to leave a person forever

property no longer in the possession of its owner, who does not plan to collect or use it again

the act of giving up something voluntarily, such as a property right or a proposed course of action, with the intention of not reclaiming it (=asking for it to be returned)

the ending, reduction or lessening of something, especially something harmful or unpleasant

the shortened form of a word or phrase

to take someone away illegally, often by using force

the illegal carrying away by force or enticing away of a person--usually taking a child away from it's parent.

a person who abducts someone

if you abide by an agreement or a law etc then you accept it and act according to it

a job or activity that carries with it a significant risk of harm, even if reasonable care is used (eg the handling of toxic waste, dynamiting etc)

to end a system, practice or institution forever

the act of doing away with, making void or destroying (something)

the action of ending a system, practice or institution forever

to stop an activity before it begins or before it is complete, especially because it would be difficult or dangerous to continue it

the action of deliberately ending a pregnancy before the baby is born

if you are above suspicion then you do nothing to make people think that you have acted wrongfully or improperly

to leave a place, usually hurriedly, with the money or property of another

not at the place where you should be, or where you are expected to be (eg not at work)

to not vote

a formal decision not to vote either for or against something in an election or meeting

the physical, emotional or sexual mistreatment of someone

when a business uses illegal means to take advantage of its market power. In the EU, abuse of a dominant position means any infringement of Article 82 of the EC Treaty.

using offensive or insulting language or behaviour

to become a part of a larger whole

a lender's demand for repayment of all money outstanding on the loan before maturity, usually on the grounds of default

to agree to an offer, plan or suggestion etc

to agree to the terms and conditions of an offer

the action of agreeing to an offer, plan or suggestion etc

a means of entering or approaching a place

to open a computer file, computer program or website etc in order to look at or change information

the act of agreeing to something

something that happens which is not planned, expected or intended, and which often causes damage or injury

happening unexpectedly, by chance, and without intent (=not deliberately)

someone who helps another person to commit a wrongful or illegal act, such as a crime

a formal agreement, especially between countries or political or military groups etc

an agreement to accept an alternative form of payment for a debt, and for that debt to then be discharged (=ended following payment)

in a way that is appropriate (=suitable, right or correct) for the situation; in a way that results from a particular situation

an arrangement with a business or a firm (eg a law firm) to pay for goods and services at a later time, often once a month; the money available under this arrangement

a unique number given by a financial or other institution (especially a bank or credit card company) to a customer

expected to be responsible for your actions and their effects and to be willing to explain them or to be criticised for them

the job of being an accountant (=someone whose job is to prepare financial records for a person, company or other organisation)

the date on which the financial year of a company ends, and to which the accounts are made up

money owed to a company for products and/or services bought on credit

the selling of outstanding invoices at a discount to generate capital for a business

to increase over a period of time

the amount of interest due to a lender which has been earned on the loan but not yet paid

to charge someone with a criminal act or allege that they have committed wrongdoing

the accused is a term used to describe someone charged with a crime; the defendant in a criminal proceeding

to confirm or accept that something is true or genuine

to accept, agree or consent to something passively or without protest; to imply agreement or consent

the agreement, consent or acceptance of something without protest

to gain possession or ownership of something

the body of all EU law that must be adopted by new Member States

the act of gaining possession of something; the purchase (=buying) of an asset; the purchase of one company by another company

to decide and state formally in court that a person is not guilty of a crime they were accused of

a formal declaration in court that a person is not guilty of a crime they were accused of

something done by a person for a particular purpose

to do something; to take action

extreme weather conditions and natural disasters (eg lightning, flooding and volcanic activity etc) that interrupts the expected course of events

to represent or be employed by someone to deal with a particular matter

(EU Law) the idea that there is no need to refer a point of law, which is reasonably clear and free from doubt, to the European Court of Justice

a French term, often used in EU law, meaning that a legal question is clear, or that the correct application of the law is so obvious, that there can be no doubt about it; where the answer to a legal question can be deduced from case law

