For insurance purposes, this normally begins when covered expenses are incurred.

Grant by the court, which assures someone will not face prosecution in return for providing criminal evidence.

A percentage estimate of how much normal use of your injured body parts that you have lost. Impairment ratings are based on guidelines published by the AMA.

Selecting a jury from the list of potential jurors.

An attack on the credibility (believability) of a witness, through evidence introduced for that purpose.

In a judge´s chambers; in private.

Judge´s private inspection of a document prior to his or her ruling on its admissibility or use at trial.

Trial or proceeding in a place not open to the public, usually in a judge´s chambers.

In the manner of a pauper. Permission given to a person to sue without payment of court fees on claim of indigence or poverty.

Latin: at the beginning or on the threshold. A motion "in limine" is a motion that is tabled by one of the parties at the very beginning of the legal procedures.

Latin: both parties are equally at fault. The usual use of this phrase is "in pari delicto, potior est conditio possidentis" meaning that where both parties in a dispute are equally at wrong, the party in possession of the contested property will retain it (i.e. the law will not intervene).

Latin: All legal rights are either in personam or in rem (which see). An in personam right is a personal right attached to a specific person. In rem rights are property rights and enforceable against the entire world.

One who is not represented by an attorney.

In court´s it refers to persons who present their own case without lawyers. See Pro Se.

Latin: All legal rights are either in personam or in rem. In rem rights are proprietary in nature; related to the ownership of property and not based on any personal relationship, as is the case with in personam rights.

That which, under the rules of evidence, cannot be admitted or received as evidence.

To confine in jail.

The inability or lack of legal qualification or fitnessto discharge the required duty.

Legal rights which are intangible such as copyrights or patents.

An incorporeal right which is attached to property and which is inheritable. Easements and profits à prendre (which see) are examples of incorporeal hereditaments as are hereditary titles such as those common in the United Kingdom.

A right or title in property that cannot be made void, defeated, or canceled by any past event, error, or omission in the title. For example, a certificate of title issued under a Torrens land titles system is said to be "indefeasible" because the government warrants that no interest burdens the title other than those on the certificate. This makes long and expensive title searches unnecessary.

To restore the victim of a loss, either in whole or in part, by payment of money or repair or replacement of the thing lost.

An agreement wherein one party financially protects another against an anticipated loss.

Some employers classify employees as an independent contractors to avoid workers´ compensation. If your employer controls the manner of your work, has the right to terminate you, pays you an hourly wage or salary, requires you to work a specific schedule and makes deductions for Social Security or unemployment, then you are likely NOT an independent contractor.

A special kind of executor, permitted by the laws of certain states, who performs the duties of an executor without intervention by the court.

A sentence of imprisonment to a specified minimum and maximum period of time, specifically authorized by statute, subject to termination by a parole board or other authorized agency after the prisoner has served the minimum term.

A written accusation by a grand jury charging a person with a crime.

Needy or impoverished. A defendant who can demonstrate his or her indigence to the court may be assigned a court-appointed attorney at public expense.

Writ or order by a court prohibiting a specific action from being carried out by a person or group.

Murder of an infant soon after its birth.

A benefit whose real value does not decline as the cost of living rises. Social Security benefits are adjusted automatically every year to keep pace with the cost of living.

Accusatory document, filed by the prosecutor, detailing the charges against the defendant. An alternative to an indictment, it serves to bring a defendant to trial.

Person´s agreement to allow something to happen, such as a medical procedure, that is based on full disclosure of the facts necessary to make an intelligent decision.

A violation of law not punishable by imprisonment. Minor traffic offenses generally are considered infractions.

A state tax on property that an heir or beneficiary under a will receives from a deceased person´s estate. The heir or beneficiary pays this tax.

In criminal law, the hearing at which a judge determines whether there is sufficient evidence against a person charged with a crime to hold him or her for trial. The Constitution bans secret accusations, so initial appearances are public unless the defendant asks otherwise; the accused must be present, though he or she usually does not offer evidence. Also called first appearance.

