civil union. Family law. A marriage-like relationship, often between members of the same sex, recognized by civil authorities within a jurisdiction. • Vermont was the first state to recognize civil unions. In December 1999, the Vermont Supreme Court ruled that denying gay couples the benefits of marriage amounted to unconstitutional discrimination. Baker v. State, 744 […]
petition, n. 1. A formal written request presented to a court or other official body. certiorari petition. A petition seeking discretionary review from an appellate court. See CERTIORARI. debtor’s petition. See voluntary petition. involuntary petition. A petition filed in a bankruptcy court by a creditor seeking to declare a debtor bankrupt. • This type of
The ceremonial freeing of a slave whereby a third party, in the presence of the praetor, placed a rod (vindicta) on the slave while claiming that the slave was a freedman, whereupon the master admitted the slave’s freedom and the praetor then declared the slave to be free. • This ceremony was actually a fictitious
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prisoner of war. A person, usu. a soldier, who is captured by or surrenders to the enemy in wartime. — Also termed captive. — Abbr. POW.
dispute, n. A conflict or controversy, esp. one that has given rise to a particular lawsuit. — dispute, vb. major dispute. Labor law. Under the Railway Labor Act, a disagreement about basic working conditions, often resulting in a new collective-bargaining agreement or a change in the existing agreement. • Under the Act, two classes of
religion. A system of faith and worship usu. involving belief in a supreme being and usu. containing a moral or ethical code; esp., such a system recognized and practiced by a particular church, sect, or denomination. • In construing the protections under the Establishment Clause and the Free Exercise Clause, courts have interpreted the term
insurance company. A corporation or association that issues insurance policies. [Cases: Insurance 1003. C.J.S. Insurance § 32.] captive insurance company. A company that insures the liabilities of its owner. • The insured is usu. the sole shareholder and the only customer of the company. — Also termed captive insurer. [Cases: Insurance 1192.] mixed insurance company.
nonenablement. Patents. In a patent application’s specification, the quality of not being clear or complete enough to teach a person skilled in the art how to make and use the invention without undue experimentation. — Also termed lack of enablement.
A patent granted for a new, original, and ornamental design for an article of manufacture; a patent that protects a product’s appearance or nonfunctional aspects. • Design patents — which, unlike utility patents, have a term of only 14 years from the date on which the patent is granted — are similar to copyrights. 36
A party’s production of relevant evidence to an opponent at a time earlier than would otherwise be required by rule or standing order of the court. • The accelerated discovery is usu. carried out in compliance with a specific court order or the parties’ agreement. — Also termed accelerated disclosure.
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