Glossary of Terms Index.

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Glossary of Legal Terms - R

Rape: The common law crime of forcing a female to have sexual intercourse against her will. In legal terms the meaning has been replaced by various statutory offences which forbid any forced unlawful sexual acts.

Ratify:

1. To consent or approve in retrospect.

2. To adopt.

Ratio decidendi: Literally meaning 'the reasons for a decision', the legally binding principle in a case.

Real property: Land and the all the things that go with it.

Rebut: To counter or disprove arguments or evidence presented by the opposing side in a trial. To defeat, repel, contradict, prove otherwise.

Receiver: A court appointed person to deal with the business affairs of an insolvent or bankrupt company.

Receiving stolen goods: To knowingly receive goods which have been obtained illegally.

Reciprocity: The exchanging of privileges between countries, states or people.

Recognisance: A promise made to a court to do something.

Recourse: Remedies and rights under the law.

Rectify: To order the correction of an error.

Registrar: The principal administrative officer of a court.

Release: To give away, discharge, a legal right.

Remedy: The means by which the breach of a right or benefit is compensated, cured or prevented.

Remote: Too removed or indirect to allow a remedy.

Repeal: To cancel or take back.

Representative payee: An institution or a person who is designated to receive money on behalf of another person who is unable to handle such affairs.

Repudiate: To cancel or renounce.

Res ipsa loquitur: Latin meaning 'things speak for themselves'.

Rescind: Cancel, terminate or revoke.

Residuary estate: All property in the estate which is not specifically mentioned in a will.

Residue: That which remains, what is left.

Respondent: The person who is defending an appeal.

Respondent superior: Latin meaning 'let the master answer'.

Restitution: To restore something to its rightful owner, to restore a person to the position held before the breaking of a contract.

Restraining order: An order by the courts stopping someone from doing something.

Restrictive covenant: A usage restriction of land to protect property, neighbouring landholders or surrounding property values.

Resume: To compulsorily acquire.

Resumption order: To resume the use of private property by the public.

Retainer: Moneys paid to a solicitor to keep his or her services.

Reversion: The legal interest in property which a person keeps after transferring a part interest in the property to someone else.

Revoke: To take back or withdraw.

Right: A benefit or interest which is recognised by law.

Right of action: The right to bring legal proceedings.

Riot: A disturbance of the peace and terrorise others by three or more people.

Robbery: To take goods or money in the presence of the victim by using threats of violence or physical injury.

Glossary of Terms Index

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Z

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