(EU LAW) a French term used to describe a situation where either a provision has already been interpreted by the ECJ (European Court of Justice) or the ECJ have already ruled on an identical question

a legal procedure brought against a party

legal proceedings to force a debtor to pay an outstanding debt

if someone's act (=something that they have done) or omission (=something that they have not done but should have) is actionable then there are legal grounds for a lawsuit or other legal action

a trust in which the trustee (called the 'active trustee') must perform active duties, such as collecting rent and transferring proceeds to the beneficiary

real; in fact, as opposed to possible or potential

authority either expressly given to an agent by the principal, or given by the law and not denied by the principal

the value of an item following depreciation (=loss of value over time)

a criminal act; the physical act involved in the commission of a crime or offence

arranged, set up or done for a particular purpose, situation or case, often with little or no planning or preparation

a piece of additional material added at the end of a book, document or a speech

to speak to (someone or something)

to give something as evidence that something is true

sufficient; good enough; enough

if you adhere to an agreement or a law etc then you accept it and act according to it

faithfulness to a particular person, political party, law, contract or idea etc

to close a meeting or proceeding; to suspend or postpone a meeting or legislative session until another time

to make a formal decision about something; to act as judge in a dispute

the action of making a formal judgment or decision about a disputed matter or a problem

a person who makes a formal judgment or decision about a problem or disputed matter

the amount of income left after the expenses of earning that income have been deducted

a person who investigates insurance claims and calculates losses

a court-approved arrangement in which creditors accept lower payments or less money than they are legally due

the collection and distribution of a deceased's (=dead person's) assets

command by a court appointing an administrator to take control of a company

the body of law, including rules, regulations, orders and decisions, created by and related to government and administrative agencies

someone appointed by a court to manage the business and property of a company during administration (=efforts made to avoid a business having to close when it has run into financial difficulties)

admiralty (law) is the body of law that deals with things that happen at sea

(PROCEDURAL LAW) the quality of being allowed to be used as evidence during a legal proceeding; the quality of being acceptable to a law court or a tribunal etc

capable of being considered or allowed to be used by a court as evidence

to agree that a claim or accusation is correct

to accept

the act of accepting something

consensual (=agreed to by both parties) sex between two people that are not married to each other, where at least one of them is married to a third party

to suggest or present an idea, theory, argument or allegation etc

money paid for work before it has been completed; money paid earlier that would normally be expected

loaned, supplied to be repaid later

an adversarial system is one where two sides disagree with, oppose and attack each other, especially in law and politics

opponent; enemy

a lawsuit between disputing parties

against a party's interest; contrary or opposite in position; having a negative effect on something

an interest, claim or right that is against another interest, claim or right, especially one belonging to another person

a way of gaining title to real property from another by retaining possession for a period of time established by law and complying with certain conditions

legal harm done in the course of an advertisement (=something that is intended to persuade people to buy something), often to a competitor

an opinion about what you should do or how you should act in a particular situation

to tell someone what you think they should do in a particular situation; to recommend something; to suggest the best course of action to someone

the act of giving strong public support for something, especially an idea or a way of doing something

to support a certain argument, position, idea or way of doing something

a general term for a lawyer, especially a defence lawyer

a senior law officer of a country or other jurisdiction, whose role is to advise the courts or Government on the law

to have an influence on or cause a change in

a written statement that you swear is true, and which can be used as evidence in court

a company in which another company has a minority interest; a company that is related to another company in some way

to officially say that a judgment, decree, or order etc is valid (=acceptable and will be upheld)

a solemn declaration given in place of an oath (=a promise that that a person will tell the truth (especially in a court of law), especially one that makes reference to God or to a holy book) by a person who objects to taking an oath for reasons of conscience

policies that contribute toward greater employment opportunities for minorities, women, the disabled and other groups affected by discrimination

a legal obligation that requires some effort to satisfy

a court’s remedy ordering a refund of monies already paid by a consumer

to attach something to something else, such as a document or a notice

(formal) give

previously mentioned, mentioned above; the one or ones mentioned previously

(after-acquired evidence doctrine) (US LAW) the rule that if an employer unlawfully dismisses an employee, and then later finds a lawful reason to justify the dismissal, the employee cannot sue for reinstatement

property that a debtor acquires after signing a security agreement that secures the debt with all his or her property, and which becomes collateral for the debt; property that a debtor acquires after a petition for bankruptcy is filed; property that a testator (=a person who dies leaving a will) acquires after the execution of a will

the results of an event considered as a whole, often a negative event such as a war or disaster

the age at which the rights and responsibilities of an adult are granted by law

the legal relationship between two parties by which one party, the agent, is authorised to perform certain acts on behalf of the other party, the principal

the law governing the relationship where one person (the agent) acts and is authorised to act for another (the principal)

a person who is authorised to act for or represent another; a person authorised by another to act on his behalf

made worse or more serious

conditions and facts connected with a crime that make it more serious or worse

the total amount of something

a whole formed by combining several individual parts

total

sum of the original or face value amounts, as opposed to interest or earnings thereon

