civil procedure

actionable

A claim is actionable if there exist sufficient circumstances to meet the requirements of a cause of action. For example, a claim for the tort of battery is actionable if a person intentionally and without your consent made contact with you...

actual cause

Actual cause is a necessary element for both liability in civil cases and a guilty verdict under much of criminal law. In both civil and criminal cases, actual cause is determined by the but-for cause test; however, some jurisdictions also...

actual controversy

Actual controversy is a constitutional requirement for courts to issue a declaratory judgment. The requirement stems from the Declaratory Judgment Act, 28 U.S.C. § 2201, which allows federal courts to issue declaratory judgments in the case...

actual damages

In tort law, actual damages, also known as compensatory damages, are damages awarded by a court equivalent to the loss a party suffered. If a party’s right was technically violated but they suffered no harm or losses, a court may instead...

actual notice

Actual notice is a notice that is given directly to a party or is personally received by a party informing them of a case that could affect their interests. In case of an actual notice, the notice is served in person as opposed to...

actuarial tables

Actuarial tables (also called life expectancy tables, mortality tables,and life tables) are statistical tools used by companies, scientists, courts, and government agencies to predict the life expectancy of a person by their age, gender, and...

ad hoc

This phrases mean “for this purpose only.” Its literal translation from the Latin is “to this.”

Common examples are an ad hoc committee or an ad hoc commission created for a specific or one-time purpose to address issues that fall outside...

ad litem

The Latin translation of ad litem is "for the suit."

Examples:

A guardian ad litem is a guardian (usually a lawyer) appointed by the court to manage the affairs of the ward as they relate to a proceeding or particular...

additur

Additur is a process whereby a judge increases the amount of damages awarded by a jury. This can occur if the judge finds the jury’s award to be insufficient based on the evidence presented during the trial. Additur is typically offered as an...

adequate remedy

An adequate remedy is one that affords complete relief with reference to the particular matter in controversy, and which is appropriate given the circumstances of the case. An adequate remedy has also been described as a remedy that is...

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