A

In the civil law. A species of mortgage, or pledge of immovables. An agreement by which the debtor gives to the creditor the income from the property which he has pledged, in lieu of the interest on his debt. Guyot, Repert.; Marquise De Portes v. Hurlbut, 44 N. J. Eq. 517, 14 Atl. 89U. A debtor may give as security for his debt any immovable which belongs to him, the creditor … [Read more...] about ANTICHRESIS

In old English law. An ancient mode of weighing by hanging scales or hooks at either end of a beam or staff, which, being lifted with one's finger or hand by the middle, showed the equality or difference between the weight at one end and the thing weighed at the other. Termee de la Ley, 66. … [Read more...] about ANSEL, ANSUL, OR AUNCEL

(A) Most common in patent law, where an invention is anticipated as being too similar to an invention created earlier and thus isn't considered sufficiently unique or novel and thus not patentable. This can typically occur when something very similar has been prior published somewhere else prior to the date of the invention. (B) The act of doing or taking a thing before its … [Read more...] about ANTICIPATION

Also called a response. Most frequently, this is a defendant's written response to allegations made in a plaintiff's complaint or petition (the first court filing to start the case). An answer typically denies some or all of the facts and allegations made by the plaintiff in the complaint. The answer may also make allegations and a complaint of its own against the plaintiff, … [Read more...] about ANSWER

When one party to a contracts anticipates or believes that it is very likely, based upon circumstances, that the other party will breach the terms of its contract or intend not to perform its obligations. … [Read more...] about ANTICIPATORY BREACH