Law Dictionary Definitions

government-agency defense.Torts. An affirmative defense that immunizes a contractor from liability upon proof that the contractor acted on the government’s behalf as an agent or as a government officer. • This defense is extremely limited because of the difficulty of establishing the government-agent relationship. See Yearsley v. W.A. Ross Constr. Co., 309 U.S. 18, 20–22,…

government agency.See AGENCY(3). [Blacks Law 8th]

government. 1. The structure of principles and rules determining how a state or organization is regulated. 2. The sovereign power in a nation or state. 3. An organization through which a body of people exercises political au-thority; the machinery by which sovereign power is expressed <the Canadian government>. • In this sense, the term refers…

governing body. 1.GOVERNMENT(2).2. A group of (esp. corporate) officers or persons having ultimate control <the board of directors is the governing body of XYZ, Inc.>. [Blacks Law 8th]

govern,vb. (Of a precedent) to control a point in issue <the Smith case will govern the outcome of the appeal>. [Blacks Law 8th]

go to the country.See GOING TO THE COUNTRY. [Blacks Law 8th]

go to protest.(Of commercial paper) to be dishonored by nonpayment or nonacceptance <the draft will go to protest>. See DISHONOR(1); PROTEST(2). [Blacks Law 8th]

Gothland sea laws.See LAWS OF VISBY. [Blacks Law 8th]

goose case.See WHITEHORSE CASE. [Blacks Law 8th]

goodwill. A business’s reputation, patronage, and other intangible assets that are considered when appraising the business, esp. for purchase; the ability to earn income in excess of the income that would be expected from the business viewed as a mere collection of assets. • Because an established business’s trademark or servicemark is a symbol of…