|
- J -
Joint and Several Liability: Refers to a plaintiff's
ability to sue one or more defendants separately or all
together at his or her option. Permits a group of defendants
to be held both individually and collectively liable for all
damages suffered by the plaintiff. The plaintiff can recover
the entire amount of damages from one defendant, even if all
of the defendants are liable.
For incidents arising after August 17, 2002: Due to a new
Pennsylvania law, joint and several liability has been changed
so that a plaintiff may no longer be able to collect all his
damages from one defendant, even if more than one defendant is
found responsible. A percentage of fault will be assessed
against each defendant and, unless a defendant's negligence is
60% or greater, an at fault defendant will be responsible for
only its percentage of fault.
Joint Tenancy: A form of legal co-ownership of
property (also known as survivorship). At the death of one
co-owner, the surviving co-owner becomes sole owner of the
property. Tenancy by the entirety is a special form of joint
tenancy between a husband and wife.
Judge: Workers' compensation judges are appointed
and are representatives of the Pennsylvania Department of
Labor and Industry. They conduct hearings in an administrative
proceeding for workers' compensation cases.
Judgment: Official decision of a court resolving the
issues in a legal action and stating the rights and
obligations of the parties. See also decree, order.
Judgment Notwithstanding the Verdict (n.o.v.): An
order by the trial judge entering a judgment in a manner
contradictory to the jury’s verdict. This is granted only
when the verdict is unreasonable and unsupportable.
Judicial: Pertaining to a judge.
Judicial Notice: The procedure by which a judge
recognizes the existence of the truth of a certain fact having
bearing on the case without the production of evidence because
such fact is established by common notoriety. For example, if
the accident happened on Thanksgiving, the judge can take
judicial notice that the accident happened on a Thursday.
Judicial Review: The authority of a court to review
the official actions of other branches of government. Also,
the authority to declare unconstitutional the actions of other
branches.
Jurisdiction: The legal right by which judges
exercise their authority.
Jurisprudence: The study of law and the structure of
the legal system.
Jury: Persons selected according to law and sworn to
inquire into and declare a verdict on matters of fact. A petit
jury is an ordinary or trial jury, composed of six to 12
persons, which hears either civil or criminal cases.
Jury Commissioner: The court officer responsible for
choosing the panel of persons to serve as potential jurors for
a particular court term.
Justiciable: Issues and claims capable of being
properly examined in court.
|
