(A) civil law. A right which the nature of a debt gives to a creditor, and which entitles him to be preferred before other creditors. Creditors of the same rank of privileges, are paid in concurrence, that is, on an equal footing. Privileges may exist either in movables, or immovables, or both at once. They are general or special, on certain movables. The debts which are … [Read more...]

As used in contradistinction to public law, the term means all that part of the law which is administered between citizen and citizen, or which is concerned'with the definition, regulation, and enforcement of rights in cases where both the person in whom the right inheres and the person upon whom the obligation is incident are private individuals. See PUBLIC LAW. … [Read more...]

The Fifth Amendment of the Constitution provides the right of a witness to refrain from answering a question in court, under oath, if the answer might reveal criminal actions that could result in the prosecution and/or conviction of the witness. A witness has a right not to be compelled to provide testimony that could be used to prosecute the witness for criminal activity. … [Read more...]

Insurance for a mortgage lender, covering the lender's losses should the buyer default on the loan and the foreclosure sale price is less than the amount remaining on the mortgage and due to the lender. Home buyers who put less than 20% down are frequently required to pay a PMI. … [Read more...]

Article IV of the U.S. Constitution: Prohibits any state from discriminating against out of state residents and in favor of citizens within its borders. It also provides equal rights and immunities for citizens who travel between states. … [Read more...]