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Legal Terms – Homes England
An executive non-departmental public body, formed in January 2018 to replace the Homes and Communities Agency. It is tasked with increasing housing supply—particularly affordable homes—and supporting sustainable development across England
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Legal Terms – Homicide
The act of one human being killing another. Although “homicide” itself is not a specific crime in English law, certain types are criminalized—such as murder, manslaughter, and infanticide—depending on their lawfulness, justification, or excusability
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Legal Terms – Homosexual Conducr
Refers to sexual activity between individuals of the same sex. Since legal reforms in 2003, homosexual conduct has been regulated under criminal law on the same terms as heterosexual conduct, ensuring equal treatment and removal of prior discriminatory distinctions.
Refers to sexual activity between individuals of the same sex. Since legal reforms in 2003, homosexual conduct has been regulated under criminal law on the same terms as heterosexual conduct, ensuring equal treatment and removal of prior discriminatory distinctions.
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Legal Terms – Honest Opinion
A statutory defence in defamation law, replacing the former defence of fair comment under the Defamation Act 2013. To rely on this defence, the defendant must prove that:
- The impugned statement was an expression of opinion rather than a statement of fact;
- The statement indicated the basis or reasoning for the opinion; and
- The opinion could have been honestly held by a reasonable person based on the circumstances.
The defence fails if the claimant proves that the defendant did not genuinely hold the opinion expressed.
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Legal Terms– Honorarium
A voluntary payment or token reward made to someone for services rendered without formal obligation or contract. It is typically given where no legal entitlement to payment exists, acknowledging contribution rather than constituting wages or salary.
A voluntary payment or token reward made to someone for services rendered without formal obligation or contract. It is typically given where no legal entitlement to payment exists, acknowledging contribution rather than constituting wages or salary.
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Legal Terms – Horizontal Agreements
Contracts or arrangements between companies operating at the same level in a supply chain, such as between competing manufacturers or wholesalers (as opposed to vertical agreements between suppliers and distributors).
Such agreements may breach competition law, including Article 101 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and the Chapter I prohibition in the Competition Act 1998, if they restrict or distort competition. Most cartels are forms of horizontal agreements.
The EU Horizontal Guidelines (2011) provide the framework for assessing the legality of these arrangements under competition law.
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Legal Terms – Hornbook
A primarily U.S. legal term describing a concise, one-volume work that summarises the basic principles of a particular area of law (for example, contract or land law). It functions as a legal handbook for study or reference.
A primarily U.S. legal term describing a concise, one-volume work that summarises the basic principles of a particular area of law (for example, contract or land law). It functions as a legal handbook for study or reference.
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Legal Terms – Hospital Order
An order issued by the Crown Court or a magistrates’ court authorising the detention of an offender suffering from a mental disorder in a designated hospital for treatment. Initially valid for six months, the order may be renewed by hospital managers.
Unless a restriction order is also imposed, discharge may be granted by hospital authorities, the responsible clinician, or directed by the Mental Health Tribunal. Hospital orders are made under section 37 of the Mental Health Act 1983.
An order issued by the Crown Court or a magistrates’ court authorising the detention of an offender suffering from a mental disorder in a designated hospital for treatment. Initially valid for six months, the order may be renewed by hospital managers.
Unless a restriction order is also imposed, discharge may be granted by hospital authorities, the responsible clinician, or directed by the Mental Health Tribunal. Hospital orders are made under section 37 of the Mental Health Act 1983.
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Legal Terms – Holograph
A holograph is a document written entirely in the author’s own handwriting, such as a will personally written by the testator without assistance or transcription by another person
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Legal Terms-Homelessness Reduction Act 2017
This Act places a legal duty on local housing authorities to intervene early by providing advice and support to prevent homelessness. Since October 2018, it has introduced a “duty to refer”, obligating specified public bodies to notify housing authorities if they believe someone is homeless or at risk within 56 days. The legislation strengthens preventative measures and promotes coordinated public sector responses
