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Legal Terms – Heir
A person legally entitled to inherit property from a deceased individual under intestacy laws or a valid will.
The term applies broadly to successors in both real and personal property, but historically referred only to inheritance of real estate.
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Legal Terms – Heirloom
An item of personal property that is passed down with inherited land or title, such as a family portrait or ceremonial object. Traditionally, heirlooms could not be sold separately from the estate without special authority.
An item of personal property that is passed down with inherited land or title, such as a family portrait or ceremonial object. Traditionally, heirlooms could not be sold separately from the estate without special authority.
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Legal Terms – Heirs of the Body
A legal term used in entailments and inheritance law, referring to direct biological descendants of a person, including children and grandchildren. It excludes adopted or collateral relatives unless expressly stated.
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Legal Terms-Helms-Burton Act
A U.S. federal law (1996) that extended the economic embargo on Cuba, penalizing foreign companies that traded with or used property expropriated from U.S. citizens during the Cuban Revolution. It remains controversial for its extraterritorial reach and impact on international trade relations.
A U.S. federal law (1996) that extended the economic embargo on Cuba, penalizing foreign companies that traded with or used property expropriated from U.S. citizens during the Cuban Revolution. It remains controversial for its extraterritorial reach and impact on international trade relations.
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Legal Terms – Help at Court
Refers to assistance provided to self-represented (litigant-in-person) parties by court staff, volunteers, or legal aid organizations.
Although helpers can offer procedural guidance, they cannot represent the litigant or advise on the merits of a case, unless formally authorized.
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Legal Terms – Harassment
A course of conduct involving repeated or threatening behaviour that causes alarm, distress, or fear.
The offence is defined under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997, which criminalizes both harassment and stalking, with remedies including restraining orders and damages for victims.
Harassment can occur in domestic, workplace, or public settings and may lead to both civil and criminal liability.
A course of conduct involving repeated or threatening behaviour that causes alarm, distress, or fear.
The offence is defined under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997, which criminalizes both harassment and stalking, with remedies including restraining orders and damages for victims.
Harassment can occur in domestic, workplace, or public settings and may lead to both civil and criminal liability.
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Legal Terms– Harassment of Debtors
Prohibited conduct by creditors or debt collection agents involving intimidation, repeated contact, or humiliation of a debtor.
The Administration of Justice Act 1970, s.40, and Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 forbid coercive tactics, false representation, or threats intended to pressure payment.
Debtors facing harassment may seek injunctions or report misconduct to regulatory authorities such as the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
Prohibited conduct by creditors or debt collection agents involving intimidation, repeated contact, or humiliation of a debtor.
The Administration of Justice Act 1970, s.40, and Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 forbid coercive tactics, false representation, or threats intended to pressure payment.
Debtors facing harassment may seek injunctions or report misconduct to regulatory authorities such as the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
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Legal Terms – Health and Wellbeing Boards
Established in April 2013 as part of major NHS reforms, these boards operate within upper-tier local authorities in England. Their role is to provide a collaborative platform where representatives from the NHS, local government, and social care agencies can plan health and social care services jointly.
Their objectives include:
- Enhancing democratic involvement in decisions affecting community health.
- Promoting integration between health, public health, and social care systems.
- Encouraging coordinated commissioning of local services for efficiency and improved outcomes
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Legal Terms – Healthcare Commission
A now-defunct regulatory body that previously monitored the quality and standards of healthcare in England. Its functions were transferred to the Care Quality Commission (CQC) under the Health and Social Care Act 2008, which now regulates health and adult social care services
A now-defunct regulatory body that previously monitored the quality and standards of healthcare in England. Its functions were transferred to the Care Quality Commission (CQC) under the Health and Social Care Act 2008, which now regulates health and adult social care services
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Legal Term – Health Records
Records maintained by the National Health Service (NHS) that contain information about an individual’s physical or mental health.
Access rights:
- Governed by the Data Protection Act 1998 for living individuals.
- Governed by the Access to Health Records Act 1990 for deceased persons.
These records include any information made by or for healthcare professionals as part of patient care, and individuals have a legal right to request access to their information at any time
