doctrine of Stare Decisis
doctrine that requires lower courts to follow existing case law in deciding similar cases
due process of law
constitutional requirement for fundamental fairness in legal/court systems; must be provided adequate notice and a proper hearing
legal rights
benefit you’re entitled to by the law; a claim recognized and delimited by law for the purpose of securing it
legal duties
an obligation arising out of contract or law
specific performance
remedy for breach of contract the orders the breaching party to do exactly what was required under the contract
civil law
group of laws used to provide remedy for wrongs against individuals
criminal law
group of laws that defines and sets punishments for offenses against society
civil case
plaintiff, seek money, preponderance of evidence, not always a jury, majority rule, liable/non liable
criminal case
prosecutor, seek punishment, burden of proof, availability of a jury always, unanimous vote, guilty/not guilty
arbitration
listen to both parties sides then make legally-binding decision/solution
mediation
try to keep both sides talking to come up with solutions/agreements
elements of a tort
duty
breach of duty
injury
causation
negligence
doing something or not doing something that a reasonable prudent would or would not do under similar circumstances
contributory negligence
if the plaintiff is even 1% at fault, they get nothing
comparative negligence
the award is reduced by the percent of the plaintiff’s fault
50/50 rule
if the plaintiff is more than 50% at fault they get nothing
vicarious liability
responsibility of someone else’s torts
lottery
pay to play
win by chance/luck
prize awarded
capacity
the ability to understand consequences of a contract
offer
a proposed statement
requirements:
intent
complete and clear
communicated to the offeree
acceptance
in effect once posted/sent
consideration
promise, performance, or forbearance bargained by a promisor in exchange for their promise; consideration is the main element of a contract, without consideration by both parties, a contract cannot be enforceable
revocation
in effect once received/seen
duress
occurs when one party uses an improper threat or act to obtain an expression of agreement
undue influence
occurs when one party to a contract is in a position of trust and wrongfully dominates the other party
ratification
approve or enact a legally binding act that would not otherwise be binding in the absence of such approval
disaffirmance
the right for one party to renounce a contract; refusal to be bound by a previous legal agreement
injunction
court order to do or not to do something
FINAL CASE
negligence!!
comparative negligence
50/50 rule
reasonable person test (RPT)
foreseeable action
assumption of risk