a negotiated and usually legally binding arrangement between two or more parties; a contract

the body of law relating to the science and practice of farming

the act of helping someone to commit a crime

to warn someone about something that might be dangerous or unpleasant

a claim or evidence that someone was not at the place where a crime is said to have happened and so could not have done the crime

a foreigner living in a country of which they are not a citizen

the ability to be transferred to new ownership

that which is transferable to another

to transfer property or a right to another

the transfer of property, especially real property, to another person

COMMON LAW an action in tort brought by a deserted spouse (=partner in marriage) against a third party alleged to be responsible for the failure of the marriage

money that a court orders a spouse (or ex-spouse) to pay at regular intervals to his or her separated or divorced spouse

a statement that has not (yet) been proven to be true (and which may not be proven to be true in the future) claiming that someone has done something wrong or illegal

to claim or assert that someone has done something illegal or wrong, often without giving proof

(of something that is said to have happened or of a person or thing) said, without proof, to have happened or to have a particular illegal or bad quality

if someone has allegedly done something then someone has claimed that this is true but has not yet proven the allegation (=unproven claim) in court

an agreement between two or more people, groups, or countries to work together to achieve something

to use something for a specific purpose or give something to a specific person etc after an official decision has been made; to designate; to allot

the giving of a share of something, especially for a particular purpose

to give someone or something a share of something that is available, especially for a particular purpose

the amount of something (eg shares) distributed to a particular person, group or organisation

to give someone or something permission, the time or the opportunity to do or to have something

a share or portion of assets that is assigned or granted

if something is allowed by law then it is legal, and will not result in criminal charges or a civil suit

as known or named at another time or place, used when giving someone or something's real name followed by a different name by which they are also known

to change something, usually only slightly; to make something change

a change to something, usually to improve it

existing or functioning outside the established system

a way of resolving disagreements without going to court

if two or more organisations or things amalgamate then they join together and become one

a joining together of two or more organisations so that they become one

an important official who lives in a foreign country and represents his or her own country there

something that is unclear and likely to cause uncertainty or confusion because it has more than one possible meaning or interpretation

if something is ambiguous then it has more than one possible meaning or interpretation, or is unclear and likely to cause uncertainty or confusion

(COLLOQUIAL) a lawyer who specialises in personal injury cases; a lawyer who actively seeks cases (eg at the scene of an accident or in a hospital) that may lead to a large sum of money being paid in damages or as a settlement

to change or add to a law, legal document or decision

a change made by adding to, deleting or otherwise changing the text in a proposal, piece of legislation, constitution, letter or other document

a person or organization who is not party to the litigation at hand, but is allowed to advise the court on a point of law or fact directly concerning the lawsuit

repayment of the loan by equal sums at regular intervals

to reduce he costs of an asset in a set of accounts over a period of time

the writ of amparo is a remedy for the protection of individual or constitutional rights, found in certain jurisdictions including Mexico, Spain, the Philippines and parts of Latin America

to study or examine something in detail to find out more about it or to better explain it

the detailed study or examination of something to find out more about it or to better explain something

a person related to you who was born before you, often more remote than a grandparent

in addition to or connected with something, but less important

an individual, or sometimes a group, who provides seed or early-stage financing from his, her or their own funds to entrepreneurs or early-stage companies, typically in exchange for an equity stake

to add something as an extra part, especially to a document

a separate building added to a main building

to make information known or public

the act of making information known or public

document prepared by management which gives a clear financial picture of the company and sets out goals and strategies for the future of the business

yearly meeting, usually of shareholders

yearly meeting, usually of shareholders

(UK COMPANY LAW) documents that must be filed yearly with the official government register of companies by a limited company, summarising current directorships, shareholders, company's activities and company/capital structure

an annual (=once a year) payment made to a beneficiary, the annuitant, either for life or for a specified period

to stop something from having any legal effect

the act of making something void (=declaring that it has no legal authority and is therefore not valid)

when other people do not know what your name is or who you are

not identified by name or of unknown name

something that you say as a reply to a question that you have been asked or an allegation (=a statement that has not (yet) been proven to be true) that has been made against you

to reply to a question that you have been asked or an allegation (=a statement that has not (yet) been proven to be true) that has been made against you

something that existed or happened before, often with a connection to something happening now

an agreement made before a marriage stating how shared assets will be divided in the case of divorce (=the legal ending of a marriage)

practices which prevent or reduce competition in a market

to think that something will happen

when one party to a contract tells the other side, before the date by which the contract must be performed, that the contract will not be performed .

