Also known as: ceases · ceased · ceasing · desist
Written by attorneys · grounded in primary & secondary sources — see below
To bring an activity, obligation, or state to an end. The termination may occur by voluntary choice, court order, statutory command, or operation of law, after which the prior conduct or duty no longer continues.
Craig Caldwell sold his solo immigration practice to a larger firm. After the closing date, Caldwell stopped accepting new immigration clients and transferred all open files. Because he no longer engaged in that area of practice within the jurisdiction, the sale satisfied the rule permitting transfer of goodwill.
Charlotte Chung leased a storefront from Cascade Manufacturing. The landlord's construction crew kept operating jackhammers directly above the space during business hours. Chung sent written notice demanding that the interference stop. When the noise persisted, she terminated the lease and sought damages for breach.
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Carmen Choi discovered a neighbor's cattle repeatedly crossing onto her pasture. She posted clear signs and personally asked the neighbor to keep the animals off the land. When the neighbor disregarded the request, Choi was privileged to use reasonable force to end the intrusion.
After arrest, Clifford Cox stated he wanted a lawyer before answering questions. Officers immediately halted all interrogation and did not resume questioning about any offense until counsel was present. Because the invocation was clear, the officers' decision to cease questioning preserved admissibility of later statements.
Copperfield Mining operated a quarry that became nonconforming after the county enacted new zoning rules. The ordinance granted a five-year amortization period. At the end of that period the quarry operations had to cease, and the company removed equipment to avoid an unlawful-use citation.
Cody Callahan found an uninvited person inside his storage unit. He first demanded that the intruder exit the premises. When the person refused and Callahan reasonably believed a request would be useless, he was justified in using nondeadly force to terminate the interference.
The beneficiary's rights are discharged or modified to the same extent as the promisor's duty. If public policy, impracticability, or another ground renders the contract unenforceable, the beneficiary cannot enforce the promise that no longer binds the promisor.
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Once a suspect in custody clearly invokes the right to counsel, officers must stop interrogation immediately. They may not reinitiate questioning about any offense until counsel is provided or the suspect initiates further communication and validly waives the right.
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Yes. The seller must stop engaging in the private practice of law, or in the specific area sold, within the geographic area or jurisdiction where the practice was conducted. Failure to cease practicing violates the conditions for a valid sale of goodwill.
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The zoning ordinance grants the owner a reasonable period to phase out the use. After that period expires, the use must cease. Reasonableness turns on the nature of the use, the owner's investment, and the length of the grace period.
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…a legal remedy by suit or action at law. The government of the United States is a government of laws and not of men; it will cease to deserve that appellation if the laws furnish no remedy for the violation of vested legal rights. The question is whether this case can be arranged with damnum absque injuria (a loss…