Also known as: legal codes · code · statutory code
Written by attorneys · grounded in primary & secondary sources — see below
A systematic compilation of statutes or rules that govern conduct in a specific legal domain.
Select any source to read its text and confirm it supports the definition.
Lars Lindstrom, a sitting judge, received a complaint alleging he had failed to apply a controlling statute in a custody matter. The judicial conduct commission reviewed the record and found that Lars had in fact researched and followed the statute as required. Because he had complied with the law including the applicable code, the commission dismissed the complaint.
Lucia Lopez created a trust leaving an outright remainder to her grandson Luis Lopez. After Lucia's death, Luis developed a severe disability that would cause him to lose government benefits if he received the remainder outright. The court authorized conversion of the interest into a special needs trust because unanticipated circumstances made the change necessary to fulfill Lucia's purpose of providing for Luis.
Lorenzo Lugo orally promised to pay Lena Lawson a commission if she induced a third party to transfer Blackacre. When the transfer occurred, Lorenzo refused to pay. The court held the promise was not a contract for an interest in land under the statute because it created no property right in the land itself.
Landon Long told his sister Lucia Lopez that he held certain funds in trust for their nephew but never signed a writing. After Landon's death, Lucia offered clear and convincing testimony from multiple witnesses who heard the declaration. The court enforced the oral trust because the evidence satisfied the statutory standard.
Lena Lawson and Luis Lopez died in the same car accident. No clear and convincing evidence showed that Lena survived Luis by 120 hours. Under the code, Lena was deemed to have predeceased Luis, so her estate received none of the jointly owned property.
Judge Lars Lindstrom was invited to serve on the board of a local charity that frequently appeared before his court. He declined the position after determining that board service would lead to frequent disqualifications. The decision preserved his ability to perform judicial duties without violating the code.
A legal code may permit an oral trust provided its terms are established by clear and convincing evidence.
The code deems that individual to have predeceased the event.
The judge must refrain from those activities.
Yes, a court may modify administrative or dispositive provisions if the change furthers the trust purposes.
…for the preservation of the life or health of the mother. Measured against these standards, Art. 1196 of the Texas Penal Code, in restricting legal abortions to those "procured or attempted by medical advice for the purpose of saving the life of the mother," sweeps too broadly. The statute makes no distinction…