A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Z
Glossary of Legal Terms – R
Rape: The common law crime of forcing a female to have sexual intercourse against her will. In legal terms the meaning has been replaced by various statutory offences which forbid any forced unlawful sexual acts.
Ratify:
1. To consent or approve in retrospect.
2. To adopt.
Ratio decidendi: Literally meaning ‘the reasons for a decision’, the legally binding principle in a case.
Real property: Land and the all the things that go with it.
Rebut: To counter or disprove arguments or evidence presented by the opposing side in a trial. To defeat, repel, contradict, prove otherwise.
Receiver: A court appointed person to deal with the business affairs of an insolvent or bankrupt company.
Receiving stolen goods: To knowingly receive goods which have been obtained illegally.
Reciprocity: The exchanging of privileges between countries, states or people.
Recognisance: A promise made to a court to do something.
Recourse: Remedies and rights under the law.
Rectify: To order the correction of an error.
Registrar: The principal administrative officer of a court.
Release: To give away, discharge, a legal right.
Remedy: The means by which the breach of a right or benefit is compensated, cured or prevented.
Remote: Too removed or indirect to allow a remedy.
Repeal: To cancel or take back.
Representative payee: An institution or a person who is designated to receive money on behalf of another person who is unable to handle such affairs.
Repudiate: To cancel or renounce.
Res ipsa loquitur: Latin meaning ‘things speak for themselves’.
Rescind: Cancel, terminate or revoke.
Residuary estate: All property in the estate which is not specifically mentioned in a will.
Residue: That which remains, what is left.
Respondent: The person who is defending an appeal.
Respondent superior: Latin meaning ‘let the master answer’.
Restitution: To restore something to its rightful owner, to restore a person to the position held before the breaking of a contract.
Restraining order: An order by the courts stopping someone from doing something.
Restrictive covenant: A usage restriction of land to protect property, neighbouring landholders or surrounding property values.
Resume: To compulsorily acquire.
Resumption order: To resume the use of private property by the public.
Retainer: Moneys paid to a solicitor to keep his or her services.
Reversion: The legal interest in property which a person keeps after transferring a part interest in the property to someone else.
Revoke: To take back or withdraw.
Right: A benefit or interest which is recognised by law.
Right of action: The right to bring legal proceedings.
Riot: A disturbance of the peace and terrorise others by three or more people.
Robbery: To take goods or money in the presence of the victim by using threats of violence or physical injury.
