Latin for Lawyers

L ATIN FOR L AWYERS

NATURALIZATION [L. naturalis / produced through birth, natural] The process by which one acquires the citzenship of a country other than the country of his birth. In the U.S., naturalization is a multi-step process involv ing lawful residence for five years, proof of good character and the ability to read and write English, a court hearing, and an oath of loyalty to the U.S. Constitution. NATURAL LAW See JUS NATURALE; LEX NATURALE NATURAL OBJECT In the law of intestacy, the person(s) most likely to be selected by the testator as his beneficiaries, usually his heirs or next of kin. The laws governing intes tacy are designed to recognize the natural objects of a decedent's wishes. NATURAL PERSON A human being as opposed to an artificial person created and recognized by the law, such as a corporation. NATURAL RIGHT Those rights which are inherent to society and are possessed by all individu als equally, without intervention, control or contribution by any government. The American founding fathers declared life, liberty and the pursuit of happi ness to be among man's natural rights . N.B. The abbreviation for nota bene, note carefully, and for nulla bona , without goods or possessions. See NOTA BENE; NULLA BONA NAVIGATE, NAVIGABLE [L. navigare / to sail, voyage, navigate] To steer a course through the air, over water or overland. To control or man age movement through or over obstacles. To control the operation of an air plane, boat, truck, etc. Navigable airspace is that part of the air above the ground which is dedicated to the flight of airplanes. The airspace of one nation is considered inviolable by the planes of another without license or permission. A navigable waterway is a body of water capable of carrying boats and ships in the customary mode of water travel for the ordinary pur poses of access and commerce. NECESSARIES [L. necessitas, necessarius / necessary, unavoidable] In law, those things which are absolutely required for the maintenance of life itself. They include food, drink, clothing and housing of some sort. In the U.S. today, there is a great deal of debate over the extent to which govern-

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