Legal Glossary

Equitable defense barring recovery if a party has inexcusably delayed in asserting a right or claim which thereby resulted in undue prejudice.

A governmental conveyance of public land to a private individual.

1. As used in Mississippi’s Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, the owner, lessor or sublessor of the dwelling unit or the building of which it is a part, or the agent representing such owner, lessor or sublessor. 2. One with legal standing to sue the tenant for breach of the rental agreement.

Stealing the personal property of another. Grand larceny applies if the value of the property stolen is $1000.00 or more. Petit larceny applies if the value of the property stolen is less than $1000.00. See Miss. Code Ann. §§ 97-17-41 and -43.

A case or controversy brought before a court.

The lawyer who is principally in charge of a case.

An agreement to rent real or personal property, usually for a specified time; creates a legal relationship known as landlord and tenant or lessor and lessee.

Permission of the court necessary to proceed in way that otherwise would be prohibited or limited by the rules of procedure.

A disposition of personal property by will.

Of or relating to the law.

Days declared a legal holiday under Miss. Code Ann. Section 3-3-7 or as otherwise provided by law. The courthouse is officially closed on such days.

One who receives personal property under a will.

Someone who leases or rents property, real or personal, from another. Compare, TENANT.

One whose property, real or personal, is rented or leased to another. Compare, LANDLORD.

A formal document issued by the chancery court authorizing one to act as the administrator of a decedent’s estate.

A formal document issued by the chancery court authorizing one to act as the conservator of an estate.

A formal document issued by the chancery court authorizing one to act as the guardian of a minor or specified ward of the court.

Procedure to obtain testimony from a witness residing in a foreign jurisdiction.

A formal document issued by the chancery court authorizing one to act as the executor of a decedent’s estate.

1. To impose a tax. 2. Legal process of satisfying a judgment by the seizure and sale of property.

Latin: “The law.”

Latin: “The law of the place.” The local law or custom.

A written defamatory statement. Compare, DEFAMATION.

1. Permission by the applicable governing authorities to engage in certain activity or conduct upon meeting specific criteria. 2. Permissive use of land by which the owner allows another to come onto the owner’s land for a specific purpose.

One who enters and remains on another’s property for one’s own benefit, with the owner’s consent or permission.

A claim against property to secure a debt or other obligation.

One holding a claim against property to secure a debt or other obligation.

An estate in which the duration is limited to a specified person’s lifetime, usually the possessor. Compare, PER AUTRE VIE.

A time limit set by law within which certain legal actions must be brought.

A police identification procedure in which the suspect is presented alongside others of similar general appearance and stature. Compare, SHOWUP.

Latin: “A pending lawsuit.” A notice of lis pendens is filed of record to warn the public that certain property is involved in litigation.

A party in a civil action.

The lawsuit process.

Animals, such as cattle and swine, produced for profit.

A temporary restoration of sanity.