Browse full definitions for every AF term in the Amicus glossary.
/əˈfekt/
The new legislation will affect contract enforcement across the state.
The witness's affect suggested nervousness during testimony.
In legal drafting, distinguish carefully between "affect" (to influence) and "effect" (the result).
/ˈæfɛktɪd ˈpɑrti/
The affected party must be notified of the changes to the contract.
The court considered the claims of the affected party before issuing a ruling.
This term is used broadly in various legal contexts to identify individuals or entities with a direct stake in the outcome. Precise identification aids in proper notification and participation rights.
/əˈfɛkʃən/
The court considered the affection between the guardian and the child in awarding custody.
In legal contexts, affection often informs relational assessments but lacks a precise statutory definition; it is usually evidenced by conduct or circumstances surrounding parties.
/ˈæfɛktɪv steɪt/
The defendant's affective state was considered when determining criminal responsibility.
In legal drafting, clearly linking affective state to mens rea or mental condition clarifies its relevance in intent and culpability assessments.
/ˈæfiənt/
The affiant signed the affidavit before a notary public.
The term specifically designates the declarant of an affidavit; precision in identifying the affiant is crucial to ensure the affidavit’s evidentiary reliability.
/ˌæfɪˈdeɪvɪt/
The witness submitted an affidavit to support her testimony.
An affidavit is distinct from oral testimony in that it is a written and sworn document, often used for evidence when a witness cannot appear in person.
/ˌæfɪˈdeɪvɪt əv ˈæbsəns/
The witness submitted an affidavit of absence to confirm he was not present at the scene.
Used primarily to establish non-presence in legal contexts; accuracy and explicit detail of dates and locations are essential for evidentiary reliability.
The court accepted the affidavit of presence as proof that the defendant was at the scene.
An affidavit of presence specifically serves to confirm presence rather than other facts; ensure clarity about the time and place in drafting.
/ˌæfɪˈdeɪvɪt ʌv ˈsɜːrvɪs/
The court required an affidavit of service to prove the defendant was notified.
An affidavit of service must clearly state the date, time, and manner of service, as courts rely on it to verify proper notice.
/ˌæfɪˈdeɪvɪt əv səˈpɔrt/
The petitioner submitted an affidavit of support to demonstrate financial responsibility for the immigrant.
Commonly required in U.S. immigration to ensure immigrants do not become public charges; must meet specific financial criteria.
/əˈfɪliˌeɪt/
The parent company owns several affiliates worldwide.
The nonprofit decided to affiliate with a national charity to expand its reach.
In legal contexts, 'affiliate' often delineates control or association without full ownership, distinguishing it from 'subsidiary'. Precise definitions may vary by jurisdiction or contract.
/ˈæfɪliˌeɪt əˈgriːmənt/
The company signed an affiliate agreement to boost its product distribution through partners.
Such agreements typically clarify duties, commission structures, and termination provisions to delineate affiliate relationships clearly.
/ˈæfɪliˌeɪt loʊn/
The parent company extended an affiliate loan to its subsidiary to fund expansion.
Affiliate loans often require careful documentation to comply with transfer pricing and regulatory requirements, especially in cross-border contexts.
/ˈæfɪliˌeɪt ˈsteɪtəs/
The company gained affiliate status with the multinational corporation, affecting its compliance obligations.
Affiliate status often determines the application of specific regulatory or tax rules and is important in contract drafting to define rights and obligations among connected entities.
/əˈfɪlieɪtɪd ˈpɜːrsən/
The affiliated person was required to disclose all financial interests related to the corporation.
The term 'affiliated person' is commonly defined in statutes and regulations to specify entities or individuals whose actions or relationships may implicate compliance issues, especially in securities, corporate, and tax law contexts.
/əˌfɪliˈeɪʃən/
The corporation disclosed its affiliation with the foreign parent company in the compliance report.
The court examined the affiliation between the two companies to determine liability.
Affiliation often implies a formal connection affecting legal rights or duties; clarity in defining the nature of affiliation in contracts or statutes is essential to avoid ambiguity.
/əˌfɪliˈeɪʃən əˈɡriːmənt/
The university signed an affiliation agreement with the local hospital to facilitate student internships.
Often used in contexts where one party permits the other to perform certain functions or share resources under defined conditions; clarity in scope and termination clauses is critical.
/əˈfɪnɪti/
The court recognized the defendant's affinity to the deceased as a basis for inheritance rights.
The judge found an affinity between the statutes of two jurisdictions to resolve the case.
In legal contexts, affinity primarily denotes relationships established through marriage, distinguishing it from consanguinity which refers to blood relations. Drafting should clarify this to avoid conflating the two.
/əˈfɜrm/
The appellate court affirmed the lower court's ruling.
The witness affirmed the truthfulness of her testimony.
In appellate contexts, affirming a decision means it is upheld; this is distinct from affirming statements under oath, which involve declaration rather than judicial review.
/æfɚˈmeɪʃən/
The witness chose to make an affirmation rather than swear an oath in court.
The appellate court's affirmation of the lower court’s ruling ended the case.
In legal use, an affirmation serves as an alternative to an oath for those who object to swearing religiously; also used to denote approval of a decision on appeal.
/əˈfɜːrmətɪv/
The defendant gave an affirmative answer to the allegations.
The company adopted affirmative action policies to promote workplace diversity.
In legal drafting, 'affirmative' is commonly used to indicate a positive assertion or support, especially in pleadings, and to describe policies aimed at correcting discrimination.
/ˌæfəˈrmatɪv ˈækʃən/
The university's affirmative action policy increased the enrollment of underrepresented minorities.
Affirmative action programs must balance promoting diversity with avoiding unlawful discrimination; legal scrutiny varies by jurisdiction and context.
/ˌæfɚˈmɪtɪv ˈkʌvənənt/
The lease included an affirmative covenant requiring the tenant to maintain the garden.
Affirmative covenants compel action or maintenance rather than prohibiting conduct, distinguishing them from negative or restrictive covenants.
/əˈfɜːrmətɪv dɪˈfɛns/
The defendant raised an affirmative defense of self-defense in the assault case.
An affirmative defense requires the defendant to affirmatively prove the defense, distinguishing it from mere denials.
/əˈfɜːrmətɪv ˈduːti/
The fiduciary owes an affirmative duty to act in the best interest of the beneficiary.
The seller has an affirmative duty to disclose latent defects in the property.
Affirmative duties contrast with duties of non-interference; drafters should clearly distinguish between obligations to act and mere prohibitions.
/ˈæfɪks/
The notary's affix on the contract confirmed its legitimacy.
The parties affixed their signatures to the agreement.
In legal contexts, 'affix' often pertains to formally placing seals or signatures on documents, signifying authentication or approval.
/ˈæfɪks siːl/
The notary affixed her seal to the contract to validate the witness signatures.
In legal drafting, specifying the method and purpose of affixing the seal can clarify its evidentiary effect.
/əˌfɔːrdəˈbɪləti əˈsɛsmənt/
The court conducted an affordability assessment before approving the repayment plan.
The affordability assessment ensured that loan repayments would not cause undue financial hardship.
Affordability assessments are critical in contexts such as loan approvals, bankruptcy proceedings, and regulatory compliance to ensure fairness and prevent financial overextension.
/əˈfɔːrdəbl ˈækses/
The legislation aims to ensure affordable access to essential medications for all citizens.
Ensure clarity whether referring to cost-related availability versus legal entitlement to access in drafting.
/əˈfɔːrdəbl kɛr ækt/
The Affordable Care Act introduced protections for people with pre-existing conditions.
Commonly abbreviated as ACA; important to distinguish from other health laws when referencing.
/əˈfɔːrdəbl ˈhaʊzɪŋ/
The city implemented new policies to increase affordable housing availability for its residents.
Legal definitions of affordable housing may vary by jurisdiction and often depend on income thresholds and price limits set by statute or regulation.
/ˈæfreɪ/
The defendants were charged with affray after the altercation in the town square.
Affray requires the violence to be in a public place and to disturb public order, distinguishing it from private assaults.
/əˈfrʌnt/
The plaintiff claimed the defendant’s insult was a deliberate affront to her reputation.
In legal contexts, 'affront' often underpins claims related to personal dignity and may support tort actions for intentional infliction of emotional harm.
/əˈfɔːrmɛnʃənd/
The aforementioned contract shall be binding upon both parties.
Commonly used in legal drafting to avoid repetition by explicitly referencing previously stated facts, terms, or provisions.
/əˈfɔːrθɔːt/
The defendant was convicted of murder with malice aforethought.
In criminal law, 'aforethought' signifies the mental state of planning or intending a crime beforehand, critical in distinguishing degrees of culpability.
/ˈæftər/
The contract takes effect after the signing date.
The court ruled after the hearing had ended.
After the defendant pleaded guilty, sentencing was scheduled.
In legal drafting, 'after' often specifies temporal relationships critical to conditions, performance, and deadlines; clarity in its use avoids ambiguity in contractual obligations.
/ˈæftər ɪˈvɛnt/
The insurer only covers losses that happen after event commencement.
The warranty becomes void if damages occur after event completion.
Used primarily in contracts to specify timing of obligations or conditions relative to an identifiable event.
