Latin for Lawyers

REPOSSESS, REPOSSESSION

begins only when an injury or offense has occurred. Example of statute of repose : a statute limiting the time after filing of his plans during which an architect may be sued for negligence, regardless of the date of injury or harm to the claimant. REPOSSESS, REPOSSESSION [L. from re , plus possido , possidere / to take possession of, to occupy] To regain control, possession or custody of property, especially of real prop erty, after a default in payment of an obligation, such as the obligation to pay rent. To recover property or goods sold or financed in installments if an installment is not paid. REPRESENT [L. repraesentare / to bring back the memory of, to represent] To substitute for. To act in the place of; to fill the role of. To assume responsi bility for the affairs of another. A lawyer represents his client; an agent repre sents his principal; the N.L.R.B. conducts representation elections to determine whether a union represents a majority of the workers. In another sense, to represent means to state facts or opinions which are intended to influence the opinions or actions of others. REPRESENTATION [L. representare / to present again] A likeness or image. A statement made to influence conduct or thoughts. In the law of contracts, a representation is any act or statement of fact made to induce another either to perform some act or to refrain from performing it. In the law of torts, a false representation is a statement which is known by the maker to be false and which induces conduct or action by the party to whom the representation is made, to his detriment. Also, the act of serving in a leg islature or other body as the spokesmen for a group of persons, such as the voters in an election district. REPRESENTATIVE [L. repraesentare / to present] One who acts for another. An agent who is given authority to act for her prin cipal. One who is selected by a group of voters to represent and act for them in a legislative body; a member of the U.S. House of Representatives. Any one who assumes the administration of an estate. Anyone named in a class action lawsuit to act for the other members of his class. REPRIEVE [L. reprehendo , reprehendere / to seize, hold back, detain] Temporary relief from suffering or trouble. To give a temporary delay of pun ishment to a prisoner, e.g., a delay in sentence or incarceration. To put off the execution of a prisoner condemned to death pending judicial or administra tive review. The word suggests only a delay , not a permanent change or mod ification in sentence.

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