Civil Law

Civil Law covers private rights and remedies, including torts, contracts, property disputes, and family law. Unlike criminal law, civil law aims to compensate victims rather than punish wrongdoers.

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All Articles in Civil Law

Unilateral Contract
A contract where one party makes a promise in exchange for performance.
Liquidated Damages
A specified sum of money agreed to be paid as compensation for breach of contract.
Trespass to Land
Unauthorized entry upon another's real property.
Conversion
Wrongful exercise of dominion over another's personal property.
Delegation
Transfer of duties under a contract to another party.
Intentional Tort
A civil wrong committed with intent, such as assault, battery, or defamation.
Force Majeure
Unforeseeable circumstances that prevent fulfillment of a contract.
Guardianship
A legal relationship where a person is appointed to care for another.
Arbitration
A process where a neutral third party renders a binding decision to resolve a dispute.
Assignment
Transfer of rights under a contract to another party.
Trespass to Chattels
Interference with another's personal property.
Mortgage
A security interest in real property given as collateral for a loan.
Unenforceable Contract
A valid contract that cannot be enforced due to a legal defense.
Bilateral Contract
A contract where both parties exchange mutual promises.
Statute of Frauds
A law requiring certain contracts to be in writing to be enforceable.
Third-Party Claim
A claim filed by the defendant against a person not originally a party to the lawsuit.
Legal Malpractice
Negligence by an attorney that causes harm to a client.
Acceptance
Unconditional agreement to the terms of an offer.
Quiet Title
A lawsuit to establish ownership of real property.
Abuse of Process
Using legal process for an improper purpose.
Answer
The defendant's written response to the plaintiff's complaint.
Impossibility
A defense when performance becomes objectively impossible.
Mediation
A voluntary process where a neutral third party helps parties reach a mutually agreeable resolution.
Implied Contract
A contract formed by conduct rather than express words.
Void Contract
A contract that has no legal effect from the beginning.
Offer
A proposal by one party to enter into a contract.
Invasion of Privacy
Intrusion into another person's private life without consent.
Standing
The legal right to bring a lawsuit based on a direct and personal interest.
Escrow
A neutral third party holding funds or documents until conditions are met.
Quasi-Contract
A fictional contract imposed by law to prevent unjust enrichment.
Voidable Contract
A contract that may be set aside by one party due to defects.
Consideration
Something of value exchanged between parties to form a binding contract.
Malicious Prosecution
Initiating legal proceedings without probable cause and with malicious intent.
Equitable Relief
Non-monetary remedies such as injunctions or specific performance based on fairness.
Counterclaim
A claim made by the defendant against the plaintiff in response to the original complaint.
Frustration of Purpose
A defense when an unforeseen event undermines the purpose of the contract.
Consequential Damages
Indirect damages resulting from a breach but not directly caused by it.
Compensatory Damages
Money awarded to compensate for actual losses or injuries suffered.
False Imprisonment
Unlawful restraint of a person's freedom of movement.
Request for Production
A discovery request demanding documents, records, or tangible evidence.
Nominal Damages
A small amount of money awarded when a legal right was violated but no actual loss occurred.
Covenant
A written agreement or promise contained in a deed.
Cross-Claim
A claim brought by one defendant against another defendant in the same lawsuit.
Deed
A written legal document that transfers ownership of real property.
Verdict
The final decision or finding of fact by a jury in a civil case.
Declaratory Judgment
A court ruling that declares the rights and obligations of the parties without awarding damages.
Collateral Estoppel
A doctrine preventing relitigation of issues already decided in a prior case.
Contributory Negligence
A doctrine barring recovery if the plaintiff was partially at fault.
Defamation
False statements that harm another person's reputation.
Medical Malpractice
Negligence by a healthcare professional that causes harm to a patient.
Title
Legal ownership of property.
Unjust Enrichment
A situation where one party benefits at another's expense without legal justification.
Libel
Defamation in written or permanent form.
Assumption of Risk
A defense that the plaintiff knowingly accepted the risks of an activity.
Damages
Money awarded to a party for loss or injury suffered.
Adverse Possession
Acquiring title to property through continuous, hostile possession for a statutory period.
Testamentary Trust
A trust created by a will that takes effect after death.
Comparative Negligence
A doctrine reducing damages based on the plaintiff's percentage of fault.
Reformation
A remedy rewriting a contract to reflect the parties' true intent.
Request for Admissions
A discovery request asking a party to admit or deny specific facts.
Strict Liability
Liability imposed without proof of fault or intent for inherently dangerous activities.
Punitive Damages
Money awarded to punish the defendant for egregious conduct and deter similar conduct.
Appeal
A request to a higher court to review and change the decision of a lower court.
Pleading
Formal written statements filed with the court that set forth the parties' claims and defenses.
Summary Judgment
A judgment entered without trial when there are no genuine disputes of material fact.
Specific Performance
A remedy requiring a party to perform their contractual obligations.
Rescission
The cancellation of a contract, returning parties to their pre-contract positions.
Product Liability
Liability of manufacturers for injuries caused by defective products.
Slander
Defamation in spoken or temporary form.