Americas Legal Connection

Home>>Glossary

Glossary

lawsuit A legal action started by a plaintiff against a defendant based on a complaint that the defendant failed to perform a legal duty, resulting in harm to the plaintiff.	leading question A question that instructs a witness how to answer or suggests which answer is desired. These questions are usually prohibited on direct examination.

lien A legal claim against another persons property as security for a debt. A lien does not convey ownership of the property, but gives the lien holder a right to have his or her debt satisfied out of the proceeds of the property if the debt is not otherwise paid.	limitation (statute of) A certain time allowed by statute in which litigation must be brought.

liquidated damages A form of money payment in an amount specified in advance by a contract or agreement as the sum to be paid if terms were violated.	litigant Individual bringing a lawsuit. Participants (plaintiffs and defendants) in lawsuits are called litigants.

litigation A case, controversy, or lawsuit.	living trust A trust set up and in effect during the lifetime of the grantor. Also called inter vivos trust.

long-arm statute State laws that give a court jurisdiction to try civil cases in which persons from other states have been sued. Long-arm statutes are commonly employed to allow a local court to exercise jurisdiction over out-of-state motorists who cause automobile accidents within the state.	landlord The owner of real property who gives up his or her right of possession.

lease The documents in which the terms of a rental agreement are written.	leasehold estate An estate in which a person has in interest in real property that comes from real a lease.

legacy A gift of money by will.	legality of purpose The requirement that the intent of a contract be legal for the contract to be enforceable.

legislative branch The branch of government body that consists of elected representative who have the responsibility for passing laws that represent the will of the people.	lessee In the context of a lease, the party who contracts to lease the property from the property owner, or lessee.

lessor In the context of a lease, the property owner who contracts to lease a property in the tenant, or lessee.	liable being judged legally responsible.

libel Ant false statement that harms another person's good name or reputation made in a permanent form, such as movies, writing, and videotape and communicated to others.	life estate A freehold estate in which a person has an ownership interest only for his or her lifetime.

limited warranty A written warranty that does not meet the minimum requirements of a full warranty.	living will A document in which a person directs his or her physician or health proxy to forgo certain extraordinary medical procedures in especially dire circumstances.

larceny The act of taking and carrying away the personal property of another without the right to do so.