Those which are made to punish actions committed before the existence of such laws, and which had not been declared crimes by preceding laws. Declar. of Rights, Mass. part 1, s. 24 Declar. of Rights, Maryl. art. 15. By the constitution of the United States and those of the several states, the legislatures are forbidden to pass ex post facto laws. Const. U. S. art. 1, s. 10, … [Read more...]

The laws which govern a country or jurisdiction; the land. … [Read more...]

A legal action that is commenced by one person or party against another and adjudicated within a court of law. A vernacular term for a suit, action, or cause instituted or depending between two private persons in the courts of law. … [Read more...]

Formally, an international agreement that establishes boundaries of the seas and oceans. Sometimes referred to informally by sailors as deferring to the great powers that is the ocean and which it exhibits over those who travel within the sea. … [Read more...]

A counselor; one learned in the law. Another name for an attorney. A person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel, or solicitor. Any person who, for fee or reward, prosecutes or defends causes in courts of record or other judicial tribunals of the United States, or of any of the states, or whose business it is to give legal advice in relation to any cause or matter … [Read more...]