Acquisition
The purchase of one company by another.
Actus Reus
The physical element of a crime — the guilty act itself.
Affidavit
A written statement confirmed by oath or affirmation, used as evidence in court.
Amicus Curiae
A 'friend of the court' — a person or organization that offers information to assist the court.
Arbitration
A form of alternative dispute resolution where an impartial third party makes a binding decision.
Arbitration Clause
A contract provision requiring disputes to be resolved through arbitration rather than litigation.
Articles of Incorporation
The founding document filed with the state to legally create a corporation.
Assignment
The transfer of rights or obligations under a contract from one party to another.
Bail
Money or property deposited to secure a defendant's release from custody pending trial.
Beyond Reasonable Doubt
The standard of proof required in criminal trials — the highest burden of proof.
Board Resolution
A formal decision made by a company's board of directors.
Breach of Contract
Failure to perform a contractual obligation without a legal excuse.
Cap Table
A spreadsheet showing the equity ownership, dilution, and value of a company's shares.
Civil Law
The body of law dealing with disputes between individuals or organizations, as opposed to criminal law.
Class Action
A lawsuit filed by one or more plaintiffs on behalf of a larger group with similar claims.
Common Law
Law derived from judicial decisions and precedent rather than statutes.
Consideration
Something of value exchanged between parties to a contract, making the agreement legally binding.
Damages
Monetary compensation awarded by a court to a person who has suffered loss or injury.
Deed
A legal document that transfers ownership of real property from one party to another.
Defendant
The party against whom a lawsuit is brought.
Deposition
Sworn, out-of-court testimony of a witness, recorded for use at trial.
Discovery
The pre-trial process where parties exchange relevant information and evidence.
Due Diligence
A comprehensive investigation of a business or person prior to a transaction.
Easement
The right to use another person's land for a specific purpose.
Eminent Domain
The government's power to take private property for public use with just compensation.
Escrow
A financial arrangement where a third party holds funds until transaction conditions are met.
Fiduciary Duty
A legal obligation to act in the best interest of another party.
Force Majeure
An unforeseeable event (war, natural disaster) that prevents a party from fulfilling contractual obligations.
Foreclosure
The legal process by which a lender takes possession of property when mortgage payments are not made.
Habeas Corpus
A legal action requiring a person under arrest to be brought before a court to determine if detention is lawful.
Indemnity
A contractual obligation by one party to compensate another for loss or damage.
Injunction
A court order requiring a party to do or refrain from doing a specific act.
Interrogatories
Written questions sent by one party to another that must be answered under oath.
Jurisdiction
The official power of a court to make legal decisions and judgments in a particular area or subject.
Liability
Legal responsibility for one's acts or omissions.
Lien
A legal claim on property as security for a debt or obligation.
Liquidated Damages
A predetermined amount of compensation agreed upon in a contract for a specific breach.
Mediation
A voluntary process where a neutral third party helps disputing parties reach a settlement.
Mens Rea
The mental element of a crime — the intention or knowledge of wrongdoing.
Merger
The combination of two companies into a single entity.
Miranda Rights
Rights that must be read to suspects in the US upon arrest, including the right to remain silent and to an attorney.
Mortgage
A loan secured by real property, where the lender can seize the property if the borrower defaults.
Motion to Dismiss
A request to the court to throw out a case, typically for legal insufficiency.
Negligence
Failure to take reasonable care to avoid causing injury or loss to another person.
Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA)
A contract where parties agree not to disclose confidential information shared between them.
Plaintiff
The party who initiates a lawsuit by filing a complaint in court.
Plea Bargain
An agreement between prosecutor and defendant where defendant pleads guilty for a lesser charge or sentence.
Power of Attorney
A legal document authorizing a person to act on another's behalf in legal or financial matters.
Precedent
A court decision that serves as an authority for deciding subsequent similar cases.
Pro Bono
Legal work performed voluntarily and without payment, typically for the public good.
Pro Se
Representing oneself in court without an attorney.
Res Judicata
A matter that has been adjudicated by a competent court and may not be pursued further by the same parties.
Severability
A clause ensuring that if one part of a contract is invalid, the remainder stays enforceable.
Shareholder Agreement
A contract among shareholders governing their rights, obligations, and the management of the company.
Stare Decisis
The legal principle of following precedent — courts should follow decisions made in earlier, similar cases.
Statute
A written law enacted by a legislative body.
Statute of Limitations
The maximum time period after an event within which legal proceedings may be initiated.
Subpoena
A legal document ordering a person to attend court or produce documents.
Summary Judgment
A court ruling made without a full trial when there is no dispute of material fact.
Title Insurance
Insurance protecting against financial loss from defects in title to real property.
Tort
A civil wrong that causes harm or loss, resulting in legal liability for the wrongdoer.
Vesting
The process by which an employee earns ownership of employer-provided benefits over time.
Voir Dire
The jury selection process where attorneys question potential jurors for bias.
Warranty
A promise or guarantee in a contract that certain facts or conditions are true.
