Defamation. The privilege protecting (1) any statement made in a legislature by one of its members, and (2) any paper published as part of legislative business. — Also termed (in a parliamentary system) parliamentary privilege. [Cases: Libel and Slander 37. C.J.S. Libel and Slander; Injurious Falsehood § 76.]
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session laws. 1. A body of statutes enacted by a legislature during a particular annual or biennial session. 2. The softbound booklets containing these statutes. — Also termed acts of assembly; blue books; sheet acts.
Int’l law. A territory that is governed by another country. • These types of territories are rarely allowed representation in the governing country’s legislature.
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senate. 1. The upper chamber of a bicameral legislature. [Cases: States 26. C.J.S. States § 40.] 2. (cap.) The upper house of the U.S. Congress, composed of 100 members — two from each state — who are elected to six-year terms. — Abbr. S. [Cases: United States 7. 1. C.J.S. United States § 16.]
equally divided. 1. (Of property) apportioned per capita — not per stirpes — among heirs on the testator’s death. • A provision in a will calling for property to be divided “share and share alike” has the same effect. [Cases: Wills 530. C.J.S. Wills §§ 1015–1016.] 2. (Of a court, legislature, or other group) having
civil procedure. 1. The body of law — usu. rules enacted by the legislature or courts — governing the methods and practices used in civil litigation. • An example is the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. 2. A particular method or practice used in carrying on civil litigation.
interpellate (in-t[schwa]r-pel-ayt), vb. 1. (Of a judge) to interrupt, with a question, a lawyer’s argument. 2. (Of a legislator) to interrupt a legislature’s calendar by bringing into question a ministerial policy, esp. in the legislature of France, Italy, or Germany. — Also termed (in Scots law) interpel (in-t[schwa]r-pel). — interpellation, n.
A veto that the legislature has superseded by again passing the vetoed act, usu. by a supermajority of legislators. • In the federal government, a bill vetoed by the President must receive a two-thirds majority in Congress to override the veto and enact the measure into law. [Cases: Statutes 35. C.J.S. Statutes § 54.]
contemnor (k[schwa]n-tem-[schwa]r or -n[schwa]r or -nor). A person who is guilty of contempt before an instrumentality of government, such as a court or legislature. — Also spelled contemner.
insist, vb. (Of a house in a bicameral legislature) to reaffirm (an amendment) that the other house has considered but in which it has not concurred, or to reaffirm nonconcurrence in an amendment from which the other house has not receded. • An insistence often results in a request for a conference. See CONCUR(3); CONFERENCE(2);