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rule of order.See RULE(3). [Blacks Law 8th]

rule of optional completeness.The evidentiary rule providing that when a party introduces part of a writing or an utterance at trial, the opposing party may require that the remainder of the passage be read to establish the full context. • The rule has limitations: first, no utterance can be received if it is irrelevant, and…

rule of operation.Patents. A method of using a machine to produce its intended useful result. • A rule of operation and moving parts generally distinguish a machine from an article of manufacture. [Blacks Law 8th]

rule of necessity.A rule requiring a judge or other official to hear a case, despite bias or conflict of interest, when disqualification would result in the lack of any competent court or tribunal. — Often shortened to necessity. [Cases: Judges 39. C.J.S. Judges §§ 62, 98, 100–102, 107.] [Blacks Law 8th]

rule of marshaling securities.See RULE OF MARSHALING ASSETS. [Blacks Law 8th]

rule of marshaling remedies.See RULE OF MARSHALING ASSETS. [Blacks Law 8th]

rule of marshaling liens.See INVERSE-ORDER-OF-ALIENATION DOCTRINE. [Blacks Law 8th]

rule of marshaling assets.An equitable doctrine that requires a senior creditor, having two or more funds to satisfy its debt, to first dispose of the fund not available to a junior creditor. • It prevents the inequity that would result if the senior creditor could choose to satisfy its debt out of the only fund…

rule of lenity (len-<<schwa>>-tee). The judicial doctrine holding that a court, in construing an ambiguous criminal statute that sets out multiple or inconsistent punishments, should resolve the ambiguity in favor of the more lenient punishment. — Also termed lenity rule. [Cases: Statutes 241(1).] [Blacks Law 8th]

rule of law. 1. A substantive legal principle <under the rule of law known as respondeat superior, the employer is answerable for all wrongs committed by an employee in the course of the employment>.2. The supremacy of regular as opposed to arbitrary power <citizens must respect the rule of law>. — Also termed supremacy of…