Chapter 1 - Law and Legal Reasoning Flashcards
Administrative Agency
A federal or state government agency created by the legislature to perform a specific function, such as to make and enforce rules pertaining to the environment
Administrative Law
The body of law created by administrative agencies in order to carry out their duties and responsibilities
Allege
To state, recite, assert, or charge.
Appellant
The party who takes an appeal from one court to another
Appellee
The party against whom an appeal is taken- that is, the party who opposes setting aside or reversing the judgement.
Binding Authority
Any source of law that a court must follow when deciding a case
Breach
To violate a law, by an act or an omission, or to break a legal obligation that one owes to another person or to society
Case Law
The rules of law announced in court decisions. Case law interprets statutes, regulations, constitutional provisions, and other case law.
Case on Point
A previous case involving factual circumstances and issues that are similar to those in the case before the court.
Citation
A reference to a publication in which a legal authority - such as a stature or a court decision - or other source can be found.
Civil Law
The branch of law dealing with the definition and enforcement of all private or public rights, as opposed to criminal matters.
Common Law
The body of law developed from custom or judicial decisions in English and U.S. courts, not attributable to a legislature.
Concurring Opinion
A court opinion by one or more judges or justices who agree with the majority but want to make or emphasize a point that was not made or emphasized in the majority’s opinion
Constitutional Law
Law that is based on the U.S. Constitution and the constitutions of various states
Court of Equity
A court that decides controversies and administers justice according to the rules, principles, and precedents of equity
Court of Law
A court in which the only remedies that could be granted were things of value, such as money damages. In the early English king’s courts, courts of law were distinct from courts of equity
Criminal Law
The branch of law that defines and punishes wrongful actions committed against the public
Cyberlaw
An informal term used to refer to all laws governing electronic communications and transactions, particularly those conducted via the Internet
Damages
A monetary award sought as a remedy for a breach of contract or a tortious act
Defendant
One against whom a lawsuit is brought, or the accused person in a criminal proceeding.
Defense
Reasons that a defendant offers in an action or suit as to why the plaintiff should not obtain what he or she is seeking
Dissenting Opinion
A court opinion that presents the views of one or more judges or justices who disagree with the majority’s decision
Equitable Maxims
General propositions or principles of law that have to do with fairness (equity).
Executive Agency
An administrative agency within the executive branch of government. At the federal level, executive agencies are those within the cabinet of departments