Americas Legal Connection

Home>>Glossary

Glossary

waive To voluntarily give up a right or a claim.	without prejudice A dismissal "without prejudice" allows a new suit to be brought on the same cause of action.

weight of evidence The balance or preponderance of evidence; the inclination of the greater amount of credible evidence, offered in a trial, to support one side of the issue rather than the other.	with prejudice As applied to a judgment of dismissal, the term refers to the adjudication of a case on its merits, barring the right to bring or maintain another action on the same claim.

Witness - One, who testifies under oath as to what she or he has seen, heard or otherwise observed.	writ An order issued from a court requiring the performance of a specified act, or giving authority and commission to have it done.

warehouse receipt Much like a bill of lading except that the goods are not being shipped but merely stored.	warranty A guarantee or promise made by the manufacture or seller that the goods or services offered really are what they claim to be, or that goods or services are what a reasonable person has a right to expect.

warranty deed A deed in which the grantor claims that he or she has title, and that the property is free of the claims of others.	warranty of habitability An implied warranty in which the landlord guarantees that the premises are reasonably fit for occupancy and that there are no defects that would impair the health, safety, or well being of the occupants.

whistleblower An employee that discloses to the government, media, or upper management that the company is involved in wrongful or illegal activities.	whole-life insurance A relatively costly form of insurance protection that includes a savings feature.

will A person's declaration of how he or she wishes property to be distributed upon his or her death.	workers compensation Worker protection provided for by the state statutes that the compensate covered workers or their dependents for injury, disease, or death that occurs on the job or as a result of it.

World Bank An international organization that works closely with the IMF to ensure that developing countries have access to funds to stimulate their countries.	World Trade Organization (WTO) An international organization responsible for overseeing the implementation for all multinational trade agreements negotiated now or in the future.

wrongful possession When property,such as stolen goods, is transferred without permission of the owner.