Writ or order by a court prohibiting a specific action from being carried out by a person or group. A preliminary injunction is granted provisionally, until a full hearing can be held to determine if it should be made permanent.

Hurt or harm; violate the legal rights of another person.

A person unable to pay his or her debts as they become due. "Insolvency" is a prerequisite to bankruptcy.

Judge´s explanation to the jury before it begins deliberations of the questions it must answer and the applicable law governing the case. Also called charge.

Nonphysical items such as stock certificates, bonds, bank accounts, and pension benefits that have value and must be taken into account in estate planning.

As a person with ataxic cerebral palsy reaches for an object or attempts to perform an act (such as putting on a shoe), the body part that he or she is moving may begin to tremble. Intention tremors become stronger as the person reaches the object.

Intentionally causing severe emotional distress by extreme or outrageous conduct.

Latin: "among other things", "for example" or "including". Legal drafters use this term to precede a list of examples or samples covered by a more general descriptive statement. Sometimes an inter alia list is used to make absolutely sure that users of the document understand that the general description covers a certain element (which was covered in the general description anyway) without, in any way, restricting the scope of the general element to include other things that were not singled out in the inter alia list.

Latin: between parties.

Latin: from one living person to another living person. For example, an inter vivos trust is one which the settlor sets up to take effect while he or she is still alive. It can be contrasted with the testamentary trust, which is to take effect only upon the settlor's death. Another example is the sale of a life estate which can only occur between persons living; i.e. inter vivos.

A gift made during the giver´s life.

Another name for a living trust.

A temporary court order intended to be of limited duration, usually just until the court has had an opportunity of hearing the full case and make a final order.

An addition of verbiage to a document after it has been signed. Such additions are of none effect unless they are initialed by the signatories and, if applicable, witnesses (e.g. wills).

Provisional; not final. An interlocutory order or an interlocutory appeal concerns only a part of the issues raised in a lawsuit.

An injunction lasting only for the duration of the trial during which the injunction was sought.

A person who, without legal right, runs a business (e.g. without mandatory licenses), or who wrongfully interferes or intercepts another's business.

A combination of treaties and customs which regulates the conduct of states amongst themselves. The highest judicial authority of international law is the International Court of Justice and the administrative authority is the United Nations.

Written questions developed by one party´s attorney for the opposing party. Interrogatories must be answered under oath within a specific period of time.

An action by which a third person who may be affected by a lawsuit is permitted to become a party to the suit. Differs from the process of becoming an amicus curiae.

See descent and distribution statutes.

Dying without a will.

The process by which the property of a person who has died without a will passes on to others according to the state´s descent and distribution statutes. If someone dies without a will, and the court uses the state?s interstate succession laws, an heir who receives some of the deceased´s property is an intestate heir.

To take effect, to result; to come into operation.

A person is an invitee on land if he enters land by invitation; his entry is connected with business being conducted on the land by the possessor of land; and the possessor of land is benefited by the entry.

Movement that is not under the control of the brain. The movement is caused by electrical stimulation of the muscle, and in individuals with cerebral palsy, the involuntary movement happens so often that it interferes with their ability to function.

A trust that, once set up, the grantor may not revoke.

A condition of abnormally increased spontaneous movement (motility) of the small and large intestine, generally stress can contribute to this condition.

An inflammation caused by interference with the blood flow to the large intestine. This lack of blood flow leads to death of tissue.

The law as interpreted from the Koran. Under Islamic law, the religion of Islam and the government are one. There is no separation or church and state. Islamic law is controlled, ruled and regulated by the Islamic religion and purports to regulate all public and private behavior, including personal hygiene, diet, sexual conduct, and child rearing. Islamic law now prevails in countries all over the middle east and elsewhere covering twenty per cent of the world's population. It is probably best known for deterrent punishment, which is the basis of the Islamic criminal system.

(1) The disputed point in a disagreement between parties in a lawsuit. (2) To send out officially, as in to issue an order.