Rule against perpetuities

A common law rule that prevents suspending the transfer of property for more then 21 years or a lifetime plus 21 years. Forexample, ifawill proposes the transferofan estate to some future date, which is uncertain, for either more than 21 years after the death of the testator or for the life of a person identified in the will and 21 years, the transfer is void. Statute law exists in manyjurisdictionswhich supersedes the common law rule.

Sanction

This is a very unusual word with two contradictory meanings. To "sanction” can mean to ratify or to approve but it can also mean to punish. The "sanction” of a crime refers to the actual punishment, usually expressed as a fine or jail term.

Scienter

Latin for knowledge. In legal situations, the word is usually used to refer to "guilty knowledge”. For example, owners of vicious dogs may be liable for injuries caused by these dogs if they can prove the owner's "scienter” (i.e. that the owner was aware, before the attack, ofthe dog's vicious character).

Search warrant

A court order (i.e. signed by a judge) that gives a police the permission to enter private property and to search for evidence ofthe commission of a crime, for the proceeds of crime or property that the police suspect may be used to commit a crime. These court orders are obtained on the basis of a sworn statement by the requesting law enforcement officer and will precisely describe the place to be searched and, in some cases, the exact property being sought.

Seisin

The legal possession of property. In law, the term refers more specifically to the possession of land by a freeholder. Forexample, a owner of a building has seisin, butatenant does not, because the tenant, although enjoying possession, does not have the legal title inthe building.