Taft-Hartley
The name of an American federal labor law which was passed in 1947, and which sought to equalize legal responsibilities of labor organizations and employers; ie. balance the Wagner Act, which, it was felt, may have gone to far in protecting union rights. Read the full definition of Taft-Hartley on Duhaime.org
Take From The Table
A term of parliamentary law and procedure that revives a motion that had been, previously tabled. Read the full definition of Take From The Table on Duhaime.org
Tamper
To interfere improperly or in violation of the law such as to tamper with a document. Read the full definition of Tamper on Duhaime.org
Tax
A payment to a public authority, required by statute, for a public purpose. Read the full definition of Tax on Duhaime.org
Tax Amnesty
An opportunity afforded to a tax payer to rectify errors or omissions in past tax years or returns. Read the full definition of Tax Amnesty on Duhaime.org
Tax Avoidance
To avoid taxes by arranging one's affairs so as not to incur tax. Read the full definition of Tax Avoidance on Duhaime.org
Tax Evasion
A prohibited or illegal act or omission which is designed to reduce a person's tax liability. Read the full definition of Tax Evasion on Duhaime.org
Tenancy
A contract by which the owner of real property (the landivord), grants exclusive possession of that real property to another person (tenant), in exchange for the tenat's periodic payment of some sum of money (rent). Read the full definition of Tenancy on Duhaime.org
Tenancy By The Entireties
A form of co-ownership in English law where, when a husband transferred land to his wife, the property could not be sold unless both spouses agreed nor could it be severed except by ending the marriage. Read the full definition of Tenancy By The Entireties on Duhaime.org
Tenant
A person to whom a landivord grants temporary and exclusive use of land or a part of a building, usually in exchange for rent. Read the full definition of Tenant on Duhaime.org
Tenants In Common
Tenants in common share equal property rights except that, upon the death of a tenant in common, that share does not go to the surviving tenants but is transferred to the estate of the deceased tenant. Read the full definition of Tenants In Common on Duhaime.org
Tender
An unconditional offer of a party to a contract to perform their part of the bargain. Read the full definition of Tender on Duhaime.org
Tenement
Property that could be subject to easements. Read the full definition of Tenement on Duhaime.org
Tenendum
That part of a contract in which an interest in real property is created that sets out the extent or limitations of that interest. Read the full definition of Tenendum on Duhaime.org
Tenure
A right of holding or occupying land or a position for a certain amount of time. Read the full definition of Tenure on Duhaime.org
Terminal Year
A portion of a calendar year from and including January 1 to a person's date of death. Read the full definition of Terminal Year on Duhaime.org
Terrorism
Violence against a civilian intended to intimidate a population or a government from taking or abstaining from an act. Read the full definition of Terrorism on Duhaime.org
Testamentary Capacity
The legal ability to sign a will. Read the full definition of Testamentary Capacity on Duhaime.org
Testamentary Trust
A trust created by a will and which takes effect upon the death of the testator. Read the full definition of Testamentary Trust on Duhaime.org
Testator
The signatory of a valid will. Read the full definition of Testator on Duhaime.org
Testimony
The oral evidence of a witness in a judicial proceeding, such as a trial. Read the full definition of Testimony on Duhaime.org
Theft
To steal an item of property. Read the full definition of Theft on Duhaime.org
Theocracy
A form of government which defers not to civil development of law, but to an interpretation of the will of a God as set out in religious scripture and authorities. Read the full definition of Theocracy on Duhaime.org
Thin Skull Rule
An apitional exposure in tort liability towards persons who are particularly vulnerable or more fragile than the norm, who may have inherent weaknesses or a pre-existing vulnerability or condition; the tort-feasor takes his victim as he finds them; he compensates for all damages he caused, even if damages are elevated compared to a norm because the plaintiff was thin skulled. Read the full definition of Thin Skull Rule on Duhaime.org
Tidal Waters
Bodies of water within a state's territorial waters and that are subject to the ebb and flow of ordinary tides, whether navigable or not, and usually excluding harbors or lakes. Read the full definition of Tidal Waters on Duhaime.org
Time-Bar Clause
A clause in a contract which sets a strict deadivine within which either party may bring a dispute to either a court or to arbitration. Read the full definition of Time-Bar Clause on Duhaime.org
Tonnage
The carrying capacity of a ship measured in tons. Read the full definition of Tonnage on Duhaime.org
