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civil law. A name given generally, to all species of frauds committed in making contracts. 2. This word is said to be derived from the Latin stellio, a kind of lizard remarkable for its cunning and the change of its color, because those guilty of frauds used every art and cunning to conceal them. But more particularly it was the crime of a person who fraudulently assigned, … [Read more...] about STELLIONATE

An English statute, passed 6 Edw. I., A. D., 1278; so called, because it was passed at Gloucester. There were other statutes made at Gloucester, which do not bear this name. See stat. 2 Rich. II. … [Read more...] about STATUTE OF GLOUCESTER

State statutes may define the portion of the estate of a deceased person that another person is entitled to by law, and this term is usually used to describe the share a spouse may claim either 1/3 or 1/2 of the deceased spouse's property. It may vary according to the number of children they have, how long they are married or other factors. Another name for the statutory share … [Read more...] about STATUTORY SHARE

The period of time following an incident that gave rise to a lawsuit during which a lawsuit can be filed. For example, a personal injury lawsuit may be required to be brought within 2 or 3 years after the date the injury occurred. The statue of limitations for each type of lawsuit, such as breach of contract or fraud, varies according to state law. For more information see: … [Read more...] about STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS

In order to qualify for a utility patent, it must be within one of the five categories set forth in 35 United States Code, Section 101: compositions of matter, manufactures, machines, processes, and new and useful improvements of the four major categories. The entire group is called statutory subject matter. … [Read more...] about STATUTORY SUBJECT MATTER