(especially US) the body of law that regulates business activities and markets, especially agreements and practices that limit competition

a special seal applied by an authority to certify that a document is a true copy of an original. Apostille certification is a form of authentication issued to documents for use in countries that are signatories to the Hague Convention of 1961.

easy to see or understand

authority that a reasonable person would assume that another person has eg an agent acting on behalf of a principal

the action of asking a higher court to review and change the decision of a lower court; a review by a higher court of a decision made by a lower court

to ask a higher court to review and change the decision of a lower court

to be seen in public; to come before the public, especially to perform a duty or to act; (in court) to be there officially because you are involved in a trial

an occasion when someone goes to a court, tribunal or other official meeting, usually to give information and to answer questions etc

party taking an appeal to another court or jurisdiction

concerned with appeals (= applications for decisions to be reversed)

the court to which an appeal (=a review of the decisions of a lower court) is made and which hears the appeal

the act of asking a higher court to review and change the decision of a lower court

generally, the side that won in the trial court, and whose victory is being appealed by the losing side; the opposing party to the appellant

a separate section at the end of a document, report, book or other text that gives more information

the way that something affects or is related to a particular person, group, or situation

relevant to, suitable for or affecting a particular situation, thing person or group of people

a person who formally applies for a job or position etc

an official request or petition for something, usually in writing

to have a connection with or to be relevant to somebody or something; to put something (eg a law) into operation

to choose someone formally for a particular position or job; to give someone a job or a task

an arrangement to meet somebody at a particular time and place

the division or sharing of assets or votes etc between several people

suitable in the circumstances or in relation to something

(US) a fair determination of what a piece of land is worth in the current market

to gain value over a period of time

to catch or arrest someone suspected of a crime

someone who works for an employer for a specific period of time to learn a particular skill or job

a period of time spent working as an apprentice; the job of being an apprentice (=someone who works for an employer for a specific period of time to learn a particular skill or job)

to take something for your own use, usually without permission

official permission (to do something)

an impartial (=not supporting or biased towards either of the disputing parties) person or institution given the power to decide in a dispute

the simultaneous buying and selling of currencies or securities at two different prices in two different markets to profit from price discrepancies (=differences between two things that should be the same)

relating to or resulting from the use of an arbitrator (=a neutral person chosen by the parties to a dispute or by a court to hear the parties' claims and render a decision)

the decision of a panel of one or more people who officially decide how an argument between two disputing parties should be settled. It is the arbitral equivalent of a judgment in a court of law.

based on random choice or subjective personal wishes, rather than any objective policy, reason or system

to officially decide how an argument between two disputing parties should be settled

the reference of a dispute to an impartial (third) person chosen by the parties who agree in advance to abide by the arbitration award issued after the hearing at which both parties have an opportunity to be heard

a panel of one or more people who officially decide how an argument between two disputing parties should be settled

a neutral person either chosen by the parties to an arbitration agreement or by a court or arbitration institute to hear the parties' claims and render a decision

used to describe language that is very old or old-fashioned and that is no longer in common use

to give reasons or evidence in support of an idea, action, theory or legal argument etc, especially to persuade others to agree with you

for the sake of argument

reasons or evidence given in support of an idea, action, theory or legal position etc, especially when said or written to persuade other people that you are right

(of a problem, opportunity, or situation) to emerge; to become apparent

resulting from; because of; due to

describing an action performed independently and in good faith

to make an accused person come to court to hear the indictment (=formal statement of accusation) read to him or her

the first appearance in court by a defendant during which they are formally charged and are asked to enter a plea of guilty, not guilty or no contest

to plan, organise or prepare for something

the action, process, or result of making a plan or an agreement etc

someone who arranges something (=plans, organises or prepares for something)

money owed that has not been paid on time

to take and hold a person in custody (=temporary imprisonment), generally because you believe they are guilty of a crime

a person who is held in custody by police on suspicion of having committed a crime

the crime of deliberately starting a fire to damage or destroy something, especially a building

a numbered section of a law, contract or other legal document

an apprentice in a professional firm in Commonwealth countries, especially in the accounting or legal professions

a document outlining the rules governing a company's internal organisation

a document outlining the rules governing a company's internal organisation

(usually) Articles of Incorporation one of the legal documents that must be prepared when a company is formed. It includes the name and address of the company, the purpose of the company and details on how many shares can be issued.

