s Legal definitions for terms and concepts beginning with s Summary Conviction Offence In Canada, a less serious offence than indictable offences and for which both the procedure and punishment tends to be less onerous. Summary Judgment A court order dismissing a claim summarily, upon application, and based on the allegation that there is no claim or defence with a reasonable prospect of success. Summary Trial The trial of an action by way of affidavit evidence only or by use of truncated process. Summons In the USA, this is one of the initial documents issued in a civil suit; giving the defendant notice of the claim and an opportunity to defend it. Superficial Wound A scrape, bruise, discoloration, or swelling, of minimal severity. Super Injunction An injunction obtained in a secret convening of the court where in the result, the court file, the names of the parties and even the terms of the injunction order are secret except as between the parties, counsel, the judge and the court staff. Supersedeas An application to a court to stay proceedings; most frequently, to stay enforcement or collection proceedings upon a judgment. Supersedeas Bond A contract by which a surety obligates itself to pay a final judgment rendered against its principal under the conditions stated in the bond. Superseding Cause An intervening act or event which overwhelms a defendant's antecedent negligence and prevents him/her from being liable. Supervisor An employee with limited management discretion or responsibilities. Suppressed Evidence The intentional non-disclosure by the prosecution of evidence favorable to an accused and asked for by the accused, where that evidence is material either to guilt or punishment. Surety A person who promises to answer for the debt or performance of another. Surety Bond A three party bond contract in which a third party (the "surety") backs up a principal by agreeing to honour the principal's obligation(s) towards the obligee of a bond in the event of the latter's default. Surface Waters Waters falling on the land by precipitation or rising from springs. Surplusage Superfluous allegations, especially in regards to pleadings. Surrender A declaration of an overpowered belligerent that it is ceasing hostilities. Suspended Sentence A judicial prerogative retained by a sentencing judge on a person convicted of a crime by which the full sentencing of a convicted person is suspended or deferred until some future time commensurate with the convicted person’s compliance with the terms of an interim probation order. Suspicious Circumstances Circumstances in the preparation or signing of a document that give rise to suspicion as to mental capacity of, or fraud or duress upon the signatory. Sutler A civilian merchant assigned to an army in the field to provision soldiers with consumer goods. Swamp Lands which, from excessive rainfall or other causes, retain at some seasons of the year excessive water which damages and renders them unfit for use. Sweepstakes A contest where prizes are awarded in a random draw. Synallagmatic Contract A civil law term for a reciprocal or bilateral contract: one in which both parties provide consideration. Syndicate A formal, informal or secret group of individuals or, more usually, corporations, formed to carry on a specified purpose. Page1 (Sa - Se) | Page2 (Se - So) | Page3 (So - ST) | Page4 (St - Su) | Page5 (Su - Sy) Find you are constantly looking up definitions? Try our search provider (works in most modern browsers) If you find an error or omission in Duhaime's Legal Dictionary, or if you have legal term suggestion, we'd love to hear from you!