Legal terms starting with I

The process of proving or confirming someone's identity, especially in criminal cases.

A contract whose purpose or performance violates the law.

A promise that appears binding but actually gives one party the power to escape it.

Attacking a witness's credibility or reliability by presenting contradictory evidence.

A requirement not written in a contract but understood to be part of the deal.

Conditions that courts infer must be met even though the parties did not state them.

A contract where the parties' intent to be bound is shown by conduct rather than explicit words.

An unwritten promise in every contract that parties will act honestly and fairly toward each other.

An unspoken legal guarantee that a product is fit for its ordinary purpose and of acceptable quality.

A guarantee that goods will work for a specific purpose the buyer told the seller about.

A landlord's legal duty to maintain rental property in safe, livable condition.

An automatic guarantee that goods sold by a merchant are fit for their ordinary purpose.

A contract inferred from the parties' conduct and the circumstances of their dealings.

A court-imposed obligation to prevent unjust enrichment when no actual contract exists.

A situation where performance of a contract becomes physically or legally impossible after the contract is made.

A situation where performing a contract becomes impossible through no party's fault.

Performance remains theoretically possible but becomes so difficult or expensive that it's unreasonably burdensome.

A legal excuse when unforeseen circumstances make contract performance extremely difficult or expensive.

A will provision that punishes beneficiaries who challenge the will by cutting off their inheritance.

A third party who benefits from a contract by accident, not by the parties' intent.

Extra costs directly caused by a breach, like shipping or storage fees.

A statement made by someone that suggests they committed a crime or participated in criminal activity.

A promise to compensate someone for losses, damages, or legal costs they suffer.

A contract provision requiring one party to compensate the other for losses, damages, or legal costs arising from specified events.

A formal written accusation charging someone with a crime, issued by a grand jury.

A contract that does not require special formalities and can be binding even if made orally or casually.

A court order telling someone to stop doing something or start doing something.

A false statement made honestly, without knowledge of its falsity or negligence.

The legal principle that a defendant is presumed innocent unless the prosecution proves guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

A legal argument that the defendant was mentally ill and therefore not responsible for their criminal conduct.

A written contract that the parties intend as the complete and final statement of their deal.

A person who is not a party to a contract but has the right to enforce it because the parties meant to benefit them.

The defendant's conscious purpose or knowledge that their actions would cause a particular result.

The legal process of distributing a deceased person's property when they leave no valid will.

Being under the influence of alcohol or drugs in a way that impairs judgment and contract capacity.

A request or display that invites others to make an offer, not an offer itself.

A display or communication inviting others to make an offer, not itself an offer.

Causing someone's death without intent to kill, through reckless or negligent conduct.

A trust that cannot be changed, modified, or terminated once created without beneficiary consent.

All direct descendants of a person, including children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.