Latin for Lawyers

L ATIN FOR L AWYERS

REIMBURSE [L. re / again + im / in + bursa / purse] To pay back. To repay to an empoyee or agent money expended by her for the account of her employer or principal. The right of a surety to recover from the debtor any sums advanced by the surety in satisfying claims against the debtor. REJECT, REJECTION [L. re / again + iacto, iactare / to throw, fling] To cast off or repel. To refuse to accept, as to reject a delivery or an appoint ment. To deny, as to reject an appeal . Under the Uniform Commercial Code, a buyer of goods may reject the goods for defects or for non-conformity; rejection must be made within a reasonable time after delivery or tender and a reasonable opportunity to inspect. Rejection constitutes cancellation of the contract. RELATE, RELATED [L. re + latus / past participle of ferre , to carry back, refer] To give an account of. To tell or narrate. To have a close connection or com mon origin, as through birth or marriage. To be closely connected to. Related goods are products of one company which, though different, have some com mon mark or characteristic which stamps them as having the same origin. Related claims are claims originating from the same set of facts or circum stances, although based upon different principles of law; e.g., claims of patent infringement and of unfair competition arising from the same facts. Under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, related claims may be joined in one action. RELATION BACK [L. referre , relatus ] To apply or take effect retroactively. A legal fiction which deems an act to have been completed at an earlier date than the actual date. For example, a document released from escrow is deemed to have been delivered to the recipient on the date it was first deposited in escrow. An amended pleading is deemed to relate back to the date of the original pleading, provided it arises out of the same facts, acts, or conduct described in the original pleading. RELATOR [L. referre ] An informer. The informer in a qui tam action. A person who has sufficient standing to enable the state or a state official to bring an action in his name; in these cases, the title of the action will read ( State) ex rel. Rogers v. Barton . See QUI TAM; EX RELATIONE RELEASE [L. relaxo, relexare / to loosen, enlarge, relax] To set free from restraint or servitude. To discharge from obligation; relieve of a burden. To give up a claim in litigation in exchange for some benefit,

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