Latin for Lawyers

L ATIN FOR L AWYERS

of the action comes from the same state as any party on the other side of the action. In all diversity cases, the amount in controversy must exceed an amount fixed by Congress from time to time. DIVERT [L. divertere / to turn around; to turn in opposite directions; to differ] To move from one course to another; to change the course or path of. To change the direction or purpose of. To distract. To misuse funds or assets intended for one purpose and apply them to another. Also, to entertain or give pleasure to. DIVEST [L. dis + vestio, vestire / to dress, clothe] To deprive a person of property or possessions. To remove the clothing or garments of. To strip away. DIVESTITURE [L. di(s) + vestis / dress, cloth] To unclothe, to denude.The act of disposing of assets, such as stock or prop erty, in response to an order by an agency or court in an anti-trust action. The order requiring such a disposition. Also, the voluntary act of a corporation or The termination or cutting off of an interest in property before its anticipated or scheduled end. An interest in property which has vested (become absolute or perfected), may be subject to divestment under stated conditions. DIVIDEND [L. dividere / to separate into parts] A part or share in an asset which is divided and distributed among several recipients. A gain or profit. The distribution of pro-rata portions of current earnings or of earned surplus to shareholders of a corporation. A dividend may be paid in cash or by the issuance of stock. Also, a payment made to general creditors in a bankruptcy proceeding. See EX DIVIDEND DOCUMENT [L. doceo, docere / to teach, instruct] noun: A writing or instrument containing data or information or recording a transaction or event, e.g., a contract or deed. Any item having physical form which may be used as evidence. Under the best evidence rule, a document is the physical embodiment of any information relevant to the trier of fact, e.g., a letter or medical report. An official paper establishing a right or privilege, e.g., a driver's license, passport or Army discharge. verb: To record in writ ing; to create a record of. To prove by reference to data or other supportive information. To issue, or furnish with, a document. business in selling off a part of its business or assets. DIVESTMENT [L. di(s)vestire / to unclothe, denude]

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