Abbreviation for "juris doctor" or "doctor of jurisprudence" and the formal name given to the university law degree in the United States. It is a prerequisite to most bar admission exams.

A false boast by someone intended to increase his standing at the expense of another. This formed the basis of an ancient legal petition called "jactitation of marriage" in which a person could be ordered by the courts to cease claims of being married to a certain person when, in fact, they were not married. The tort of slander of title (which see) is a form of jactitation.

Refers to a plaintiff´s ability to sue one or more defendants separately or all together at his or her option. Permits a group of defendants to be held both individually and collectively liable for all damages suffered by the plaintiff. The plaintiff can recover the entire amount of damages from one defendant, even if all of the defendants are liable.

A child custody decision in which both parents share joint legal custody and joint physical custody. This is not common and many professionals have taken to referring to "joint legal custody but sole maternal physical custody" as "joint custody".

A form of legal co-ownership of property (also known as survivorship). At the death of one co-owner, the surviving co-owner becomes sole owner of the property. Tenancy by the entirety is a special form of joint tenancy between a husband and wife.

Workers´ compensation judges are appointed and are representatives of the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry. They conduct hearings in an administrative proceeding for workers´ compensation cases.

Official decision of a court resolving the issues in a legal action and stating the rights and obligations of the parties. See also decree, order.

An order by the trial judge entering a judgment in a manner contradictory to the jury?s verdict. This is granted only when the verdict is unreasonable and unsupportable.

Pertaining to a judge.

The procedure by which a judge recognizes the existence of the truth of a certain fact having bearing on the case without the production of evidence because such fact is established by common notoriety. For example, if the accident happened on Thanksgiving, the judge can take judicial notice that the accident happened on a Thursday.

The authority of a court to review the official actions of other branches of government. Also, the authority to declare unconstitutional the actions of other branches.

Latin, from Roman law: by right, under legal authority or by the authority of the law. A variation, "juris" means "of right" or "of the law." See jurisprudence below which means "science of the law."

The legal right by which judges exercise their authority.

The study of law and the structure of the legal system.

Persons selected according to law and sworn to inquire into and declare a verdict on matters of fact. A petit jury is an ordinary or trial jury, composed of six to 12 persons, which hears either civil or criminal cases.

The court officer responsible for choosing the panel of persons to serve as potential jurors for a particular court term.

Latin: word which, in Roman law, meant the law or a right. Also spelt "ius" in some English translations.

Latin: referring to a legal right of way, and to enjoyment, granted to the public but only for the purposes of recreation or education, such as upon parks or public squares. Some courts have said that a jus spatiandi is a special type of easement.

A state of affairs in which conduct or action is both fair and right, given the circumstances. In law, the paramount obligation to ensure that all persons are treated fairly. Litigants "seek justice" by asking for compensation for wrongs committed against them that will right the inequity such that the balance of "good" or "virtue" over "wrong" or "evil" has been corrected.

Issues and claims capable of being properly examined in court.