Face value

In shares of stock, the original cost of the stock which is shown on the certificate, or "par value."


An actual thing, occurance or happening, which must be proved at trial by presentation of evidence and which is evaluated by the finder of fact.

Fact finder (finder of fact)



A) Something that contributes to the result. B) A salesman who sells in his/her own name on behalf of others, in liue of commission for services.

Failure of consideration

No delivery of goods or services when promised in a contract. When goods a party had bargained for have become damaged or worthless, failure of consideration (to deliver promised goods) makes the expectant recipient justified to withhold payment, demand performance or take legal action.

Failure of issue

That situation in which someone dies leaving no children or other direct descendants.

Fair comment

A statement of opinion (no matter how ludicrous) which is based on facts which are correctly stated and which does not allege dishonorable motives on the part of the target of the comment.

Fair market value

The amount for which property would be sold on the open market if put up for sale. This is distinguished from "replacement value," which is the cost of duplicating the property. Real estate appraisers will use "comparable" sales of similar property in the area to determine market value, adding or deducting amounts based on differences in quality and size of the property.

Fair use


False arrest


False imprisonment

Depriving someone of freedom of movement by holding a person in a confined space or by physical restraint including being locked in a car, driven without opportunity to get out, being tied to a chair or locked in a closet. It may be the follow-up to a false arrest (holding someone in the office of a department store, for example), but more often it resembles a kidnapping with no belief or claim of a legal right to hold the person. Therefore, false imprisonment is often a crime and if proved is almost always the basis of a lawsuit for damages.

False pretenses

The crime of knowingly making untrue statements for the purpose of taking money or property fraudulently. This can range from claiming zircons are diamonds and turning back the odometer on a car, to falsely stating that a mine has been producing gold when it has not. It is one form of theft.


A) Husband, wife and children. B) All blood relatives. C) All who live in the same house including servants and relatives, with some person or persons directing this economic and social unit.

Family purpose doctrine

A rule of law that the registered owner of an automobile is responsible for damages to anyone injured when the auto is driven by a member of the family with or without the owner's permission. The theory of this liability is that the vehicle is owned for family purposes.


A) Charge which is levied for services B) Absolute title in land. The word "fee" can be modified to show that the title was "conditional" on some occurrence or could be terminated ("determinable") upon a future event.

Fee simple


Fee tail

An old feudal expression for a title to real property which can only be passed to one's heirs "of his body" or certain heirs who are blood relatives. If the blood line ran out (no children) then the title would revert to the descendants of the lord who originally gave the land to the title-holding family. Thus, it could not be transferred to anyone outside the family. The intention was to keep lands within a family line and not subdivided.






A crime sufficiently serious to be punishable by death or a term in prison, as distinguished from a misdemeanor which is only punishable by confinement to local jail and/or a fine.

Felony murder doctrine


Fictitious defendants




Fiduciary relationship


Fighting words

Words intentionally directed toward another person which are so nasty and full of malice as to cause the hearer to suffer emotional distress or incite him/her to immediately retaliate physically. While such words are not an excuse or defense for a retaliatory assault and battery, if they are threatening they can form the basis for a lawsuit for assault.


A) To submit with the clerk of the Court a written complaint or petition which is the opening step in a lawsuit and subsequent documents, including an answer, demurrer, motions, petitions and orders. All of these are placed in a case file which has a specific number assigned to it which must be stated on every document. The term is used: "When are you going to file the complaint," B) The master folder of a lawsuit which kept by the clerk of the Court, including all legal pleadings (documents) filed by both sides. Each document in the file must have a stamp showing the date it was received and the name of the clerk who received it. Any document which is filed must be served on the opposing attorney, usually by mail, except that the first paper filed (summons complaint, petition, motion) must be served on all defendants personally (hand delivered by a process server). C) The record which an attorney keeps on a case, containing all papers submitted with the clerk, as well as all correspondence and notes on the case.

Final decree

A decree which is decreed finally or final judgment

Final judgment

The written determination of a lawsuit by the judge who presided at trial (or heard a successful motion to dismiss or a stipulation for judgment), which makes rulings on all issues and completes the case unless it is appealed to a higher court. It is also called a final decree or final decision

Final settlement



The actual determination of a factual question vital to a decision in a case by jury or judge sitting without a jury after a trial of a lawsuit, often referred to as findings of fact. A finding of fact is distinguished from a conclusion of law which is determined by the judge as the sole legal expert. Findings of fact and conclusions of law, need not be made if waived or not requested by the trial attorneys, leaving just the bare judgment in the case.

