action
A proceeding by one person against another in a court to obtain the enforcement or protection of a right, the redress or prevention of a wrong, or the punishment of a public offense.
administrative law
A body of law in the form of rules, regulations, orders, and decisions created by administrative agencies in order to carry out their duties and responsibilities.
breach
The failure to perform a legal obligation.
case
A judicial proceeding for the determination of a dispute between parties in which rights are enforced or protected, wrongs are prevented or redressed, or public offenses are prosecuted.
case law
Rules of law announced in court decisions.
Rules of law announced in court decisions.
A situation or state of facts that gives a person a right to initiate a judicial proceeding.
civil law
The branch of law dealing with the definition and enforcement of all private or public rights, as opposed to criminal matters.
civil law system
A system of law derived from that of the Roman Empire and based on a code rather than case law.
common law
That body of law developed from custom or judicial decisions in English and U.S. courts.
criminal law
Law that governs and defines those actions that are crimes and that subject the convicted offender to punishment imposed by the government.
damages
Money sought as a remedy for a harm suffered.
international law
The law that governs relations among nations.
law
A body of rules of conduct with legal force and effect, set forth by the government of a society.
lawsuit
A judicial proceeding for the resolution of a dispute between parties in which rights are enforced or protected, wrongs are prevented or redressed, or public offenses are prosecuted.
precedent
A court decision that furnishes an example or authority for deciding subsequent cases involving identical or similar facts.
remedy
The relief given to innocent parties, by law or by contract, to enforce a right or to prevent or compensate for a wrong.
stare decisis
A doctrine of the courts under which judges are obligated to follow the precedents established within their jurisdictions.
statutory law
Laws enacted by a legislative body.