LEGAL TERMS STARTING WITH "D"

1. Dactylography - The scientific study of fingerprints as a method of identification.
2. Damage - A sum of money which the Court orders the defendant to pay to the plaintiff as compensation for breach of contract or tort.
3. Damnify - To cause loss, to cause hurt or injury.
4. Death - The ending of life, the cessation of vital functions and signs.
5. Debenture - A document or certificate signed by the officer of a corporation acknowledging indebtedness for money lent and guaranteeing repayment with interest.
6. Debtor -One who owes an obligation to another especially an obligation to pay money.
7. Deceit - The act of intentionally giving a false impression.
8. Decency-The state of being proper, as in speech or dress.
9. Decision- Judicial determination after consideration of the facts and the law.
10. Decree - A judgement delivered by a court. It is a formal expression of an adjudication which conclusively determines the rights of the parties.
11. Deed - A written statement which is signed, sealed and delivered.
12. Deemed - To be treated as.
13. Defamation - Publication of a false or derogatory statement regarding a person, which lowers his reputation in the eyes of members of society.
14. Defend - To deny, contest or oppose.
15. Defendant - A person against whom any court proceeding is brought for trial.
16. Denial - The Court’s refusal to grant a request presented in a motion or petition.
17. Deponent - A person who makes an affidavit or opposition.
18. Deposition - A statement on oath of a witness in a judicial proceeding.
19. Derogation - The partial repeal or abrogation of a law by a later act that limits its scope or impairs its utility and force.
20. Desertion - Abandonment by one spouse of the other.
21. Determination - A final decision by a Court or administrative agency.
22. Deterrent - Something that impedes, something that prevents.
23. Devise - A gift of land in a will.
24. Discharge -The dismissal of a case.
25. Discrimination - Effect of a law or established practice that confers privileges on a certain class or that denies privileges to a certain class.
26. Distress - The seizing of personal movable property from a debtor in satisfaction of the debt.
27. Domicile - A place where a person has his permanent home with intention to return, or a place where a person is ordinarily residing.
28. Dominion - A self-governing autonomous state with the power or right of governing with subject to sovereignty.
29. Donee - One to whom a gift is made.
30. Donor - One Who makes a gift.
31. Draft - A rough sketch of a writing or document, from which the final or fair copy is made.
32. Droit - A legal right or claim.
33. Duress - Act done under threat or fear of another.
34. Dysnomy - Bad laws; the enactment of bad legislation.