plagiarism. The deliberate and knowing presentation of another person’s original ideas or creative expressions as one’s own. • Generally, plagiarism is immoral but not illegal. If the expression’s creator gives unrestricted permission for its use and the user claims the expression as original, the user commits plagiarism but does not violate copyright laws. If the […]
ruling, n. 1. The outcome of a court’s decision either on some point of law or on the case as a whole. — Also termed legal ruling. Cf. JUDGMENT(1); OPINION(1). [Cases: Courts 88. C.J.S. Courts § 139; Trade-Marks, Trade-Names, and Unfair Competition § 187.] “A distinction is sometimes made between rules and rulings. Whether or
nonrecognition. Int’l law. The refusal of one government to recognize the legitimacy of another government. Cf. RECOGNITION(6).
course of business. The normal routine in managing a trade or business. — Also termed ordinary course of business; regular course of business; ordinary course; regular course. [Cases: Customs and Usages 9. C.J.S. Customs and Usages § 15.]
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Law French. The corrupted form of the Norman French language that arose in England in the centuries after William the Conqueror invaded England in 1066 and that was used for several centuries as the primary language of the English legal system; the Anglo-French used in medieval England in judicial proceedings, pleadings, and lawbooks. — Abbr.
earning capacity. A person’s ability or power to earn money, given the person’s talent, skills, training, and experience. • Earning capacity is one element considered when measuring the damages recoverable in a personal-injury lawsuit. And in family law, earning capacity is considered when awarding child support and spousal maintenance (or alimony) and in dividing property
duplex valor maritagii (d[y]oo-pleks val-[schwa]r mar-[schwa]-tay-jee-I), n. [Law Latin “double the value of a marriage”] Hist. A ward’s forfeiture of double the value of a marriage made without the guardian’s consent. • In the quotation that follows, Blackstone uses the accusative form (duplicem valorem maritagii) because the phrase follows the verb forfeited. “For, while the
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criminative (krim-[schwa]-nay-tiv), adj. Of, relating to, or involving incrimination or accusation. Cf. IN-FIRMATIVE.
obligee (ob-l[schwa]-jee). 1. One to whom an obligation is owed; a promisee, creditor, or donor beneficiary. 2. Under the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act, any person to whom a duty of support is owed. 3. Archaic. One who is obliged to do something; OBLIGOR(1). “Several dictionaries, such as The Random House College Dictionary (rev. ed.
A custom that operates only indirectly through the medium of agreements, so that it is accepted and adopted in individual instances as conventional law between the parties to those agreements. — Also termed usage. See USAGE.
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