Legal Terms
A
Abatement: The legal right to remove a nuisance following a reasonable notice period to the wrongdoer or the reduction of a legacy if the deceased has not left enough money to pay in full.
Absolute Privilege: Protects a person from being sued for defamation in certain circumstances eg a judge in court or an MP making comments in the House of Commons.
Absolute Title: Land registered with the Land Registry where the owner has a guaranteed title to the land.
Accord and Satisfaction: The payment by a debtor of a debt or part of a debt.
Acknowledgement of Service: A document whereby a defendant confirms that a claim form or other legal document has been received and that he or she intends to contest the claim.
Actual Bodily Harm: The offence of causing injury to an individual by attacking them which does not have to be a serious injury but more be more than a scratch.
Agent Provocateur: Someone who sets up an individual by provoking him or her to commit a crime in order to have this individual arrested.
Aiding and Abetting: Helping someone to commit a crime.
Amicus Curiae: A friend of the court. A lawyer who does not represent any of the parties but who contributes by giving information to the court.
Assault: The crime of behaving in a way to make someone believe they will be attacked and hurt.Assault is the threat of violence not the act.
