A default is a failure to fulfill an obligation. Defaulting is most common in regards to debtor-creditor law and contract law. Typically, a default leads to judicial proceedings or triggers the application of a separate contract provision....
civil procedure
default divorce
A default divorce is one where a divorce judgment is entered on the other party's failure to file an answer to the divorce petition. In this situation, the spouse seeking a divorce files a petition for divorce against the other spouse. The...
default judgment
A default judgment (also known as judgment by default) is a ruling granted by a judge or court in favor of a plaintiff in the event that the defendant in a legal case fails to respond to a court summons or does not appear in court. The...
defective verdict
A defective verdict is a verdict flawed to such extent that a judgment cannot be based on it. There are several instances that might occur to render a verdict defective. For example, a verdict may be defective because of procedural...
defendant
Defendant, in criminal cases, is the person accused of the crime. In civil cases, the defendant is the person or entity that is being sued by the plaintiff. In certain types of actions, the defendant is called the respondent. However, the...
defense
A defense is an act of protecting one’s own interests. In common law, a defendant may use defenses to prevent or limit liability. A defense can either allege a failure to state a claim, or affirm the existence of a claim and present...
defense attorney
Defense attorney, also known as a defense lawyer, is an attorney representing a defendant in a lawsuit or criminal prosecution. Attorneys representing a defendant in a criminal case are formally referred to as “criminal defense attorneys.” In...
defense of property
“Defense of property” refers to an affirmative defense to liability for an alleged crime that one used force in order to protect one's property. For example, When defendants are charged with criminal assault or battery, they may argue that...
demand
To request forcefully or under legal authority. A demand letter usually initiates the legal dispute resolution process in which one party is seeking performance or abstention from a specific action, or monetary restitution to settle a claim.
In...
demand letter
A demand letter is a letter, usually written by an attorney on a client’s behalf, outlining the dispute between the two opposing parties and demanding that the recipient of the letter take or cease a certain action. The purpose of a demand...