Glossary

From the beginning; treated as if it never existed.

A reduction, suspension, or ending of a legal action, nuisance, or tax/penalty.

Taking a person away by force, threat, or deception.

To encourage, assist, or help someone commit an unlawful act.

A temporary state of suspension or inactivity.

A formal renunciation of a right, claim, or belief.

The legal ending or elimination of a right, duty, office, or practice.

To repeal or formally cancel a law, right, or agreement.

To hide or leave secretly to avoid legal process or creditors.

Liability without needing to prove fault or intent.

Complete immunity from liability for statements in certain contexts (e.g., in court).

A summary of a court judgment used to create a lien on real property.

A summarized history of ownership and recorded interests in real property.

A professional who prepares an abstract of title from public records.

A standard of review meaning a judge’s decision was unreasonable or arbitrary.

Misusing legal procedures for an improper purpose.

Litigation tactics or filings intended to burden or intimidate rather than resolve a dispute.

An owner of land that borders or touches another parcel or a public way.

Property that directly touches another property line or boundary.

A contract term making the full balance due upon default.

To agree to receive something offered (e.g., a contract offer or service).

Assent to the terms of an offer, creating a contract.

Agreement to receive legal papers without formal service procedures.

The legal ability or right to enter or use property (often via easement or right-of-way).

A method of acquiring property where ownership extends to additions or increases to the original property.

Someone who helps in a crime, either before or after, depending on jurisdiction.

A person who helps an offender after a crime to hinder apprehension or punishment.

A person who assists or encourages a crime before it is committed (older classification).

An unintentional event that may give rise to liability depending on negligence.

An endorser who signs a negotiable instrument to support another party’s obligation.

A person who signs a negotiable instrument to lend their credit to another without direct benefit.

A person who participates in committing a crime, often by aiding or encouraging.

Legal responsibility for a crime based on assisting or encouraging the principal offender.

An agreement to accept a different performance to settle an existing obligation.

Settlement by agreement (accord) and its execution (satisfaction), discharging the claim.

A record of financial transactions and obligations between parties.

An agreement that a stated balance is correct and will be paid.

A court-ordered or agreed process to determine amounts owed.

Gradual increase of land by natural forces, often affecting ownership.

The moment a legal claim or right begins (e.g., when a cause of action arises).

Damages that have accumulated up to a certain point in time.

A formal charging document initiating a criminal case (e.g., complaint, information, indictment).

A person charged with a crime.

A formal declaration (often before a notary) that a signature is genuine and voluntary.

Implied acceptance through silence or lack of objection.

A verdict that the defendant is not guilty.

A written law enacted by a legislature.

A natural event beyond human control used as a defense or contract allocation of risk.

A principle limiting courts from judging the validity of public acts of a foreign sovereign within its territory.

A lawsuit or legal proceeding.