wex definitions

Definition

1) A proceeding conducted by an administrative or executive official that is similar to a court proceeding, e.g. a hearing. A court may review a decision arising from a quasi-judicial proceeding.

2) A judicial act performed by an official who is either not a judge or not acting in his or her capacity as a judge. 

Definition

Property, such as a fixture or lease for years, that, although unmovable, is considered personal property.

Illustrative caselaw

See, e.g. Clancy v. Oak Park Village Athletic Center, 364 N.W.2d 312 (1985).

See also

• Real property

Definition

Historically, the highest court in England during the reign of a queen (called the King's Bench during the reign of a king). The Queen's Bench is now called the Queen's Bench Division and is one of three divisions of Great Britain's High Court. The other two divisions are the Chancery Division and the Family Division.

Definition

Property acquired by a married person or couple in a non-community property state that would have been community property if it had been acquired in a community property state, e.g. California. If the married couple subsequently relocates to a community property state and either the couple divorces or one spouse dies, a court in that state may treat the property like community property when determining the property interests of the divorcing or surviving spouse(s).  

Definition

An entity, such as a county or school district, that has not been incorporated by a state, but that performs some functions of a corporation. Sometimes called a quasi-municipal corporation.

Illustrative caselaw

See, e.g. Barnes v. District of Columbia, 91 U.S. 540 (1875).

See also

• Limited liability partnership (LLP)

• Municipal corporation

• Public corporation

Definition

A civil proceeding that may result in a penalty akin to a criminal penalty, e.g. imprisonment. Little v. Streater, 452 U.S. 1, 10 (1981). The U.S. Supreme Court has described punitive damages as a "quasi-criminal punishment." Pacific Mut. Life Ins. Co. v. Haslip, 499 U.S. 1, 19 (1991).

Definition

Latin for "as if." Commonly used as a prefix to show that one thing resembles, but is not actually, another thing. For example, a quasi-contract resembles, but is not actually, a contract.

Illustrative caselaw

See, e.g. Humphrey's Ex'r v. United States, 295 U.S. 602 (1935).

See also

• Quasi-community property

• Quasi contract

• Quasi-corporation

• Quasi-criminal (proceeding)

Definition

An obligation imposed by law to prevent unjust enrichment.  Also called a contract implied in law or a constructive contract, a quasi contract may be presumed by a court in the absence of a true contract, but not where a contract—either express or implied in fact—covering the same subject matter already exists.

Definition

See qualified retirement plan.

Definition

A retirement plan, such as a 401(k) plan, an employee annuity plan (26 U.S.C. § 403(a)), an individual retirement account (26 U.S.C. § 408(a)), or a governmental deferred compensation plan (26 U.S.C.