Also known as: Sachen · thing · object
Written by attorneys · grounded in primary & secondary sources — see below
An object or item that serves as the subject of legal relations under civil-law systems.
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Steven Silva reaches through a broken window to grab a wallet inside the home. His hand crosses the threshold for only an instant while he intends to steal. The brief placement of his body inside satisfies the entry element for the offense.
Skylar Sullivan sues a state agency to enforce a pre-ratification debt the United States assumed under the new Constitution. The state court must treat the obligation as valid and supreme over any conflicting state law. The judges are bound to apply the federal rule without regard to contrary local provisions.
Scott Summers aims a firearm at a rival with the conscious object of causing death. The resulting shot meets the purposeful mental state for the homicide charge. No lesser mental state applies because the desired result was the direct goal of his conduct.
Simone Sanders agrees to sell a unique vintage car that both parties know is required for performance. A fire destroys the vehicle before delivery. The destruction excuses Sanders from the duty because the continued existence of that specific thing was a basic assumption of the contract.
Selena Singh gives birth and places the child for adoption without notifying the biological father. Stephen Shaw had visited the child regularly, admitted paternity, and paid support before the proceeding. His demonstrated parental responsibility gives him the right to object to the adoption.
Sapphire Holdings acquires a security interest in equipment located in State A. The parties later dispute the priority of that interest in litigation in State B. The court applies the local law of the state with the most significant relationship to the thing and the parties.
It refers to a thing or article. The term appears in civil-law contexts to denote tangible or intangible items that can be the subject of legal relations.
…name from the Court of King's Bench directed to any person, corporation or inferior court requiring them to do some particular thing appertaining to their office and duty and which the court has previously determined or at least supposes to be consonant to right and justice. The Federalist explains 'appellate' in its…