THE LEGAL PROCESS

addendum

An addendum is an addition to a finished document, such as a contract. The most common addendum is an attachment or exhibit at the end of such a document. For example, a contract to manufacture widgets may have an addendum listing the...

additur

Additur is a process whereby a judge increases the amount of damages awarded by a jury. This can occur if the judge finds the jury’s award to be insufficient based on the evidence presented during the trial. Additur is typically offered as an...

adequate and independent state grounds

Adequate and independent state grounds refers to the standard used by the Supreme Court to determine if it will hear a case from a state court. The Supreme Court will hear a case from a state court only if the state court judgment is...

adequate remedy

An adequate remedy is one that affords complete relief with reference to the particular matter in controversy, and which is appropriate given the circumstances of the case. An adequate remedy has also been described as a remedy that is...

adjourn

Adjourn is the final closing of a meeting, such as a convention, or other official gathering.

In a legal sense, to adjourn means to suspend court proceedings to another time or place, or to end them. It is different from...

adjudicate

To adjudicate means to make a formal judgment or decision regarding a problem or disputed matter.

See also: Adjudication.

[Last updated in June of 2022 by the Wex Definitions Team]

adjudication

Adjudication refers to the legal process of resolving a dispute or deciding a case. When a claim is brought, courts identify the rights of the parties at that particular moment by analyzing what were, in law, the rights and wrongs of their actions when...

adjudicative fact

An adjudicative fact is a fact that is either legally operative or even so important as to be controlling on some question of law. Adjudicative facts are those which concern the parties to some dispute and are helpful in determining the...

adjuster

An adjuster is an agent who handles insurance related claims commonly commissioned by an insurance company. The adjuster participates in the investigation and settlement of the claim. This agent is helpful, as it is commonly understood that...

adjustment

Adjustment is a settlement, allowance, or deduction made on a debt or claim that has been objected to by a debtor or creditor in order to establish an equitable arrangement between the parties.

For tax returns, an IRS-...

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