Lawyer Terms & Vocab. 5

Question 1

What is 'habeas corpus'?

Accepted Answer

A writ requiring a person in custody to be brought before a court to determine the lawfulness of detention

Answer

Habeas corpus is a fundamental writ protecting against unlawful imprisonment by requiring courts to examine the legal basis for detention.

Question 2

What does 'nunc pro tunc' mean?

Accepted Answer

Now for then — a court order given retroactive effect to correct a prior omission

Answer

A nunc pro tunc order corrects the record to reflect what should have been done at an earlier date, relating the action back to that time.

Question 3

What is 'standing' in federal court litigation?

Accepted Answer

A party's right to bring suit, requiring injury-in-fact, causation, and redressability

Answer

Article III standing requires a plaintiff to show a concrete injury caused by the defendant that a favorable court decision can redress.

Question 4

What is 'indemnification' in contract law?

Accepted Answer

An obligation by one party to compensate another for specified losses or liabilities

Answer

An indemnification clause shifts the financial burden of certain claims or losses from one contracting party to another.

Question 5

What does 'sua sponte' mean?

Accepted Answer

Of its own accord — when a court acts on its own initiative without a motion from a party

Answer

A court acts sua sponte when it raises an issue or takes action without being asked by either party.

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