Joint And Several Liability Limits: The
doctrine of joint and several liability is a fairness
rule, developed over centuries to protect injured
consumers. It applies when more than one defendant is
found fully or substantially responsible for causing an
injury. For example, if one wrongdoer is insolvent or
cannot pay their share, the other fully-responsible
wrongdoers must pay the bill, to make sure the innocent
victim is fully compensated.
Judge: Government official with authority to
decide lawsuits brought before courts. Other judicial
officers in the U.S. courts system are Supreme Court
justices.
Judgment: The official decision of a court
finally determining the respective rights and claims of
the parties to a suit.
Judgment Non Obstante Veredicto: Known also as
a judgment notwithstanding the verdict. A decision by a
trial judge to rule in favor of a losing party even
though the jury's verdict was in favor of the other
side. Usually applied when the facts or law do not
support the jury's verdict.
Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a
court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction
exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility
for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which
the court has authority to decide cases.
Jurisprudence: The study of law and the
structure of the legal system.
Juror: A person who is on the jury.
Jury Charge: The judge's instructions to the
jurors on the law that applies in a case and definitions
of the relevant legal concepts. These instructions may
be complex and are often pivotal in a jury's
discussions.
Jury: Persons selected according to law and
sworn to inquire into and declare a verdict on matters
of fact.
Just Cause: A legitimate reason. Often used in
the employment context to refer to the reasons why
someone was fired.
