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N

Definitions for legal terms and law concepts beginning with N
Nation
A group or race of people that share history, traditions and culture. - (see definition)
National treatment
A tenet of international trade agreements whereby nations must afford imported goods the same treatment that they afford domestic or national products (no discrimination). - (see definition)
Natural justice
A word used to refer to situations where audi alteram partem (the right to be heard) and quasi-judicial or judicial decisions. - (see definition)
NCND Agreement
An international trade instrument; non circumvention/non disclosure agreement used in the preliminary stages of a business transaction where the Seller and Buyer do not know each other, but are brought into contact with each other by one or more intermediaries (also known as brokers or middlemen), to fulfill the transaction. - (see definition)
Negligence
Not only are people responsible for the intentional harm they cause, but their failure to act as a reasonable person would be expected to act in similar circumstances (i.e. negligence) will also give rise to compensation. - (see definition)
Negotiate
To communicate on a matter of disagreement between two parties, with a view to first listen to the other party's perspective and to then attempt to arrive at a resolution by consensus. - (see definition)
Nemo judex in parte sua
Latin, and a fundamental principle of natural justice which states that no person can judge a case in which he or she is party or in which he/she has an interest. - (see definition)
Next of kin
The nearest blood relative of a deceased. - (see definition)
Nolo contendere
Latin for I will not defend it. Used primarily in criminal proceedings whereby the defendant declines to refute the evidence of the prosecution. - (see definition)
Non compos mentis
Not of sound mind (Latin). - (see definition)
Non est factum
Latin for not his deed and a special defense in contract law to allow a person to avoid having to respect a contract that she or he signed because of certain reasons such as a mistake as to the kind of contract. - (see definition)
Nonfeasance
Not doing something that a person should be doing. Compare with malfeasance and misfeasance. - (see definition)
Non-joinder
When a person who should have been made a party to a legal proceedings has been forgotten or omitted. - (see definition)
Non-profit
Operated as nearly as possible at cost; an organization not seeking profit and which does not disgorge excess income to its members, in the form of dividends or otherwise. - (see definition)
Noscitur a sociis
That the meaning of a word may be known from accompanying words. - (see definition)
Notary
Also known as notary public: a legal officer with specific judicial authority to attest to legal documents usually with an official seal. - (see definition)
Not For Profit
Operated as nearly as possible at cost; on a cost-recovery basis; an organization not seeking profit and which does not disgorge excess income to its members, in the form of dividends or otherwise. - (see definition)
Notwithstanding
In spite of, even if, without regard to or impediment by other things. - (see definition)
Novation
substitute a new debt for an old debt cancelling the old debt. - (see definition)
Nudum pactum
A contract-law term which stands for those agreements which are without consideration, such as a unilateral undertaking, which may bind a person morally, but not under contract law, in those jurisdictions which still require consideration. - (see definition)
Nuisance
Excessive or unlawful use of one’s property to the extent of unreasonable annoyance or inconvenience to a neighbor or to the public. Nuisance is a tort. - (see definition)
Nunc pro tunc
Deemed retroactive - (see definition)

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Unless otherwise noted, this article was written by Lloyd Duhaime, Barrister, Solicitor, Attorney and Lawyer (and Notary Public!). It is not intended to be legal advice and you would be foolhardy to rely on it in respect to any specific situation you or an acquaintance may be facing. In addition, the law changes rapidly and sometimes with little notice so from time to time, an article may not be up to date. Therefore, this is merely legal information designed to educate the reader. If you have a real situation, this information will serve as a good springboard to get legal advice from a lawyer.

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