Also known as: legitimacy · legitimates · legitimated · legitimating · legitimation · lawful · valid
Written by attorneys · grounded in primary & secondary sources — see below
An adjective describing conduct, status, or an objective that complies with the law or is otherwise lawful and proper. It encompasses actions or relationships that are valid under governing rules and not contrary to public policy.
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Lila Lin and Leonard Lowe agree to pressure a local official into granting a permit by threatening negative publicity. The agreement targets an objective the law regards as contrary to public welfare. Their conduct supplies the unlawful element required for conspiracy liability even though the underlying acts are not themselves criminal.
Landon Long executes a mortgage to Lone Peak Energy to secure repayment of an existing loan. The underlying debt is enforceable and not discharged. The mortgage remains valid and enforceable because the obligation it secures meets all legal requirements.
Luna Lang, a state judge, faces a conflict between a state statute and a federal treaty on trade regulation. The treaty was made under the authority of the United States. The treaty controls as the supreme law of the land and binds the state court.
Lucy Liu offers a statement by her deceased aunt concerning the legitimacy of a family member. The statement concerns a fact of personal or family history. The hearsay exception applies even though the declarant lacked personal knowledge of the fact.
A judge presiding over a custody dispute makes reference to a parent's age when the factor is directly relevant to the child's best interests. The reference is made for a legitimate purpose tied to the proceeding. The rule permits the reference without violating the prohibition on bias.
Lexicon Media and Landmark Realty execute a lease for commercial space. The writing identifies the parties, the premises, the duration, the rent, and bears the signature of the party to be charged. The lease satisfies the statute of frauds and is valid and enforceable.
An objective is unlawful if the parties agree to pursue it and the law regards the objective as contrary to public welfare, even if the conduct is not itself criminal. The agreement itself supplies the basis for liability once the unlawful character is shown.
A mortgage is unenforceable if the obligation it secures is void or has been discharged. The validity of the security device depends on the continuing existence of a lawful underlying debt or promise.
…just compensation." It is well settled that the government may impose regulations on private property that substantially advance legitimate state interests without effecting a taking. The question in this case is whether the restrictions imposed by the Landmarks Law constitute such a regulation or whether they effect a…
…life to be weighed against the constitutionally protected interests of the individual. It is also clear that the State has a legitimate
…decedent had legitimated the child by marrying the child's mother or by complying with the requirements of some other method of legitimation
…without paying compensation for the loss of the right to pass on small interests. The statute is reasonably related to the legitimate goal of land consolidation. I would reverse the judgment of the Court of Appeals. Hodel v. Irving <!-- acedexams opinion md v1 -- Case information - Court: Supreme Court of…
…war authorizes him to carry it into effect. In what manner, and to what extent, shall he carry it into effect? What are the legitimate objects of the warfare which he is to wage? There is no act of the legislature defining the powers, objects or mode of warfare: by what rule, then, must he be governed? I think the only…
Federal law made in pursuance of the Constitution and treaties made under United States authority are the supreme law of the land. State judges must apply federal law over conflicting state provisions.
Statements concerning a declarant's own birth, adoption, legitimacy, ancestry, marriage, divorce, or relationship by blood or marriage qualify even without personal knowledge by the declarant.
A judge may refer to the listed factors when the reference is legitimate and relevant to an issue in the proceeding. The rule permits such references without violating the general prohibition on bias.
The writing must identify the parties, the premises, the duration, the rent, and be signed by the party to be charged. Satisfaction of these elements renders the lease valid under the controlling statute of frauds.