Glossary of Tort Law Terms

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Legal Glossaries Index

Joint And Several Liability Limits: The doctrine of joint and several liability is a fairness rule, developed over centuries to protect injured consumers. It applies when more than one defendant is found fully or substantially responsible for causing an injury. For example, if one wrongdoer is insolvent or cannot pay their share, the other fully-responsible wrongdoers must pay the bill, to make sure the innocent victim is fully compensated.

Judge: Government official with authority to decide lawsuits brought before courts. Other judicial officers in the U.S. courts system are Supreme Court justices.

Judgment: The official decision of a court finally determining the respective rights and claims of the parties to a suit.

Judgment Non Obstante Veredicto: Known also as a judgment notwithstanding the verdict. A decision by a trial judge to rule in favor of a losing party even though the jury's verdict was in favor of the other side. Usually applied when the facts or law do not support the jury's verdict.

Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.

Jurisprudence: The study of law and the structure of the legal system.

Juror: A person who is on the jury.

Jury Charge: The judge's instructions to the jurors on the law that applies in a case and definitions of the relevant legal concepts. These instructions may be complex and are often pivotal in a jury's discussions.

Jury: Persons selected according to law and sworn to inquire into and declare a verdict on matters of fact.

Just Cause: A legitimate reason. Often used in the employment context to refer to the reasons why someone was fired.