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T

Definitions for legal terms and law concepts beginning with T
Taft-Hartley
The name of an American federal labor law which was passed in 1947, and which sought to equalize legal responsibilities of labor organizations and employers; ie. balance the Wagner Act, which, it was felt, may have gone to far in protecting union rights. - (see definition)
Take From The Table
A term of parliamentary law and procedure that revives a motion that had been, previously tabled. - (see definition)
Tamper
To interfere improperly or in violation of the law such as to tamper with a document. - (see definition)
Tax Amnesty
An opportunity afforded to a tax payer to rectify errors or omissions in past tax years or returns. - (see definition)
Tax Avoidance
To avoid taxes by arranging one's affairs so as not to incur tax. - (see definition)
Tax Evasion
A prohibited or illegal act or omission which is designed to reduce a person’s tax liability. - (see definition)
Tenancy by the entireties
A form of co-ownership in English law where, when a husband transferred land to his wife, the property could not be sold unless both spouses agreed nor could it be severed except by ending the marriage. - (see definition)
Tenant
A person to whom a landlord grants temporary and exclusive use of land or a part of a building, usually in exchange for rent. - (see definition)
Tenants In Common
Tenants in common share equal property rights except that, upon the death of a tenant in common, that share does not go to the surviving tenants but is transferred to the estate of the deceased tenant. - (see definition)
Tender
An unconditional offer of a party to a contract to perform their part of the bargain. - (see definition)
Tenement
Property that could be subject to easements. - (see definition)
Tenure
A right of holding or occupying land or a position for a certain amount of time. - (see definition)
Terminal Year
A portion of a calendar year from and including January 1 to a person's date of death. - (see definition)
Testamentary Trust
A trust created by a will and which takes effect upon the death of the testator. - (see definition)
Testator
A person who dies with a valid will. - (see definition)
Testimony
The oral evidence of a witness in a judicial proceeding, such as a trial. - (see definition)
Theft
To steal an item of property. - (see definition)
Thin Skull Rule
An additional exposure in tort liability towards persons who is particularly vulnerable or more fragile than the norm, who may have inherent weaknesses or a pre-existing vulnerability or condition; the tort-feasor takes his victim as he finds them; he compensates for all damages he caused, even if damages are elevated compared to a norm because the plaintiff was thin skulled. - (see definition)
Torrens land registration system
A land registration system invented by Robert Torrens and in which the government is the keeper of the master record of all land and their owners. - (see definition)
Tort
The body of the law which allows an injured person to obtain compensation from the person who caused the injury. - (see definition)
Tort-feasor
Name given to a person or persons who have committed a tort. - (see definition)
Torture
The intentional infliction of pain or suffering on an animal or a person and as for the latter, even if for the purpose of obtaining information such as a confession or the names of accomplices, or as a punishment for crime. - (see definition)
Tracing
A process of identifying the substitute of an original asset claimed by the plaintiff. - (see definition)
Trade Fixtures
Fixtures created during the course of a commercial lease and which revert to the tenant at the end of the lease if removable without damage. - (see definition)
Trademark
A word, name, logo or slogan used by a person selling goods or services to distinguish and identify their goods or services from those of another. - (see definition)
Transcript
An official direct and verbatim written record of what was said, as in a court of law or other judicial proceedings, or even private conversations. - (see definition)
Transferee
A person who receives property being transferred (the person from whom the property is moving is the transferor). - (see definition)
Transferor
The person from whom title or ownership to property moves; who effects the tranfer; he/she who transfers title (eg. sells their home or other property); so, usually the vendor or seller. - (see definition)
Treason
To aid or enlist with a state enemy or to attempt or conspire to harm the head of state, such as a king, queen or president. - (see definition)
Treaty
A formal agreement between two states signed by official representatives of each state. - (see definition)
Trespass
Unlawful interference with another’s person, property or rights. - (see definition)
Trial
The resolution of a dispute by examination of evidence submitted by opposing litigants by a tribunal or Court of law, and determination of (1) guilt (in a criminal trial) or (2) of a civil dispute of fact or law. - (see definition)
Trial by Battle
An ancient dispute resolution method: fighting it out. - (see definition)
Trial by Ordeal
The trial of a criminal or civil action, in medieval England, by torture or drowning. - (see definition)
Trover
An old English and common law legal proceeding against a person who had found someone else’s property and has converted that property to their own purposes. - (see definition)
Trust
A legal obligation with respect to property given by a person (donor) to another (trustee) to the advantage of a beneficiary - (see definition)
Trustee
The person who holds property rights for the benefit of another through the legal mechanism of the beneficiary of the same property. - (see definition)
Trustee De Son Tort
A person who is not a regularly appointed trustee but because of interference with the trust can be held by a court as constructive trustee which entails liability for losses to the trust. - (see definition)
Tyranny
A form of government other than a monarchy in which the formal written constitution is not adhered to and is broken by force of arms by a single person who then undertakes to rule as a monarch and primarily in his personal interests. - (see definition)

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Unless otherwise noted, this article was written by Lloyd Duhaime, Barrister, Solicitor, Attorney and Lawyer (and Notary Public!). It is not intended to be legal advice and you would be foolhardy to rely on it in respect to any specific situation you or an acquaintance may be facing. In addition, the law changes rapidly and sometimes with little notice so from time to time, an article may not be up to date. Therefore, this is merely legal information designed to educate the reader. If you have a real situation, this information will serve as a good springboard to get legal advice from a lawyer.

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