Latin for Lawyers

L ATIN FOR L AWYERS

COLORABLE [L. color, coloris / color, tint, shade] Apparently true or real. Giving the impression of truth or validity. A color able right is a right which has enough weight to be asserted in a pleading and proved to the judge or jury. COLORE OFFICII [L. the color of office] The appearance of authority emanating from possession of a title or office; often used to convey the sense that some action by a person in authority may appear proper but is really not, or that the person claiming to hold an office or the authority of that office does not in fact do so. COMBUSTIO DOMORUM [L. comburere / to burn + domus / a house, a home] The burning of a house or residence; i.e., arson. COMITATUS [L. a retinue or following] In England, an area governed by a sheriff; a county or shire. COMITY [L. comitas / kindness, courtesy] The practice by which one court defers to the jurisdiction of another. The decision to defer is not compelled by any rule of law but is generally based upon the sense that one court should not meddle in the determinations of another which has already taken jurisdiction of a matter or which is better able to dispose of it. Comity also influences an American court to honor the judgment or decree of another country. The Comity Clause of the U. S. Con stitution requires each state to accord the same privileges and immunities to the citizens of other states as to its own (Article IV, Para. 2). COMITY INTER GENTES Comity between peoples and nations. COMMERCE [L. commercium / trade, commerce (from commercor, commer cari / to buy together)] The exchange of ideas, thoughts and opinions. Also, the exchange of goods and commodities through all the processes relating to product growth, pro duction, advertising, promotion, transportation, sale and purchase. All forms of business. The Commerce Clause , contained in Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution, is the clause which gives Congress the power to regulate com

merce between the states and with foreign countries. COMMERCIAL [L. commercium / trade, commerce]

Relating or pertaining to commerce in the business sense. Characterized by acceptance in the general market, rather than in the luxury market. Designed for the largest possible consumption. Concerning skills, talents and qualities

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