upper chamber
In a bicameral legislature, the smaller of the two legislative bodies, such as the Senate or the House of Lords.
Search Results for: LEGISLATURE
enrolled bill rule
The conclusive presumption that a statute, once formalized, appears precisely as the legislature intended, thereby preventing any challenge to the drafting of the bill. [Cases: Statutes 283(2).C.J.S. Statutes §§ 74–75, 77.]
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rigid constitution
A constitution whose terms cannot be altered by ordinary forms of legislation, only by special amending procedures. • The U.S. Constitution is an example. It cannot be changed without the consent of three-fourths of the state legislatures or through a constitutional convention. U.S. Const. art. V.
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public policy
public policy. 1. Broadly, principles and standards regarded by the legislature or by the courts as being of fundamental concern to the state and the whole of society. • Courts sometimes use the term to justify their decisions, as when declaring a contract void because it is “contrary to public policy.” — Also termed policy
articles of confederation
Articles of Confederation. The instrument that governed the association of the 13 original states from March 1, 1781 until the adoption of the U.S. Constitution. • They were prepared by the Continental Congress, submitted to the states in 1777, and later ratified by representatives of the states empowered by their respective legislatures for that purpose.
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house of delegates
house of delegates. 1. (often cap.) The convention of many learned or professional associations, including the American Bar Association (the ABA House of Delegates). — Often shortened to House. — Also termed house of representatives. See CONVENTION(4). [Cases: Attorney and Client 31. C.J.S. Attorney and Client §§ 8–9.] 2. (cap.) The lower chamber of the
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judicial activism
judicial activism, n. A philosophy of judicial decision-making whereby judges allow their personal views about public policy, among other factors, to guide their decisions, usu. with the suggestion that adherents of this philosophy tend to find constitutional violations and are willing to ignore precedent. Cf. JUDICIAL RESTRAINT(3). — judicial activist, n. “[I]f to resolve the
rapporteur
rapporteur (ra-por-tuuror -t[schwa]r), n. [French] An official who makes a report of committee proceedings for a larger body (esp. a legislature).
journal
journal. 1. A book or record kept, usu. daily, as of the proceedings of a legislature or the events of a ship’s voyage. — Also termed log; logbook. See MINUTES(2). 2. Accounting. In double-entry bookkeeping, a book in which original entries are recorded before being transferred to a ledger. 3. A periodical or magazine, esp.
jus dare
jus dare (j[schwa]s dair-ee), vb. [Latin] To give or make the law. • This is the function and prerogative of the legislature. Cf. JUS DICERE.