Latin for Lawyers

L ATIN FOR L AWYERS

Constitution, the several charges will be consolidated by the court and tried as one. MUNICIPAL [L. municipium / a town in the Roman empire occupied by Roman citizens] Relating to an identifiable community of persons, especially a town or vil lage. A local governmental unit. Also, the affairs of a local governmental unit distinguished from those of other units. MUTUAL [L. mutuus / having interchangeable interests; reciprocal] Belonging to two or more persons with similar or interchangeable interests. Common to two or more parties. Shared for a common purpose, as in “parent and school have a mutual interest in educating schoolchildren.” Also, a form of insurance company the ownership of which resides in and is shared by the policyholders. A mutual mistake is a mistake in a contract which is commit ted equally and shared by all the parties. Mutual wills are separate wills made by two parties containing reciprocal provisions. A mutual savings bank is a bank owned by its depositors. MUTUALITY [L. mutuus / reciprocal] Reciprocity. Equivalence of obligation or performance. Mutuality of contract is the doctrine which requires reciprocity of obligation or performance by both parties to the contract. MUTUUM [L. mutuus / reciprocal] At common law, a transaction for the loan, consumption and repayment-in kind of consumable goods. For example, a farmer might give his produce to a consumer, in return for the delivery of like produce at a later date.

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