An award is defined as a final judgment or decision. Generally, an award will include a declaration that one party owes another a certain amount of money. Although the term often refers to the decisions of arbitrators and juries, it can also...
courts
background fact
Background facts are facts in a case that help an observer understand the origins of a specific legal issue or dispute. Background facts are not necessary to answer any question of law, it simply provides essential context. Additionally,...
badgering the witness
Badgering the witness is an objection that counsel can make during a cross-examination of a witness where opposing counsel becomes hostile or asks argumentative questions. If an attorney begins repeatedly asking a witness about the same thing...
bail bond
Bail bond is an agreement to pay the court if a criminal defendant fails to meet the terms of conditional release from custody. Many bail bonds are signed by the defendant and the defendant's sureties (e.g., a bondsman). Some bail bonds are...
bailiff
Bailiff is a legal officer who has authority to act a custodian. Some common usages of the term “bailiff” in a legal sense include:
Bailiff is someone entrusted with the care and protection, guardianship, or jurisdiction of a person,...balancing test
A “balancing test” is defined as a subjective test with which a court weighs competing interests. For instance, a court would weigh the interest between an inmate's liberty interest and the government's interest in public safety, to decide...
bankruptcy
Overview:
Bankruptcy law provides for the reduction or elimination of certain debts, and can provide a timeline for the repayment of nondischargeable debts over time. It also permits individuals and organizations to repay secured debt....
bankruptcy court
There are 94 federal judicial districts. Each of these districts handle bankruptcy matters. Bankruptcy courts refer to the courts in each district that specifically hear bankruptcy cases. In almost every district, bankruptcy courts hear...
bankruptcy discharge
A bankruptcy discharge is granted by the bankruptcy court to release the debtor permanently from personal liability for certain specified types of debts. In other words, the debtor is no longer legally required to pay any debts that are...
bankruptcy estate
A bankruptcy estate is the property of the debtor who filed bankruptcy. The estate includes all property in which the debtor has an interest, even if it is owned or held by another person - like obvious and tangible assets, or intangible...