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Glossary abatement reduction, as in a tax amercement inflicting a penalty at the court’s discretion amicus curiae literally, “friend of the court” caveat emptor literally, “let the buyer beware” common law law developed by judges based on precedent de facto “in fact,” referring to a situation that exists defeasance defeating the force or operation of some other deed or will de jure “in law,” meaning consistent in law demurer a party’s allegation may be true, but it lacks consequences docket list of cases for trial en banc the entire court equity a process to remedy a defect in common law ex post facto “after the fact,” or making an act a crime after it has taken place grand jury called especially to investigate and charge habeas corpus literally, “you should have the body”; is there evidence to charge a person with a crime? hotchpot the combination of properties in an estate; the properties are then divided equally among the heirs intestate dying without a will larceny stealing mechanic’s lien a worker’s claim for labor, and he is paid for that labor obiter dictum literally, “beyond the saying” (the core decision); an opinion expressed by a judge that is not binding per curiam the unsigned opinion of the entire court petit jury an ordinary trial jury prima facie literally, “on the face of it”; presumably 370 Glossary pro forma literally, “for form” quash to void or annul quo warranto literally, “by what warrant”; in search of information replevin an action by which an owner recovers goods riparian the right of owner to water under his land seriatim literally, “in a series”; in order situs the location of property or of an event status quo ante literally, “state in which previously”; the preexisting state of things sui juris literally, “of one’s own right”; having complete legal rights tort a private civil wrong or injury writ a court order writ of certiorari to certify the records writ of error to appeal because of possible error writ of mandamus to order a public official to do public duty writ of replevin an action to recover property from someone who wrongfully possesses it ...

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