as the supreme judge. See DECRETUM. “Decreta. In Roman law decisions of magistrates given after investigation of a case by cognitio… and in particular, decisions of the emperor as judge of first instance after trial by cognitio, or as
initium possessionis (i-nish-ee-[schwa]m p[schwa]-zes[h]-ee-oh-nis). [Latin “the beginning of the possession”] Hist. The right by which possession was first held.
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Philadelphia lawyer. A shrewd and learned lawyer. • This term can have positive or negative connotations today, but when it first appeared (in colonial times), it carried only a positive sense deriving from Philadelphia’s position as America’s center of learning and culture.
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leading case. 1. A judicial decision that first definitively settled an important legal rule or principle and that has since been often and consistently followed. • An example is Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436, 86 S.Ct. 1602 (1966) (creating the exclusionary rule for evidence improperly obtained from a suspect being interrogated while in police
alias (ay-lee-[schwa]s), adj. Issued after the first instrument has not been effective or resulted in action. alias, adv. 1. Otherwise called or named; also known as (William Grimsby, alias the Grim Reaper). 2. At another time. alias, n. 1. An assumed or additional name that a person has used or is known by. — Also
An annuity paid for with a single premium and that begins to pay benefits within the first payment interval. Cf. deferred annuity.
An IRS audit of a taxpayer’s return conducted by mail or telephone. [Cases: Internal Revenue 4443. C.J.S. Internal Revenue §§ 616, 618.]
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introductory clause. The first paragraph of a contract, which typically begins with words such as “This Agreement is made on [date] between [parties’ names].” — Also termed commencement; exordium.
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Trademarks. The quality of having a shape, configuration, design, or color that is so superior to available alternatives that giving the first user exclusive trademark rights would hinder competition. [Cases: Trade Regulation 43. C.J.S. Trade-Marks, Trade-Names, and Unfair Competition §§ 49–50.]