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L
- lack of jurisdiction
- Court's lack of power to act in a particular manner or to give certain
kinds of relief.
- lapsed gift
- Gift made in a will to a person who died before will-maker.
- larceny
- Unlawfully taking personal property with intent to deprive owner of it
permanently. Also called theft. Differs from robbery.
- law
- Rules established by governing authorities to maintain order in a society.
- law clerks
- Law students who assist judges and attorneys with legal research, writing,
etc.
- leading question
- Question which suggests the answer desired of witness. Generally may be
asked only of a hostile witness and on
cross-examination.
- leave of court
- Permission received from a court to take a nonroutine action.
- legal aid
- Professional legal services available for free or for reduced cost to those
unable to afford them.
- leniency
- Recommendation by prosecutor to judge for a sentence less than maximum
allowed.
- letters of administration
- Legal document appointing the administrator of an estate.
- letters testamentary
- Legal document authorizing executor to settle estate.
- levy
- Seizing property of a debtor for satisfaction of a judgment against
him/her. Also, imposition of fine or tax.
- liable
- Legally responsible for.
- libel
- Published words or pictures that falsely and maliciously defame a person.
Compare slander and fair comment.
- lien
- Legal claim against another person's property as security for a debt,
lasting until the debt has been paid.
- limited action
- Civil action in which recovery of less than a certain amount as specified
by statute is sought.
- limited jurisdiction
- Courts limited in types of cases they may hear. In Pennsylvania these
courts include district justice courts, Philadelphia Municipal Court,
Philadelphia Traffic Court and Pittsburgh Magistrates Court. Also called minor
courts. See inferior court. Compare
general jurisdiction.
- lis pendens (liss PEN DENZ)
- Pending suit. Also, legal notice that a dispute exists which may affect
title to a certain piece of land.
- litigant
- Party to a lawsuit.
- litigation
- Lawsuit or process of carrying through a lawsuit.
- living trust
- Trust set up and in effect during lifetime of grantor. Also called inter
vivos trust. Compare testamentary trust.
- locus delicti (LOW cuss deh LICK tye)
- Place where offense was committed.
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