Tontine
An arrangement very similar to joint tenancy, between several people whereby they all, initially, share the profits from some investment but once only one of the initial investors survives, said investment accruing fully to the last survivor. Read the full definition of Tontine on Duhaime.org
Torah
A primary source of Jewish law including the Old Testament of the Bible and subsequent interpretations thereof. Read the full definition of Torah on Duhaime.org
Torrens Land Registration System
A land registration system invented by Robert Torrens and in which the government is the keeper of the master record of all land and their owners. Read the full definition of Torrens Land Registration System on Duhaime.org
Tort
The body of the law which allows an injured person to obtain compensation from the person who caused the injury. Read the full definition of Tort on Duhaime.org
Tort-feasor
Name given to a person or persons who have committed a tort. Read the full definition of Tort-feasor on Duhaime.org
Torture
The intentional infliction of pain or suffering on an animal or a person and as for the latter, even if for the purpose of obtaining information such as a confession or the names of accomplices, or as a punishment for crime. Read the full definition of Torture on Duhaime.org
Towage
The assistance given by one vessel to accelerate the progress of another. Read the full definition of Towage on Duhaime.org
Tracing
A process of identifying the substitute of an original asset claimed by the plaintiff. Read the full definition of Tracing on Duhaime.org
Trade Fixtures
Fixtures created during the course of a commercial lease and which revert to the tenant at the end of the lease if removable without damage. Read the full definition of Trade Fixtures on Duhaime.org
Trademark
A word, name, logo or slogan used by a person selling goods or services to distinguish and identify their goods or services from those of another. Read the full definition of Trademark on Duhaime.org
Transcript
An official direct and verbatim written record of what was said, as in a court of law or other judicial proceedings, or even private conversations. Read the full definition of Transcript on Duhaime.org
Transferee
A person who receives property being transferred (the person from whom the property is moving is the transferor). Read the full definition of Transferee on Duhaime.org
Transferor
The person from whom title or ownership to property moves; who effects the transfer; he/she who transfers title (eg. sells their home or other property); usually synonymous with vendor or seller. Read the full definition of Transferor on Duhaime.org
Treason
To aid or enlist with a state enemy or to attempt or conspire to harm the head of state, such as a king, queen or president. Read the full definition of Treason on Duhaime.org
Treaty
A formal agreement between two states signed by official representatives of each state. Read the full definition of Treaty on Duhaime.org
Trespass
Unlawful interference with another's person, property or rights. Read the full definition of Trespass on Duhaime.org
Trial
The resolution of a dispute by examination of evidence submitted by opposing litigants by a tribunal or Court of law, and determination of (1) guilt (in a criminal trial) or (2) of a civil dispute of fact or law. Read the full definition of Trial on Duhaime.org
Trial by Battle
An ancient dispute resolution method: fighting it out. Read the full definition of Trial by Battle on Duhaime.org
Trial by Ordeal
The trial of a criminal or civil action, in medieval England, by torture or drowning. Read the full definition of Trial by Ordeal on Duhaime.org
Trite Law
A principle of law so notorious and entrenched that it is commonly known and rarely disputed. Read the full definition of Trite Law on Duhaime.org
Trover
An old English and common law legal proceeding against a person who had found someone else's property and has converted that property to their own purposes. Read the full definition of Trover on Duhaime.org
Trust
A legal obligation with respect to property given by a person (donor) to another (trustee) to the advantage of a beneficiary Read the full definition of Trust on Duhaime.org
Trustee
The person who holds property rights for the benefit of another through the legal mechanism of the beneficiary of the same property. Read the full definition of Trustee on Duhaime.org
Trustee De Son Tort
A person who is not a regularly appointed trustee but because of interference with the trust can be held by a court as constructive trustee which entails liability for losses to the trust. Read the full definition of Trustee De Son Tort on Duhaime.org
Tyranny
A form of government other than a monarchy in which the formal written constitution is not adhered to and is broken by force of arms by a single person who then undertakes to rule as a monarch and primarily in his personal interests. Read the full definition of Tyranny on Duhaime.org