Garnishment
The seizing of a person's property, credit or salary, on the basis of a law which allows it, and for the purposes of paying off a debt. Read the full definition of Garnishment on Duhaime.org
Gavel
A wooden mallet used by a judge to bring proceedings to a start or to an end or to command attention in his or her court. Read the full definition of Gavel on Duhaime.org
General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT)
Multilateral international treaty first created in 1947 and frequently amended (most recently in 1994) to which 125 countries subscribe. Read the full definition of General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) on Duhaime.org
General Average
A principle of maritime law where in the event of emergency, if cargo is jettisoned or expenses incurred, the loss is shared proportionately by all parties with a financial interest in the voyage. Read the full definition of General Average on Duhaime.org
General Counsel
The senior lawyer of a corporation. Read the full definition of General Counsel on Duhaime.org
General Deterrence
A sentencing objective which aims to discourage persons other than the offender, from committing a similar offence. Read the full definition of General Deterrence on Duhaime.org
General Partner
The individual in a limited liability partnership business structure, who oversees the management of the business, and who is personally exposed to the debts of the business. Read the full definition of General Partner on Duhaime.org
Genocide
Systematic killing of persons because of their ethnicity. Read the full definition of Genocide on Duhaime.org
Gerrymander
The intentional setting of electoral boundaries taking into account traditional voting patterns, so as to attempt to influence the taking of an elected office. Read the full definition of Gerrymander on Duhaime.org
Gift
A transfer of property with nothing given in return. Read the full definition of Gift on Duhaime.org
Gift over
A device used in wills and trusts to provide for the gift of property to a second recipient if a certain event occurs, such as the death of the first recipient. Read the full definition of Gift over on Duhaime.org
God
Supreme being. Read the full definition of God on Duhaime.org
Golden Rule
A rule of statutory or legal document interpretation which allows a shift from the ordinary sense of as word(s) if the overall content of the document demands it. Read the full definition of Golden Rule on Duhaime.org
Goods
A chattel which is, generally, subject to sale. Read the full definition of Goods on Duhaime.org
Goodwill
An intangible business asset which includes a cultivated reputation and consequential attraction and confidence of repeat customers and connections. Read the full definition of Goodwill on Duhaime.org
Government
Organization of law-making and law enforcement; the form and institutions by which law and order are developed and maintained in a society. Read the full definition of Government on Duhaime.org
Grand Jury
An American criminal justice procedure whereby, in each court district, a group of 16-23 citizens hold an inquiry on criminal complaints brought by the prosecutor and decide if a trial is warranted, in which case an indictment is issued. Read the full definition of Grand Jury on Duhaime.org
Grievance
A claim by a union or a unionized employee that a collective bargaining agreement has been breached. Read the full definition of Grievance on Duhaime.org
Grievance Arbitration
The resolution of a dispute as to an alleged violation of a term of a collective bargaining agreement, by arbitration. Read the full definition of Grievance Arbitration on Duhaime.org
Grossly Unfair
Manifestly unfair; clearly more than merely unfair; disproportionately unfair. Read the full definition of Grossly Unfair on Duhaime.org
Gross Negligence
An action or an omission in reckless disregard of the consequences to the safety or property of another. Read the full definition of Gross Negligence on Duhaime.org
Guarantee or Guaranty
A back-up debtor who steps in if the primary debtor defaults. Read the full definition of Guarantee or Guaranty on Duhaime.org
Guarantor
A person who pledges payment or performance of a contract of another, but separately, as part of an independently contract with the obligee of the original contract. Read the full definition of Guarantor on Duhaime.org
Guardian
An individual who, by legal appointment or by the effect of a written law, is given custody of both the property and the person of one who is unable to manage their own affairs, such as a child or mentally-disabled person. Read the full definition of Guardian on Duhaime.org
Guardian Ad Litem
A guardian appointed to direct litigation on behalf and in the interests of a person otherwise incapable of managing their affairs. Read the full definition of Guardian Ad Litem on Duhaime.org
Guillotine
A machine designed to inflict capital punishment by dropping a blade onto the neck, thus quickly severing of the head from the body. Read the full definition of Guillotine on Duhaime.org