911. Chief Justice

presiding judge of any State Supreme Court and the U.S. Supreme Court; the Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court is appointed by the President and must be confirmed by the senate

912. Check

A draft upon a particular account in a bank, in which the drawer directs the bank to pay a certain amount to a third party.

913. Chattel

An item of personal property which is movable, as distinguished from real property.

914. Charter

1) the act of an established body giving sanction or bestowing rights on an individual or party, usually in writing 2) an enumerated privilege

915. Charge

1) In a criminal case, the statement of what crime the party is accused of. 2) In jury trials, the oral instructions by the judge to the jurors just before the jury begins deliberations. This

charge is based on jury instructions submitted by attorneys on both sides and agreed upon by the trial judge. 3) a fee for services.

916. Character Witness

A person who testifies testifies in a trial on behalf of a person (usually a criminal defendant) as to that person's good ethical qualities and morality both by the personal knowledge of the witness and the person's reputation in the community.

917. Change Of Circumstances

The principal reason for a court modifying (amending) an existing order for the payment of alimony and/or child support. The change may be an increase or decrease in the income of either the party obligated to pay or the ex-spouse receiving payment, or the health, the employment, or needs of either party.

918. Chancery

A court that can order acts to be performed. Today, chancery courts are merged with courts of law in most states.

919. Chancellor

From the Old English legal system, a chancellor is a judge who sits in what is called a chancery (equity) court with the power to order something be done (as distinguished from just paying damages).

920. Champerty

An agreement between the party suing in a lawsuit and another person, usually an attorney, who agrees to finance and carry the lawsuit in return for a percentage of the recovery.