Legal Terms: N

The Application for Naturalization filed with USCIS by lawful permanent residents seeking to become U.S. citizens, supported by evidence of continuous residence, physical presence, and good moral character.

The Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central American Relief Act of 1997, providing special forms of relief from removal and adjustment of status to certain nationals of Nicaragua, Cuba, El Salvador, Guatemala, and former Soviet bloc countries.

A trademark license granted without quality control by the licensor over the licensee's use of the mark, which can result in abandonment of trademark rights.

A weighted-average anti-dilution formula counting only outstanding preferred (or a narrower base) in the denominator, producing greater protection than broad-based.

EPA standards establishing permissible levels of criteria pollutants in outdoor air to protect public health and welfare under the Clean Air Act.

An exemption from the labor certification requirement for employment-based immigrants whose work is deemed to be in the national interest of the United States.

A federal law protecting the rights of employees to organize, form labor unions, bargain collectively, and engage in concerted activity for mutual aid or protection.

The permitting program under the Clean Water Act that regulates point source discharges of pollutants into waters of the United States.

Monetary compensation for injury to, destruction of, or loss of natural resources caused by a release of hazardous substances, recoverable under CERCLA and the Oil Pollution Act.

The legal process by which a foreign national becomes a U.S. citizen after meeting eligibility requirements and passing required tests.

The process by which a lawful permanent resident becomes a U.S. citizen after meeting residency, language, civics, and good moral character requirements.

The legal process by which a lawful permanent resident becomes a United States citizen, generally requiring at least five years of residence, good moral character, and passage of English and civics tests.

Goods and services essential for a person's basic needs, such as food, clothing, shelter, and medical care. Contracts for necessaries by minors may be enforceable.

A justification defense permitting otherwise criminal conduct when reasonably necessary to avoid a greater, imminent harm.

The failure to exercise the standard of care that a reasonably prudent person would exercise under similar circumstances, resulting in harm to another.

A false assertion made without reasonable care to ascertain its truth, generally supporting rescission and limited damages for those in commercial relationships.

The process of discussion and bargaining between parties to reach a mutually acceptable agreement or settlement.

The National Environmental Policy Act, requiring federal agencies to assess the environmental effects of proposed actions before making decisions.

A loss that occurs when a taxpayer's allowable tax deductions exceed their taxable income in a given year, which may be carried forward to offset future income.

EPA regulations establishing emission limitations for new or modified stationary sources of air pollution in specific industrial categories.

A trial court, as distinguished from an appellate court. The term refers to the court where a case is first tried.

A plea (nolo contendere) in which the defendant does not admit guilt but accepts punishment. It cannot be used as an admission of liability in a civil case.

A will provision purporting to disinherit any beneficiary who unsuccessfully challenges the will, with varying enforceability across jurisdictions, particularly when probable cause exists for the challenge.

A dissolution available in every state on grounds such as irreconcilable differences or irretrievable breakdown, requiring no showing of marital misconduct by either spouse.

A search warrant authorizing officers to enter premises without first announcing their presence, typically justified by safety or evidence-destruction concerns.

A contractual provision prohibiting oral modifications, given effect under UCC 2-209(2) for sale-of-goods contracts even between merchants.

A loss arising when allowable deductions exceed gross income, available to be carried to other tax years under rules that have changed significantly under recent tax legislation.

Latin for 'I do not wish to contend.' A plea in criminal court similar to guilty but cannot be used as an admission in civil proceedings.

A plea of no contest, accepting punishment without admitting guilt, which cannot generally be used as an admission in subsequent civil litigation.

A token amount stated to satisfy the consideration requirement, generally insufficient under the modern rule absent an actual bargained-for exchange.

A contractual clause restricting an employee from working for competitors or starting a competing business for a specified period and geographic area after leaving employment.

A contractual restriction preventing an employee or business seller from competing with the other party for a specified time and geographic area.

A contract creating a confidential relationship between parties, obligating one or both to keep certain information secret.

A contract requiring a party to keep certain information confidential, commonly used to protect trade secrets and proprietary business information.

Out-of-court statements that fall outside the hearsay definition because they are not offered for their truth or are exempted by FRE 801(d).

The required intention of most temporary visa applicants to reside in the United States only temporarily for a specific purpose before returning home.

Preferred stock that on a liquidation event receives the greater of its liquidation preference or its as-converted share of proceeds, but not both.

A regular U.S. patent application examined on the merits by the USPTO, which can claim priority to an earlier provisional application filed within 12 months.

A tax credit that can reduce tax liability only to zero, with any excess generally lost (though some carry over), including the Saver's Credit and foreign tax credit.

A geographic area where the concentration of a criteria pollutant exceeds the National Ambient Air Quality Standards.

A land use that was lawful before a zoning change but no longer complies with current zoning regulations. Generally allowed to continue but not expand.

A debt that cannot be eliminated in bankruptcy, including student loans (absent undue hardship), certain taxes, child support, and debts arising from fraud.

A visa issued to a foreign national seeking temporary entry to the United States for a specific purpose such as tourism, study, or temporary work.

Disciplinary action taken by a commanding officer without a court-martial, authorized under Article 15 of the UCMJ for minor offenses.

A person authorized by the state to witness the signing of documents, administer oaths, and certify the authenticity of signatures.

Formal notification to a party of a legal action, proceeding, or right. Due process requires adequate notice before the government deprives a person of rights.

A document that covered entities must provide to patients describing how their protected health information may be used and disclosed and their rights under HIPAA.

A charging document issued by the Department of Homeland Security that initiates removal proceedings by notifying the foreign national of the allegations and charges.

A substituted contract that immediately discharges the original obligation by substituting a new party or new obligation, requiring the consent of all parties.

The distinction that assignment transfers rights while leaving the assignor liable for duties, whereas novation substitutes a new party and discharges the original.

A requirement for patentability meaning the invention must be new and not anticipated by any single prior art reference.

A stock option that does not meet ISO requirements and is taxed as ordinary income on the spread between fair market value and exercise price at exercise.

The charging document on Form I-862 served by DHS that initiates removal proceedings, specifying the noncitizen's alleged removability and the date of the first immigration court hearing.

An unreasonable interference with the use and enjoyment of another person's property. Can be private (affecting one party) or public (affecting the community).

The Rule 23(a)(1) requirement that the class be so numerous that joinder of all members is impracticable, typically satisfied by 40 or more members.

An oral will made during the last illness or in imminent peril of death, valid only in limited circumstances in some states.

An oral will spoken in the presence of witnesses, recognized only in very limited circumstances such as last-illness or military exigency in jurisdictions that still permit them.