TOPIC 1
A law enacted by a legislative body of Congress. The words bill and law are used synonymously with
Act
A modification or alteration proposed to be made to a bill on its passage or to an enacted law. Also, a modification or change.
AMENDMENT
A connected series of propositions; a system of rules.
ARTICLES
The ten original amendments to the U.S constitution.
BILL OF RIGHTS
The failure by a party to a contract to fulfill the terms of the contract in accordance with his or her promise.
BREACH OF CONTRACT
The law as laid down in cases that have been previously decided.
CASE LAW
The distribution of powers of the federal government.
CHECKS AND BALANCES
That body of law including offenses against the individual as distinguished from criminal law.
CIVIL LAW
Wrongs committed by one person against another in which the victim may be entitled to damages.
CIVIL WRONGS
A collection of laws classified by subject matter.
CODE
The unwritten law based on custom or court decision, as distinct from statute law.
COMMON LAW
To assign responsibility and liability for damage in direct proportion to the amount of negligence of each of the parties.
COMPARATIVE NEGLIGENCE
The basic principles and laws that govern a nation, state, or society; a document containing such laws.
CONSTITUTION
Negligence of the plaintiff, which, combined with negligence of the defendant was the immediate and direct cause of the injury complained of.
CONTRIBUTORY NEGLIGENCE
That body of law characterized by or relating to a crime or an offense against the state or society.
CRIMINAL LAW
A Latin term defining gross negligence
CULPA LATA
A Latin term used to define slight negligence.
CULPA LEVIS SIMA
Absolute or unqualified title to real property.
FEE SIMPLE
Pertaining to a system of land tenure existing during the Middle Ages
FEUDAL SYSTEM
A tenant’s interest in property as created by a lease.
Leasehold
The great body of law that states the rights and obligations of all persons and the law practiced by attorneys.
SUBSTANTIVE LAW
Laws enacted by Congress or the state legislatures.
STATUTORY LAW
A Latin term meaning to stand a decision. Refers to the policy of courts to stand by precedent.
STARE DECISIS
An injury or wrong committed to the person, property, or reputation of another.
TORT
A work that embodies the civil and religious law of the Jewish people.
TALMUND