“Shocks the conscience” refers to situations that seem grossly unjust to the observer. Courts often use this phrase as a test to determine which situations are so unjust or wrong that the court must intervene. If some event shocks the conscience of the court, the court will look for some remedy to fix the problem.
Shortening time is a court order made per the request of a party by a motion filed, allowing a motion or other legal matter to be set at a time shorter than provided by law or rules of court.
A shotgun charge (also referred to as dynamite, nitroglycerin, third-degree or Allen charge) refers to jury instructions given by a court to a hung jury to encourage it to continue deliberating until it reaches a
See: order to show cause
[Last reviewed in August of 2021 by the Wex Definitions Team]
A small-claims court is a state court where legal claims that fall below a statutory threshold - generally between $2,500 and $25,000 depending on the particular state - are adjudicated.
So ordered is a phrase used in case law, and is written at the end of a case or an order of a court indicating or emphasizing that the preceding case or order is in fact ordered by the court.
[Last reviewed in June of 2024 by the Wex Definitions Team]
A speaking objection is a type of objection made during a legal proceeding, usually a deposition or trial, where the attorney provides more information or commentary than is necessary to state the basis of the objection.
A special administrator is someone appointed by a court to fill the role of a normal administrator, usually until a more permanent administrator can be appointed. A special administrator may be appointed when someone needs to manage the assets and affairs immediately when the present administrator can no longer serve or the parties disagree over a long-term administrator.
