Posts by admin

four-corners rule. 1. The principle that a document’s meaning is to be gathered from the entire document and not from its isolated parts. [Cases: Contracts 143.5; Evidence 448. C.J.S. Contracts § 314.] 2. The principle that no extraneous evidence should be used to interpret an unambiguous document. Cf. PAROL-EVIDENCE RULE. [Cases: Evidence 448.C.J.S. Evidence §…

four corners.The face of a written instrument. • The phrase derives from the ancient custom of putting all instruments (such as contracts) on a single sheet of parchment, as opposed to multiple pages, no matter how long the sheet might be. At common law, this custom prevented people from fraudulently inserting materials into a fully…

four, rule of.See RULE OF FOUR.[Blacks Law 8th]

foundling. A deserted or abandoned infant.[Blacks Law 8th]

founding father.A prominent figure in the founding of an institution or esp. a country; specif., one who played a leading role in founding the United States of America, and esp. in the Revolutionary War and the making of the U.S. Constitution.[Blacks Law 8th]

foundling hospital.A charitable institution, found esp. in Europe, the purpose of which is to care for abandoned children.[Blacks Law 8th]

founded on,adj. Having as a basis <the suit was founded on the defendant’s breach of contract>.[Blacks Law 8th]

foundational fact.See predicate fact under FACT.[Blacks Law 8th]

foundational evidence.See EVIDENCE.[Blacks Law 8th]

foundation. 1. The basis on which something is supported; esp., evidence or testimony that establishes the admissibility of other evidence <laying the foundation>. [Cases: Evidence 117, 366–381. C.J.S. Evidence §§ 208, 819–822, 824–833, 870–878, 881, 884, 889, 917–919, 932–933, 935–939, 949, 957, 959–962, 964, 976, 982–983, 986, 992–994, 998, 1000, 1002–1006, 1008, 1010–1022, 1026–1034.] 2.…