the process of putting sperm into a female to make her pregnant using methods which do not involve sexual activity

because of; due to

a legal term meaning in its present state or condition, especially as a contractual condition of sale used to disclaim some implied warranties for the item being sold

if you are entitled to something as of right then you are allowed that thing by law and not because of the particular circumstances

consistent with; in accordance with

to find something out for certain; to make sure

to refer to something as the cause of something else

(CRIMINAL, TORT) the use or threat of force upon another person that makes that person think that they will be attacked, hurt or offensively touched

a group of people who are elected to govern, make decisions or make laws for a particular country, area or organisation etc; the building in which this group of people meet

an expression of approval or agreement

to present and demand recognition of (a legal right)

if a right or an objection etc is assertable it may be claimed in court eg as legal argument

when someone says that something is true, especially when said with confidence or force

to calculate a value or a fee

the calculation of a value or a fee

an initial estimation of what the total fees in a case are likely to be; an evaluation of the total fees involved in a case

something valuable that belongs to a business entity, organisation or private individual

legal methods and laws dealing with protecting assets of individuals and business entities from civil money judgments; a plan that protects some, most or all of your assets from liability

the process of buying an unsuccessful company at a low price and then selling everything it owns for profit, without thinking about the company's future

used to describe an investment supported by assets other than real estate

to formally transfer your property, money, contractual rights or other legal rights to another person

someone to whom particular rights and/or duties have been assigned (=given or transferred to)

transfer of rights under an agreement

a person who transfers their rights or duties to another

all treatments or procedures that involve the handling of human eggs and sperm in a laboratory for the purpose of achieving a pregnancy

a lower-level lawyer working for a law firm

an official organisation for people who have the same aims, share the same interests or who do the same kind of work

to start to have control over or responsibility for something

the act of taking control over or responsibility for something

a type of insurance where the money is always paid to the policy holder or beneficiaries, especially when someone dies or after a fixed period of time

to make someone sure of something, especially by telling them something positively or confidently so that they no longer have any doubts

the protection given by a country to someone who has left their own country as a political refugee

being responsible for something that has gone wrong, usually because of something that you have done; having acted wrongfully or improperly

to take property away from someone following a court order

the action of taking temporary possession of someone's assets, especially when they may be needed for the payment of a judgment in a judicial proceeding

a provisional charge upon real or personal property granted by a court order

(US) a person qualified to practice law

a person who is authorized to perform certain acts for another person based on a power of attorney

the right of a lawyer to refuse to divulge (=to make something secret known) confidential information about a client

(TORT) anything on your land that might attract children into danger or harm, such as unfenced swimming pools, trampolines and abandoned refrigerators

the degree to which something can be attributed to someone or something (=saying or believing that something is the result or work of a particular person or thing)

if something is attributable to someone or something then it is caused or explained by that person or thing

if you attribute something to somebody or something then you say or believe that something is the result or work of a particular person or thing

a quality or feature of somebody or something

the action of saying or believing that something is the result or work of a particular person or thing

to sell in a public sale to the highest bidder

the public sale of goods, land, animals or other property to the highest bidder

the sale of a company or business to the highest bidder, where the seller seeks competing bids for the target company

to inspect the accounting procedures and records of a person, business or other organisation to see if they are correct

an inspection of the accounting procedures and records by a trained accountant, or other official

a report by accountants for the buyer on the company's financial statements

someone whose job is to examine, in an official capacity, the financial records of a person, company or other organisation to see whether they are accurate

a report by the auditors of a company

to show or prove that something is true or real

the action of showing or proving that something is true or real

the act of giving someone or an official organisation official permission or approval for something

to give someone or an official organisation official permission or approval for something

with authority or permission

the maximum number of shares that a company is allowed to issue, as specified in its constitutional documents

(ALSO precedent) an important judicial decision or accepted source of information that can be used to help support a case

the result of filing a bankruptcy petition, which stops all legal proceedings in other courts from proceeding against the debtor

if an action is automatically voidable then a court, company or other official organisation can decide that it is not legally or officially acceptable, without the claimant first having to prove that he or she has suffered as a result of the action

if you avail yourself of something you use it to your advantage or benefit

defined length of time in which something can be used

the body of law relating to the flying and operating of aircraft

to deliberately not do something, especially something wrong, dangerous, harmful or unpleasant

(of a court, judge or trier of law) to settle a dispute by ordering that a claimant be given money damages as compensation for a wrong that has been done to them by the defendant

the action of settling a dispute by ordering that a claimant be given money damages as compensation for a wrong that has been done to them by the defendant

(OF A JUDGE OR ARBITER) to order one party in a dispute to compensate another party for a loss or injury

monetary compensation awarded by a court for a loss or injury which has been suffered