Glossary of Terms Index

Glossary of Legal Terms - O

Oath: A promise to do something or formal declaration, which involves an appeal to God.

Obiter dictum: A statement made by a judge which is not necessary to decide the case and is therefore not binding.

Obligation: A legal duty.

Obscenity: Material which is offensive tending to corrupt or deprave, or, designed to stimulate an obsessive interest in sex which lacks any redeeming social value.

Obstruction of Justice: To interfere with the operations of a court.

Old system title: Ownership of real property with such a title as must be traced back through all of the previous owners since the land was first granted, as different from 'Torren Title' or statutory title under the 'Real Property Act of New South Wales.

Ombudsman: An independent person who has the job of investigatingcomplaints by citizens against semi-government ot government employees or authorities.

Ordinance: Law enacted by a municipal body or local council.