1011. Barratry

creating legal business by stirring up disputes and quarrels, generally for the benefit of the lawyer who sees fees in the matter; barratry is illegal in all states and subject to criminal punishment and/or discipline by the state bar, but there must be a showing that the resulting lawsuit was totally groundless

1012. Bargain

a mutual agreement or contract between two parties which is voluntary and involves the exchange of consideration

1013. Bar Examination

examination given in each state by either the highest court or, if an "integrated" bar, by the state bar association (subject to appeal to the State Supreme Court) for admission as an attorney

1014. Bar Association

organization of lawyers; there are two types, one of which is official and usually called an "integrated bar," which is qualified by the particular state's highest court to establish rules for admission and conduct; there are also local bar associations by city or county which are unofficial and voluntary, but do conduct the business of attorneys, such as settling fee disputes and working with the local courts on rules; there is also the American Bar Association, a national voluntary organization of attorneys

1015. Bar

1) collectively all attorneys, as "the bar," which comes from the bar or railing which separates the general spectator area of the courtroom from the area reserved for judges, attorneys, parties and court officials 2) to prevent some legal maneuver, as in "barring" a lawsuit due to the running out of the time to file 3) to prohibit and keep someone from entering a room, building or real property

1016. Bankruptcy Court

specialized federal court in which bankruptcy matters under the Federal Bankruptcy Act are conducted

1017. Bankruptcy

federal system of statutes and courts which permits persons and businesses which are insolvent (debtors) or (in some cases) face potential insolvency, to place their financial affairs under the control of the bankruptcy court; the procedure is that when the debtor's debts exceed their assets or ability to pay, the debtor can file a petition with the bankruptcy court for voluntary bankruptcy or the debtor's unpaid creditors can file an "involuntary" petition to force the debtor into bankruptcy, although voluntary bankruptcy is far more common

1018. Bait And Switch

a dishonest sales practice in which a business advertises a bargain price for an item in order to draw customers into the store and then tells the prospective buyer that the advertised item is of poor quality or no longer available and attempts to switch the customer to a more expensive product

1019. Bailor

person who leaves goods in the custody of another, usually under a "contract of bailment," in which the custodian ("bailee") is responsible for the safekeeping and return of the property

1020. Bailment

1) act of placing property in the custody and control of another, usually by agreement in which the holder (bailee) is responsible for the safekeeping and return of the property 2) The goods themselves which are held by a bailee; thus, the "bailor" (owner) leaves the "bailment" (goods) with the "bailee" (custodian), and the entire transaction is a "bailment"