illegality, n. 1. An act that is not authorized by law. 2. The state of not being legally authorized. “A contract made ultra vires is void; but not [strictly speaking] on the ground of illegality. Lord Cairns … takes exception to the use of the term ‘illegality,’ pointing out that it is not the object […]
reapportionment, n. Realignment of a legislative district’s boundaries to reflect changes in population. • The U.S. Supreme Court has required federal reapportionment. See U.S. Const. art. I, § 2, cl. 3. — Also termed redistricting. Cf. GERRYMANDERING. [Cases: Elections 12(6); States 27. C.J.S. States §§ 62–78.] — reapportion, vb.
Hist. 1. An offense not subject to criminal prosecution (such as contempt or violation of a municipal ordinance) but for which penalties or forfeitures can be imposed. • The term includes offenses that give rise to qui tam actions and forfeitures for the violation of a public duty. 2. An offense for which someone other
statement of facts. A party’s written presentation of the facts leading up to or surrounding a legal dispute, usu. recited toward the beginning of a brief. “The statement of facts is another of those critical parts of the brief …. Two principles are at war in drafting the statement of facts. First, judges want and
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International conflict of laws. • Legal scholars frequently lament the name “private international law” because it misleadingly suggests a body of law somehow parallel to public international law, when in fact it is merely a part of each legal system’s private law. — Also termed international private law; jus gentium privatum; intermunicipal law; comity; extraterritorial
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A corporation licensed or authorized to do business within a particular state. — Also termed qualified corporation; corporation qualified to do business.
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A type of alternative dispute resolution whereby the parties hire a private individual to hear and decide a case. • This process may occur as a matter of contract between the parties or in connection with a statute authorizing such a process. — Also termed rent-a-judging.
denarius Dei (di-nair-ee-[schwa]s dee-I), n. [Law Latin “God’s penny”] Hist. Earnest money exchanged by contracting parties, so called because the money was originally given either to the church or to the poor. • The denarius Dei was not part of the consideration. — Also termed argentum Dei. See ARRA.
description. 1. A delineation or explanation of something by an account setting forth the subject’s characteristics or qualities (description of a patentable process). 2. A representation by words or drawing of something seen or heard or otherwise experienced (description of the criminal) (description of the accident). 3. An enumeration or specific identification of something (
breaking-bulk doctrine. Hist. The rule that a bailee who had lawful possession of property delivered in bulk and wrongfully took the property committed larceny only if the bailee broke the container open and took part or all of the contents. • If the bailee wrongfully took the property without opening the container, the act was
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