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A
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H I
J
K L M
N O
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T U
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X Y Z #
Click on the first letter of the
word from the list above to go to the appropriate section of the glossary.
- J -
Joint and Several
Liability: Refers to a plaintiff's ability to
sue one or more defendants separately or all
together at his or her option. Permits a group of
defendants to be held both individually and
collectively liable for all damages suffered by the
plaintiff. The plaintiff can recover the entire
amount of damages from one defendant, even if all of
the defendants are liable.
For incidents arising
after August 17, 2002: Due to a new Pennsylvania
law, joint and several liability has been changed so
that a plaintiff may no longer be able to collect
all his damages from one defendant, even if more
than one defendant is found responsible. A
percentage of fault will be assessed against each
defendant and, unless a defendant's negligence is
60% or greater, an at fault defendant will be
responsible for only its percentage of fault.
Joint Tenancy:
A form of legal co-ownership of property (also known
as survivorship). At the death of one co-owner, the
surviving co-owner becomes sole owner of the
property. Tenancy by the entirety is a special form
of joint tenancy between a husband and wife.
Judge:
Workers' compensation judges are appointed and are
representatives of the Pennsylvania Department of
Labor and Industry. They conduct hearings in an
administrative proceeding for workers' compensation
cases.
Judgment:
Official decision of a court resolving the issues in
a legal action and stating the rights and
obligations of the parties. See also decree, order.
Judgment
Notwithstanding the Verdict (n.o.v.): An order
by the trial judge entering a judgment in a manner
contradictory to the jury’s verdict. This is
granted only when the verdict is unreasonable and
unsupportable.
Judicial:
Pertaining to a judge.
Judicial Notice:
The procedure by which a judge recognizes the
existence of the truth of a certain fact having
bearing on the case without the production of
evidence because such fact is established by common
notoriety. For example, if the accident happened on
Thanksgiving, the judge can take judicial notice
that the accident happened on a Thursday.
Judicial Review:
The authority of a court to review the official
actions of other branches of government. Also, the
authority to declare unconstitutional the actions of
other branches.
Jurisdiction:
The legal right by which judges exercise their
authority.
Jurisprudence:
The study of law and the structure of the legal
system.
Jury: Persons
selected according to law and sworn to inquire into
and declare a verdict on matters of fact. A petit
jury is an ordinary or trial jury, composed of six
to 12 persons, which hears either civil or criminal
cases.
Jury Commissioner:
The court officer responsible for choosing the panel
of persons to serve as potential jurors for a
particular court term.
Justiciable:
Issues and claims capable of being properly examined
in court.
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