Duhaime's Law Dictionary A Legal definitions for terms and concepts beginning with A And/Or Any combination of two options; one, the other (either), or both. Angary The right of a state at war, in circumstances of necessity, to seize or destroy property belonging to a neutral state. Animal A creature or living thing, other than human, being able to move of its own accord. Animal Law That body of law particular to the liability associated with animals or the rights or statutory protection of animals. Animal Rights A legal philosophy that seeks to establish that animals have rights of their own. Animal Sacrifice To unnecessarily kill, torment, torture, or mutilate an animal in a public or private ritual or ceremony not for the primary purpose of food consumption. Animal Welfare An body of law interested in the promotion of minimal standards of animal care including the prohibition of cruelty towards animals. Animus Latin: intention. Animus Contrahendi Latin: an intention to contract. Animus Furandi Latin: an intent to do wrong. Annulment To make void forever; to cancel an event or judicial proceeding both retroactively and for the future so that in the eyes of the law, it never occurred. Antedate To date back; retroactively. Antenuptial An event or document which pre-dates a marriage. Antichresis Civil law: the pledge of real property as security for a debt. Anticipatory Breach When a party to a contract receives an indication from the other party that they intend on not performing their contractual obligations. Anti-psychotic Drugs Tranquilizing pharmaceutical products used to minimize or control psychotic episodes or the symptoms associated with schizophrenia. Antisocial Personality Disorder A pervasive pattern of disregard for and violation of the rights of others. Anti-trust Prohibited trade, marketplace or merchant activities as defined in a relevant anti-trust or such other restraint of trade statute. Anton Piller Order A court order allowing a party to litigation to enter the premises of another to search for and, if found, remove specified documents or items. Apartheid Afrikaan for apartness. A set of South African laws and regulations that implemented and enforced racial discrimination and segregation. Apology A statement of regret and responsibility for an act or omission. Apostacy The ancient criminal offence of atheism or not being Christian, or of denying the doctrines of a state religion. Appeal To ask a more senior court or person to review a decision of a subordinate court or person. Appearance The act of showing up in court as either plaintiff, defendant, accused or any other party to a civil or criminal suit. Appellant The person who initiates an appeal of a judicial body's decision. Apportionment The division and distribution of something into proportionate parts; to each according to their share. Appraisal The informed and objective inspection and estimation of a thing's worth. Appraisement The inspection and appraisal or valuation of property, especially vessels, such as by a court-appointed surveyor, before its judicial sale, thus allowing the court to make an informed decision as to whether the judicial sale price is fair to the parties, particularly where there are competing claims for the proceeds of sale. Approver A person who confesses a felony and confesses an accomplice. Appurtenance Something that, although detached, stands as part of another thing. Appurtenant Easement An easement that runs with and serves a parcel of land known as the dominant tenement, distinguished from the parcel of land on which the easement is imposed (known as the servient tenement). Arbiter An alternate term for arbitrator; preferred in some jurisdictions such as Scotland. Arbitration An agreement to submit a dispute for a hearing and binding decision by a third-party, an arbitrator(s), who is neither a judge or a Court Arbitration Act A statute that sets out default terms for the conduct of arbitration between parties to a dispute. Arbitration Agreement A contract between two or more parties to refer a dispute to arbitration. Arbitration Clause A clause in a contract which requires a party to refer a dispute to arbitration. Arbitration Rules The rules of procedure that govern a particular arbitration. Arbitrator The adjudicating and presiding officer of a dispute submitted to arbitration. Arbuckle Rights The right of an accused to be sentenced by the judge who took his guilty plea. Argumentum Ab Inconvenienti Plurimum Valet In Lege Latin: An argument drawn from inconvenience is forcible in law. Armchair Rule A rule of interpretation that a judge, called upon to interpret an otherwise unclear legal document, shall take into account the circumstances in which the document was created. Armed Robbery Robbery committed while the person accused is armed with a dangerous weapon. Arm's Length A transaction or relationship where there is an absence of control the one over the other. Arraignment The formal appearance of an accused person to hear, and to receive a copy of, the charge against him or her, in the presence of a judge, and to then enter a plea of guilty or not guilty. Arrears A debt that is not paid on the due date adds up and accumulates in arrears. Arrest The detainment or restraint of a person or thing for the purposes of determining legal rights as regards a thing, or suspicion of criminal activity as regards a person. Arrest (Maritime Law) The detention of a vessel by order of a Court to secure a maritime claim. Arrestment Scots law: the seizure of monies owned by a debtor but held by a third-party. Arson The intentional setting of a fire to a building. Arthritis A medical condition characterized by the inflammation of the joints. Page1 (Ab - Ac) | Page2 (Ac - Af) | Page3 (A - An) | Page4 (An - Ar) | Page5 (As - Aw) Always looking up definitions? Save time with our search provider (modern browsers only) If you find an error or omission in Duhaime's Law Dictionary, or if you have suggestion for a legal term, we'd love to hear from you!