Written by attorneys · grounded in primary & secondary sources — see below
A pronoun or adjective used in legal instruments to denote any or every interest, right, or thing that exists or is relevant under the circumstances.
Select any source to read its text and confirm it supports the definition.
Wade Watson conveyed Blackacre to William Williams by quitclaim deed. The instrument passed whatever interest Watson held at the time of delivery. Williams later discovered an undisclosed lien but could not enforce a warranty because none existed in the deed.
During a declared rebellion, Congress suspended the privilege of the writ for persons detained in certain districts. Wyatt Wilson challenged his detention. The court examined whether the public safety required the measure under the governing clause containing whatever limits the Constitution imposes.
Wren Wright attended a racially segregated public school under state law. Her family sued the board claiming the separation violated equal protection. The court held that separate facilities are inherently unequal, ordering integration of whatever schools were maintained by the state.
Winston West was appointed to a judicial post but his commission was withheld. He sought a writ of mandamus from the Supreme Court. The Court ruled that it lacked original jurisdiction and thereby established the power to review whatever acts of Congress conflict with the Constitution.
Wren Wallace sought to terminate her pregnancy under a state criminal statute. She challenged the law as an unconstitutional restriction on personal liberty. The Court recognized a right to choose before viability while permitting whatever later regulation the state could justify.
Wrightway Engineering held interests in a common trust fund administered by a bank. The bank published notice of an accounting proceeding but did not mail individual notice to all beneficiaries. The Court required notice reasonably calculated to reach whatever known claimants existed.
A quitclaim deed transfers whatever interest the grantor possesses without any covenants. A general warranty deed includes multiple covenants that protect the grantee against title defects arising before or after the conveyance.
…the Supreme Court can award the writ of mandamus in any case; (2) whether it will lie to a Secretary of State in any case whatever; and (3) whether in the present case the court may award a mandamus to James Madison, Secretary of State. The argument upon the first question was derived from the principles and practice…