A lawsuit brought by two parties, not as adversaries, but as collaborators in order to resolve a legal question that affects them both. For example, two compani... (more...)

A lawsuit brought by two parties, not as adversaries, but as collaborators in order to resolve a legal question that affects them both. For example, two companies might bring a friendly suit to court in order to clarify a legal interpretation of a contract between them.

RENT CONTROL

Laws that limit the amount of rent landlords may charge, and that state when and by how much the rent can be raised. Most rent control laws also require a landl... (more...)

Laws that limit the amount of rent landlords may charge, and that state when and by how much the rent can be raised. Most rent control laws also require a landlord to provide a good reason, such as repeatedly late rent, for evicting a tenant. Rent control exists in some cities and counties in California, Maryland, New Jersey, New York and Washington, D.C.

OFFENSIVE COLLATERAL ESTOPPEL

A doctrine that prevents a defendant from re-litigating an issue after it has been lost. For example, if your neighbor sues you for putting up a fence on his la... (more...)

A doctrine that prevents a defendant from re-litigating an issue after it has been lost. For example, if your neighbor sues you for putting up a fence on his land and the court rules that your fence extends beyond your property line, you can't later file your own lawsuit seeking a declaration that the property line is incorrectly drawn.

CAUSE OF ACTION

A specific legal claim -- such as for negligence, breach of contract or medical malpractice -- for which a plaintiff seeks compensation. Each cause of action is... (more...)

A specific legal claim -- such as for negligence, breach of contract or medical malpractice -- for which a plaintiff seeks compensation. Each cause of action is divided into discrete elements, all of which must be proved to present a winning case.

EXCULPATORY CLAUSE

A provision in a lease that absolves the landlord from responsibility for all damages, injuries or losses occurring on the property, including those caused by t... (more...)

A provision in a lease that absolves the landlord from responsibility for all damages, injuries or losses occurring on the property, including those caused by the landlord's actions. Most states have laws that void exculpatory clauses in rental agreements, which means that a court will not enforce them.

APPRECIATION

An increase in value. Appreciated property is property that has gone up in value since it was acquired.

INVITEE

A business guest, or someone who enters property held open to members of the public, such as a visitor to a museum. Property owners must protect invitees from d... (more...)

A business guest, or someone who enters property held open to members of the public, such as a visitor to a museum. Property owners must protect invitees from dangers on the property. In an example of the perversion of legalese, social guests that you invite into your home are called 'licensees.'

BASIS

For income and capital gains tax purposes, the value that is used to determine profit or loss when property is sold. Often the basis is what you paid for the pr... (more...)

For income and capital gains tax purposes, the value that is used to determine profit or loss when property is sold. Often the basis is what you paid for the property, 'adjusted' to reflect improvements made or damage incurred while you own the property. See stepped-up basis, carryover basis.

REFORMATION

The act of changing a written contract when one of the parties can prove that the actual agreement was different than what's written down. The changes are usual... (more...)

The act of changing a written contract when one of the parties can prove that the actual agreement was different than what's written down. The changes are usually made by a court when both parties overlooked a mistake in the document, or when one party has deceived the other.

SAMPLE LEGAL CASES

MORRIS COMM. v. BESSEMER CITY ZONING BOA

On 21 November 2005, Fairway applied to Gaston County for a building permit ("the building permit"). The building permit was issued on 13 December 2005 [1] and contained, inter alia, the following language: "This permit becomes null and void if work or construction ...

LAMAR OCI SOUTH CORPORATION v. STANLY COUNTY ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT

LAMAR OCI SOUTH CORPORATION d/b/a Lamar Advertising of Asheville, Petitioner v. STANLY COUNTY ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT and Stanly County, Respondents. ... Van Winkle, Buck, Wall, Starnes & Davis, PA, by Craig D. Justus, Asheville, for petitioner- ...

Musi v. Town of Shallotte

... We affirm. This appeal arises from a zoning decision of the Board of Alderman of the Town of Shallotte, in Brunswick County, North Carolina. ... In 2006 the subject property was subject to the zoning authority of Brunswick County, and had an R-7500 zoning designation. ...

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RENT CONTROL

OFFENSIVE COLLATERAL ESTOPPEL

CAUSE OF ACTION

EXCULPATORY CLAUSE

APPRECIATION

INVITEE

BASIS

REFORMATION

SAMPLE LEGAL CASES

MORRIS COMM. v. BESSEMER CITY ZONING BOA

LAMAR OCI SOUTH CORPORATION v. STANLY COUNTY ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT

Musi v. Town of Shallotte

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