Latin for Lawyers

CURATOR

CURATOR [L. cura / care, concern] A person responsible for the care or management of a designated person or thing. A temporary guardian or conservator appointed by the court to care for the assets or person of an incompetent or an infant. Also, a person charged with the care or administration of a library, museum or zoo. CURE, CURATIVE [L. curo, curare / to care for, pay attention to; to cure] To restore to good health. To rectify or improve. To free from harm or injury. To eliminate an error or correct a mistake, as when the decision of an appel late court cures an error by a lower court. Also, to restore to compliance or eliminate a defect, as when a breach under a contract is cured by subsequent performance. In bankruptcy, to negate a default by the debtor by restoring him to his position before the bankruptcy filing. A curative act is an act which eliminates a defect, failure or shortcoming, as when a party to a con tract takes steps to cure a breach. CURIA [L. A division of Roman leaders. The meeting place of the Roman Sen ate] A district, ward; meeting place; court. A court of justice. CURIA ADVISARI VULT Literally, the court wants to look at the matter in more detail; the court wishes to take the matter under advisement. Used to indicate that a judge has reserved decision at the close of a hearing or argument. (Abbreviation: cur. adv. vult or c.a.v .) CURIA MAGNA The Great Court. Used to describe the English Parliament. CURIA REGIS The King’s court. CURRENT [L. curro, currere / to run, rush, hasten] The present time. Happening or elapsing at the moment. Prevalent; existing. Also, the flow of a stream or of an electric charge. A current asset is either cash or another asset which can be readily converted to cash, such as bank accounts, accounts or notes receivable, saleable inventory, etc. CURTILAGE [L. cohors / yard or enclosure] The land or yard around a house, sometimes defined by a fence or other enclosure, together with those buildings thereon which are necessary for hab itation and use of the house. The rules governing searches and seizures permit the police with a valid warrant to include in their search those structures and outbuildings which are within the curtilage of a residence.

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