locality rule. 1. The doctrine that, in a professional-malpractice suit, the standard of care to be applied to the professional’s conduct is the reasonable care exercised by similar professionals in the same vicinity and professional community. [Cases: Health 620.] “With respect to medical doctors (and sometimes dentists and others), the standard of care has been […]
An adoption that occurs independently between the biological mother (and sometimes the biological father) and the adoptive parents without the involvement of an agency. • A private adoption is usu. arranged by an intermediary such as a lawyer, doctor, or counselor. Legal custody — though sometimes not physical custody — remains with the biological parent
wrongful-birth action. A lawsuit brought by parents against a doctor for failing to advise them prospectively about the risks of their having a child with birth defects. [Cases: Health 687.]
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private placement. 1. Family law. The placement of a child for adoption by a parent, lawyer, doctor, or private agency, rather than by a government agency. • At least eight states have prohibited private-placement adoptions. — Also termed direct placement. [Cases: Adoption 6–7. 8. C.J.S. Adoption of Persons §§ 25–40, 51–72.] 2. Securities. See private
LL.B.abbr. Bachelor of Laws. • This was formerly the law degree ordinarily conferred by American law schools. It is still the normal degree in British law schools. Cf. JURIS DOCTOR.
decriminalization, n. The legislative act or process of legalizing an illegal act (many doctors seek the decriminalization of euthanasia). Cf. CRIMINALIZATION(1). [Cases: Criminal Law 15. C.J.S. Criminal Law § 29.] — decriminalize, vb.
physician–client privilege. See doctor–patient privilege under PRIVILEGE(3).
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over-the-counter, adj. 1. Not listed or traded on an organized securities exchange; traded between brokers and dealers who negotiate directly (over-the-counter stocks). [Cases: Securities Regulation 35.13. C.J.S. Securities Regulation § 104.] 2. (Of drugs) sold legally without a doctor’s prescription (over-the-counter cough medicine). — Abbr. OTC. [Cases: Health 303, 305.]
fiducial, adj. Of, relating to, or characterized by confidence in and reliance on another person or thing (there must be a fiducial bond between a patient and a doctor).
Court of Delegates. Hist. Eccles. law. A court serving as the final court of appeal for admiralty and ecclesiastical matters. • The Court was established in 1534 to serve in the stead of the Papal Curia when the English Church severed its ties with the Papacy. Six delegates, appointed to hear only one case, made
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