881. Collateral Source Rule

a rule of tort law which holds that the tort-feasor is not allowed to deduct from the amount he or she would be held to pay to the victim of the tort, any goods, services or money received by that victim from other 'collateral' sources as a result of the tort

882. Collateral

Property which has been committed to guarantee a loan.

883. Code

a system of rules set-forth by an appropriate body or power

884. Codicil

An amendment to an existing will. The will is only changed to the extent of the codicil.

885. Clerk

An official or employee who handles the business of a court or a system of courts, maintains files of each case.

886. Clear Title

Holding ownership to real property without any claims by others on the owner's title and no history of past claims which might affect the ownership.

887. Clear And Present Danger

The doctrine established in an opinion written by Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. in Schenk vs. United States (1919) which is used to determine if a situation creates a threat to the public, individual citizens or to the nation. If so, limits can be placed on First Amendment freedoms of speech, press or assembly.

888. Clear And Convincing Evidence

Evidence that proves a matter by the "preponderance of evidence" required in civil cases and beyond the "reasonable doubt" needed to convict in a criminal case.

889. Clean Hands Doctrine

A rule of law that a person coming to court with a lawsuit or petition for a court order must be free from unfair conduct (have "clean hands" or not have done anything wrong) in regard to the subject matter of his/her claim.

890. Class Action

A lawsuit filed by one or more people on behalf of themselves and a larger group of people "who are similarly situated."