Legal Terms: U

A nonimmigrant visa for victims of certain crimes who have suffered substantial mental or physical abuse and are helpful to law enforcement in the investigation or prosecution of the crime.

A non-immigrant visa for victims of qualifying crimes who have suffered substantial mental or physical abuse and assist law enforcement, capped at 10,000 principal grants per fiscal year.

The required law-enforcement certification, on Form I-918 Supplement B, confirming that the U-visa applicant was a victim of a qualifying crime and has been helpful to the investigation or prosecution.

The Uniform Commercial Code provision allowing modification of a sale-of-goods contract without consideration, subject to good faith and any signed writing requirement.

The Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act, adopted in nearly every state, which determines which state has jurisdiction to make initial and modification custody orders and provides mechanisms for enforcement across state lines.

The Uniform Code of Military Justice, the federal law that governs the military justice system and defines criminal offenses and procedures for members of the U.S. armed forces.

Latin for 'beyond the powers.' An act performed by a corporation or government body that exceeds its legal authority.

A contract defense where the terms are so one-sided and unfair that no reasonable person would agree to them. Courts may refuse to enforce unconscionable contracts.

A doctrine under UCC 2-302 and Restatement 208 allowing courts to refuse enforcement of contracts or terms so one-sided as to shock the conscience.

A dissolution in which the spouses have reached agreement on all issues, allowing the court to enter a decree based on their written stipulation, often without a contested hearing.

A tank and any connected piping with at least 10 percent of their volume underground, regulated under RCRA to prevent releases of petroleum and hazardous substances.

A financial intermediary, typically an investment bank, that helps a company issue and sell new securities to the public.

A defense to the reasonable accommodation requirement under the ADA, where an employer demonstrates that the accommodation would impose significant difficulty or expense.

Excessive pressure or manipulation exerted over a person, impairing their free will and inducing them to act in the influencer's favor, often in contracts or wills.

Unfair persuasion of a party by one in a dominant or confidential relationship, taking advantage of vulnerability to induce a transaction.

The exertion of pressure on a testator that overcomes free will and results in a disposition reflecting the influencer's wishes rather than the testator's, voiding the affected provisions.

A joint federal-state program providing temporary income to workers who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own while they search for new employment.

Conduct by an employer or union that violates the rights established under the National Labor Relations Act, subject to complaint before the NLRB.

The capacity of evidence to lure the factfinder into deciding on an improper basis, typically an emotional one, justifying exclusion under FRE 403.

The credit against gift and estate tax that effectively exempts transfers up to the lifetime exemption amount, integrated across lifetime gifts and the taxable estate.

A comprehensive set of laws governing commercial transactions in the United States, including the sale of goods, negotiable instruments, and secured transactions.

An erroneous belief held by only one party, which generally does not allow rescission unless the other party knew or had reason to know of the mistake.

Goods whose distinctive character makes substitution impossible, supporting specific performance under UCC 2-716(1) for the buyer.

A legal principle preventing one party from benefiting at another's expense without justification, giving rise to a claim for restitution.

The legal principle that one who has been unjustly enriched at another's expense must make restitution, the basis for quasi-contract recovery.

Any action by a military authority that could improperly influence the outcome of a court-martial or other military justice proceeding, considered the mortal enemy of military justice.

Time spent in the United States without authorization or after an authorized period of stay has expired, which may trigger bars to future admission.

An intermediate standard of review applied to defensive measures taken by directors in response to a takeover threat, requiring a reasonable response proportionate to the threat.

A creditor whose claim is not backed by collateral or a lien, ranking lower in priority than secured creditors in bankruptcy distributions.

Debt not backed by collateral, such as credit card debt and medical bills. In bankruptcy, unsecured creditors are paid after secured creditors.

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, the federal agency that administers the nation's lawful immigration system, processing visa petitions, naturalizations, and asylum applications.

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, the agency within the Department of Homeland Security responsible for adjudicating immigration benefits such as green cards, naturalization, and work authorization.

A grant of immunity barring direct use of compelled testimony against the witness, but not prosecution based on independently obtained evidence.

A tax imposed on the use, storage, or consumption of tangible personal property purchased from an out-of-state seller where no sales tax was collected.

The practice of charging an illegally high rate of interest on a loan, prohibited by state usury laws.

The most common type of patent, protecting new and useful processes, machines, articles of manufacture, or compositions of matter for 20 years from the filing date.

The most common type of patent, protecting new and useful processes, machines, manufactures, or compositions of matter for 20 years from the earliest non-provisional filing date.

The process by which a health plan evaluates the medical necessity and appropriateness of healthcare services before, during, or after they are provided.