PROPERTY

Abercrombie classification, taking its name from the case Abercrombie & Fitch Co. v. Hunting World Inc., is a system designating how distinct a given trademark is for the purposes of intellectual property law.

• branding

An abeyance is a temporary suspension of activity while awaiting the resolution of some other proceeding without which the activity in abeyance cannot continue. 

In tort law, an abnormally dangerous activity is an activity that is "not common usage" and creates a foreseeable and very significant risk of physical harm, even when reasonable care is exercised by all parties.

• tort law

Absolute is used commonly in property law and in divorce law meaning final or without limitations.

Abstract refers to an abbreviated history of an official record. Some common usages of the term “abstract” in a legal sense include:  

An abstract of title is a summary of recorded facts used as evidence of ownership of real property.

Abstract of trust is a brief version of the trust document that allows certain details of the trust (such as the names of the beneficiaries) that you want to keep confidential to be omitted. It is often used to provide proof of trust formation to financial organizations or other institutions without making certain key terms public.

An abstracter is someone who collects or researches information or summarizes such information in order to maintain data or records. 

See also: Abstract, Abstract of Title

[Last reviewed in February of 2022 by the Wex Definitions Team]

Abut means to directly border. Property law frequently concerns the rights of abutting landowners. 

Access is the right to use, communicate, or approach something or someone. Some common usages of the term “access” in a legal sense include: