LAW

Published on
KembaraXtra – Legal Terms – Misjoinder of Parties
Misjoinder of parties occurs when parties are incorrectly joined in legal proceedings.
Modern procedural rules generally prevent such mistakes from automatically defeating an action. Instead, the court may correct the problem through amendment procedures.
The aim is to ensure that technical procedural errors do not unnecessarily obstruct justice.

Picture
Published on
KembaraXtra – Legal Terms – Misfeasance Summons
A misfeasance summons is an application made to the court during the winding-up of a company under insolvency law.
It allows creditors, contributories, liquidators, or the official receiver to request investigation into the conduct of company officers or others suspected of breaching duties owed to the company.
If wrongdoing is established, the court may order restitution, repayment, or compensation to restore losses suffered by the company.

Picture
Published on
KembaraXtra – Legal Terms – Misfeasance in Public Office
Misfeasance in public office is a tort that applies specifically to public authorities and public officials.
The tort arises where a public officer abuses official power maliciously or in bad faith, causing loss or harm to another person.
Claimants must generally prove deliberate misuse of authority or reckless disregard for legality, making it an important mechanism for holding public officials accountable.

Picture
Published on
KembaraXtra – Legal Terms – Misfeasance
Misfeasance generally means the improper or negligent performance of a lawful act.
In company law, the term often refers to breaches of duty or misuse of company assets by company officers, directors, or others owing fiduciary obligations.
The concept differs from malfeasance, which involves unlawful acts, and nonfeasance, which involves failure to act where action is required.

Picture
Published on
KembaraXtra – Legal Terms – Misdirection
A misdirection occurs when a judge gives a jury incorrect guidance on a point of law during a trial.
Because juries rely on judicial directions to apply the law correctly, a serious error may undermine the fairness of the proceedings.
If a misdirection affects the safety of a conviction, an appellate court such as the Court of Appeal may quash the conviction.

Picture
Published on
KembaraXtra – Legal Terms – Misdescription
A misdescription is an inaccurate or misleading description of property contained in a contract for sale.
If the seller cannot transfer property matching the contractual description, this may amount to breach of contract. Where the misdescription is substantial, the purchaser may refuse to complete the transaction or seek damages.
Where the misdescription is minor and innocent, the court may still enforce the contract while granting compensation or reducing the purchase price. Property legislation also prohibits estate agents and developers from making false or misleading statements about property.

Picture
Published on
KembaraXtra – Legal Terms – Misdemeanour


A misdemeanour was formerly one of the categories of criminal offences in English law.


Before 1967, offences were generally divided into felonies and misdemeanours, with misdemeanours regarded as less serious crimes.


The distinction has since been abolished, and modern criminal law no longer classifies offences in this way.
Picture
Published on
KembaraXtra – Legal Terms – Misconduct
Misconduct refers to improper, unlawful, or incorrect behaviour.
The term may apply in employment law, professional discipline, public office, or other legal contexts where a person is expected to comply with legal or ethical standards.
Misconduct may range from negligence and inappropriate behaviour to deliberate wrongdoing, depending on the circumstances and applicable legal rules.

Picture
Published on
KembaraXtra – Legal Terms – Mischief Rule


The mischief rule is a principle of statutory interpretation used by courts when interpreting legislation.


Under this approach, judges examine the problem or “mischief” that Parliament intended to remedy when enacting the statute.


The court then interprets the legislation in a way that suppresses the mischief and advances the intended remedy, thereby giving effect to Parliament’s purpose.
Picture
Published on
KembaraXtra – Legal Terms – Miscarriage
A miscarriage may refer either to a failure of justice or to a spontaneous abortion, depending on the legal context.
In criminal justice, a miscarriage of justice occurs where the legal process has failed, resulting in wrongful conviction, unfair treatment, or other serious procedural injustice.
In medical and family law contexts, the term refers to a spontaneous loss of pregnancy that occurs naturally rather than through induced abortion.

Picture