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A mass tort is some act or omission that harms or injures numerous people. Some examples of this kind of activity include explosions, commercial plane crashes, groundwater contamination due to toxic waste disposal, or noxious pollution emanating from industrial factories.

Massachusetts trusts (also known as common-law trusts, business trusts, or unincorporated business organizations) are a unique type of trust used by individuals to run a business outside the normal legal entities such as a corporation or partnership. Massachusetts trusts can be made in many states and in other countries, not just in Massachusetts.

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An antiquated term which describes the employment relationship within employment law and is sometimes used in agency law. This relationship can exist, for example, between an employer and employee or an employer and an independent contractor.

A master trust is an investment vehicle that pools assets for collective control and management. Similar to a pooled trust, the master trust refers to the central fund where assets are managed in a hub and spoke structure. For example, an employer can utilize a master trust structure to pool the investments in a pension or employee benefit plan.

Material means important information, generally significant enough to determine an issue. It can be used in the following contexts:

A witness who possesses information going to some fact that affects the merits of the case. Generally, the information the material witness possesses has strong probative value and few, if any, other witnesses possess the same information.

A phrase referring to anything that has been recorded, either in some public or judicial record, which can accordingly be proven by referring to that record. Lawyers often use this phrase to make reference to facts recorded during the course of a trial or hearing.

The word “may” is an expression of possibility, a permissive choice to act or not, and ordinarily implies some degree of discretion. This contrasts with the word “shall,” which is generally used to indicate a mandatory provision.