Law Dictionary Definitions

base-point pricing. 1. A pricing method that adds the price at the factory to the freight charges, which are calculated as the cost of shipping from a set location to the buyer’s location. • The chosen shipping base point may be the same for all customers, or it may be a specific, established location, such…

basement court.Slang. A low-level court of limited jurisdiction, such as a police court, traffic court, municipal court, or small-claims court.[Blacks Law 8th]

Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Waste and Their Disposal.A 1992 treaty establishing formal rules and procedures for the transportation and disposal of hazardous waste across national borders. • The United States had not ratified the treaty as of 2003. — Often shortened to Basel Convention.[Blacks Law 8th]

barter,n. The exchange of one commodity for another without the use of money. — barter,vb.[Blacks Law 8th]

baseline.Int’l law.The line that divides the land from the sea, by which the extent of a state’s coastal jurisdiction is measured. [Cases: International Law  7. C.J.S. International Law §§   23–24.][Blacks Law 8th]

holder in due course.A person who in good faith has given value for a negotiable instrument that is complete and regular on its face, is not overdue, and, to the possessor’s knowledge, has not been dishonored. • Under UCC § 3-302, a holder in due course takes the instrument free of all claims and personal…

barring of entail.The freeing of an estate from the limitations imposed by an entail and permitting its free disposition. • This was anciently done by means of a fine or common recovery, but later by a deed in which the tenant and next heir join. — Also termed breaking of entail; disentailment. See ENTAIL. [Cases:…

barrier to entry.An economic factor that makes it difficult for a business to enter a market and compete with existing businesses. “Strictly speaking, a barrier to entry is a condition that makes the long-run costs of a new entrant into a market higher than the long-run costs of the existing firms in the market; a…

barratry (bar-<<schwa>>-tree orbair-), n.1. Vexatious incitement to litigation, esp. by soliciting potential legal clients. • Barratry is a crime in most jurisdictions. A person who is hired by a lawyer to solicit business is called a capper. See CAPPER(1). [Cases: Champerty and Maintenance  4(.5), 5(.5), 9. C.J.S. Champerty and Maintenance, Barratry and Related Matters §§…

barrator (bar-<<schwa>>-t<<schwa>>r), n. A fomenter of quarrels and lawsuits; one who stirs up dissension and litigation among people. — Also spelled barretor. Cf. CHAMPERTOR. “Barrator or Barater (Fr. Barateur, a Deceiver) Is a common mover or maintainer of Suits, Quarrels, or Parts, either in Courts or elswhere in the Country, and is himself never quiet,…