Legal Terms

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Joint and Several Liability.

A legal doctrine permitting recovery from any of several co-defendants based on ability to pay, rather than the degree of negligence. See "Deep Pockets" Liability.

Joint Tenancy.

Ownership of property shared equally by two or more parties under which the survivor assumes complete ownership. This is different from a tenancy in common where the heirs of a deceased party to the tenancy inherit his or her share.

Judgment or Decree.

The formal decision by a judge or court.

Jurisdiction.

Authority of the court to decide cases of a particular type or in a particular area.