wex definitions

An action refers to a judicial proceeding. If a party brings a civil or criminal case against you, an action has been brought against you. The party bringing the action is the plaintiff /prosecution respectively. 

A claim is actionable if there exist sufficient circumstances to meet the requirements of a cause of action.

Actual authority is an agent's power to act on behalf of a principal because such power was expressly or impliedly conferred. Express actual authority is when a principal directly tells the agent that they have the authority to take certain action.

Actual cause is a necessary element for both liability in civil cases and a guilty verdict under much of criminal law.

Actual controversy is a constitutional requirement for courts to issue a declaratory judgment. The requirement stems from the Declaratory Judgment Act, 28 U.S.C.

In tort law, actual damages, also known as compensatory damages, are damages awarded by a court equivalent to the loss a party suffered. If a party’s right was technically violated but they suffered no harm or losses, a court may instead grant nominal damages.

• tort law
• damages
• COMPENSATORY DAMAGES
• actual damages
• contract law

Actual innocence refers to a failure of proof defense arguing that the prosecution failed to prove all relevant elements of a charged crime beyond a reasonable doubt. 

Actual notice is a notice that is given directly to a party or is personally received by a party informing them of a case that could affect their interests.

Actuarial tables (also called life expectancy tables, mortality tables, and life tables) are statistical tools used by companies, scientists, courts, and government agencies to predict the life expectancy of a person by their age, gender, and other factors. The tables most often give life expectancy based by year and gender. For example, the life expectancy for women may be 9.9 years at age 75, 9.5 at age 76, etc.

• evidence
• life insurance

Actus reus refers to the act or omission that comprise the physical elements of a crime as required by statute. Actus reus includes only a voluntary affirmative

• criminal law
• mens rea
• mental state
• criminal act