31. Bill Of Exchange

a writing by a party (maker or drawer) ordering another (payor) to pay a certain amount to a third party (payee); it is the same as a draft; a bill of exchange drawn on a bank account is a "check"

32. Bill Of Attainder

legislative act which declares a named person guilty of a crime, particularly treason; such bills are prohibited by Article I, Section 9 of the Constitution.

33. Bill

1) what is commonly called a "check" by which the signer requires the bank to pay a third party a sum of money; this is a holdover from the days when a person would draw up a "bill of exchange" 2) a statement of what is owed 3) any paper money 4) legislative proposal for the enactment of a law; it is called a bill until it is passed and signed, at which time it is a law (statute) and is no longer referred to as a bill 5) an old-fashioned term for various filed documents in lawsuits or criminal prosecutions, which is falling into disuse

34. Bilateral Contract

an agreement in which the parties exchange promises for each to do something in the future

35. Bifurcate

the order or ruling of a judge that one issue in a case can be tried to a conclusion or a judgment given on one phase of the case without trying all aspects of the matter

36. Bias

the predisposition of a judge, arbitrator, prospective juror, or anyone making a judicial decision, against or in favor of one of the parties or class of persons

37. Beyond A Reasonable Doubt

part of jury's instructions in all criminal trials; in which the jurors are told that they can only find the defendant guilty if they are convinced "beyond a reasonable doubt" of his or her guilt; sometimes referred to as "to a moral certainty," the phrase is fraught with uncertainty as to meaning, however; criminal justice experts have concluded that it would mean being 99% sure; in civil court to find someone liable they would have to only take greater than 50% fault

38. Best Evidence Rule

legal doctrine that an original piece of evidence--particularly a document--is superior to a copy; if the original is available, a copy will not be allowed as evidence in a trial

39. Bequest

the gift of personal property under the terms of a will

40. Bequeath

1) to give personal property under provisions of a will 2) the act of giving any asset by the terms of a will