Findings of fact

Refer also: finding

Firm offer

In contract law, an offer which states that it may not be withdrawn, revoked or amended for a specific period of time. If the offer is accepted without a change during that period, there is a firm, enforceable contract.

First degree murder

It is generally a killing which is deliberate and premeditated (planned, after lying in wait, by poison or as part of a scheme), in conjunction with felonies such as rape, burglary, or involving multiple deaths, the killing of certain types of people (such as a child, a police officer, a prison guard, a fellow prisoner), or certain weapons, particularly a gun. It is distinguished from second degree murder in which premeditation is usually absent, and from manslaughter, which lacks premeditation and suggests that at most there was intent to harm rather than to kill.

First impression



A piece of equipment which has been attached to real estate in such a way as to be part of the premises and its removal would do harm to the building or land. Thus, a fixture is transformed from a movable asset to an integral part of the real property. Essentially a question of fact, it often arises when a tenant has installed a lighting fixture, a heater, window box or other item which is bolted, nailed, screwed or wired into the wall, ceiling or floor. Trade fixtures are those which a merchant would normally use to operate the business and display goods and may be removed at the merchant's expense for any necessary repair.


Running away or hiding by a person officially accused of a crime with the apparent intent of avoiding arrest or prosecution.

Floating easement

An easement (a right to use another's property for a particular purpose) which allows access and/or egress but does not spell out the exact dimensions and location of the easement.


It is abbreviation for free on board, which means shipped to a specific place without cost.

For value received



An intentional delay in collecting a debt or demanding performance on a contract, usually for a specific period of time. Forbearance is often consideration for a promise by the debtor to pay an added amount.

Forced sale

A sale of goods which is seized by the police to satisfy (pay) a judgment.

Forcible entry

The crime of taking possession of a house or other structure or land by the use of physical force or serious threats against the occupants. This can include breaking windows or doors or using terror to gain entry, as well as forcing the occupants out by threat or violence after having come in peacefully.



Foreclosure sale

The actual forced sale of real property at a public auction after foreclosure on that property as security under a mortgage or deed of trust for a loan that is substantially delinquent. The lender who has not been paid may bid for the property, using his/her/its own unpaid note toward payment, which can result in a bargain purchase.


From Latin forensis for "belonging to the forum," ancient Rome's site for public debate and currently meaning pertaining to the Courts. Thus, forensic testimony or forensic medicine are used to assist the court or the attorneys in legal matters, including trials.

Forensic medicine

Research, reports and testimony in Court by experts in medical science to assist in determining a legal question. Cause of death is a common issue determined by pathologists who may be coroners or medical examiners.

Forensic testimony

Any testimony of expert scientific, engineering, economic or other specialized nature which is used to assist the Court and the lawyers in a suit or prosecution.


Public speaking or argumentation.


Reasonable anticipation of the possible results of an action, such as what may happen if one is negligent or consequential damages resulting from breach of a contract.

Foreseeable risk

A danger which a reasonable person should anticipate as the result from his/her actions. Foreseeable risk is a common affirmative defense put up as a response by defendants in lawsuits for negligence. A mother is severely injured while accompanying her child on a roller coaster when the car jumps the track and comes loose. While there is potential risk, she had the right to anticipate that the roller coaster was properly maintained and did not assume the risk that it would come apart. Signs that warn "use at your own risk" do not bar lawsuits for risks that are not foreseeable.


To lose property or rights involuntarily as a penalty for violation of law. Example: the government can take automobiles or houses which are used for illegal drug trafficking or manufacture.


Loss of property due to a violation of law.


n. a person who commits the crime of forgery, by making false documents or signatures.


A) A document or signature which is falsely created or altered. B) The crime of creating a false document, altering a document, or writing a false signature for the illegal benefit of the person making the forgery. This includes improperly filling in a blank document, like an automobile purchase contract, over a buyer's signature, with the terms different from those agreed. It does not include such innocent representation as a staff member autographing photos of politicians or movie stars. While similar to forgery, counterfeiting refers to the creation of phoney money, stock certificates or bonds which are negotiable for cash.


