legal practice/ethics

animal testing

Animal testing refers to the use of animals for scientific research. They can be used in scientific research for a variety of purposes, including studying biology, psychology and disease, testing pharmaceutical products, and cosmetics, among...

answer

An answer is a reply to a question or a solution to a problem.

In law, an answer refers to a defendant’s first formal written statement to a plaintiff’s initial petition or complaint. This opening written statement will...

anti-contact rule

The anti-contact rule, also known as rule 4.2 of professional conduct, is a rule prohibiting lawyers from discussing subject matter of any case they’re working on with someone the lawyer knows to be represented by another lawyer in the matter...

anticipatory warrant

An anticipatory search warrant is a warrant that is based on an affidavit that shows probable cause that evidence of a particular crime (such as forged checks) will be at a specified location at some time (however not presently) in the future...

apparent authority

Apparent authority is the power of an agent to act on behalf of a principal, even though not expressly or impliedly granted. This power arises only if a third party reasonably infers, from the principal's conduct, that the principal granted...

appeal

An appeal is a challenge to a previous legal determination. An appeal is directed towards a legal power higher than the power making the challenged determination. In most states and the federal system, trial court determinations can be...

appear

Appear is the verb for when a party makes an appearance at trial. You can appear either in person or virtually, though both options are not always available in any given court.

For more specific information, see appearance...

appearance

A party enters an appearance when they show up to court in response to a service of process. Appearance isn’t only a reference to physical presence in court when required, but also to procedural compliance (e.g., filing an answer,...

appellee

Appellee is the party against whom the appeal is filed and responds to and defends the appeal. The appellee is also referred to as the respondent. In contrast, the appellant is the party who appeals a lower court's judgment or order to a...

approach

Approach refers to moving toward the bench, a witness, or the jury box in court. An attorney may approach the bench in order to have a conversation with the judge and opposing counsel off the record and/or out of the jury's earshot. An...

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