Sexual intercourse between a man and woman who are not married to each other. This usage comes from Latin fornicari, meaning vaulted, which became the nickname for brothel, because prostitutes operated in a vaulted underground cavern in Rome. Fornication is still a misdemeanor, as is adultery (sexual intercourse by a married person with someone not his/her spouse), but is virtually never prosecuted.


A term which is found in contracts, court orders and statutes, meaning as soon as it can be reasonably done. It implies immediacy, with no excuses for delay.


A Court which has jurisdiction (pecuniary, territorial of subject matter jurisdiction) to hold a trial of a particular lawsuit or petition.

Forum non conveniens

(for-uhm nahn cahn-vee-nee-ehns) In Latin for a forum which is not convenient. This doctrine is employed when the Court chosen by the plaintiff (the party suing) is inconvenient for witnesses or poses an undue hardship on the defendants, who must petition the court for an order transferring the case to a more convenient court.

Foster child

A child which has no parental support and protection, placed with a person or family to be cared for, usually by local welfare services or by court order. The foster parent(s) do not have custody, nor is there an adoption, but they are expected to treat the foster child as they would their own in regard to food, housing, clothing and education. Most foster parents are paid by the local government or a state agency.

Four corners of an instrument

The term is used for studying an entire document to understand its meaning, without reference to anything outside of the document ("extrinsic evidence"), such as the circumstances surrounding its writing or the history of the party signing it. If possible a document should be construed based on what lies within its four corners, unless such examination cannot solve an ambiguity in its language.


A) To grant (for a periodic fee or share of profits) the right to operate a business or sell goods or services under a brand or chain name. B) The right one has to operate a store or sell goods or services under a franchise agreement. C) A right which is granted by the government to a person or corporation, such as a taxi permit, bus route, an airline's use of a public airport, business license or corporate existence. D) The right to vote in a public election.

Franchise tax

A state tax on companies, corporations or businesses.



Fraud in the inducement


Fraudulent conveyance


Free and clear

The ownership of real property upon which there is no encumbrance, lien, recorded judgment or the right of anyone to make a claim against the property. The term is used in contracts for sale of real property and deeds, to state that the title has no claim against it.

Free on board (fob)

Purchased goods which is shipped without transportation charge to a specific place.



Fresh pursuit


Friendly suit

A lawsuit which is filed in order to obtain a Court order when the parties to the suit agree on the expected outcome. Such a legal action will be dismissed if it is an attempt to get an advisory opinion, is collusive (deceitfully planned) to get a judgment to set a legal precedent or where there is no real controversy. However, such suits are allowed in situations in which the statutes require a court ruling to achieve a "reasonable result," such as reforming (correcting) a trust or agreement in which there was an error.




A legal move in a lawsuit clearly intended merely to delay, harass, or embarrass the opposition. Frivolous acts can include filing the lawsuit itself, a baseless motion for a legal ruling, an answer of a defendant to a complaint which does not deny, contest, prove or controvert anything, or an appeal which contains not a single arguable basis (by any stretch of the imagination) for the appeal. A frivolous lawsuit, motion or appeal can result in a successful claim by the other party for payment by the frivolous suer of their attorneys' fees for defending the case. Judges are reluctant to find an action frivolous, based on the desire not to discourage people from using the courts to resolve disputes.

Fruit of the poisonous tree

In criminal law, the doctrine that evidence which is discovered due to information found through illegal search or other unconstitutional means (such as a forced confession) may not be introduced by a prosecutor. The theory is that the tree (original illegal evidence) is poisoned and thus taints what grows from it.

Frustration of purpose

Sometimes it is called commercial frustration. Arising of unexpected events which make a contract impossible to be performed, entitling the frustrated party to rescind the contract without paying damages.

Fugitive from justice

A person which is convicted or accused of a crime who hides from law enforcement.

Full disclosure

The need in business transactions to tell the "whole truth" about any matter which the other party should know in deciding to buy or contract.

Fungible things

Goods which are interchangeable, often sold or delivered in bulk, since any one of them is as good as another. Grain or gravel are fungibles, as are securities which are identical.

Future interest

A right to receive either real property or personal property in some time in the future, either upon a particular date or upon the occurrence of an event.