Law Dictionary Definitions

ripper act.Slang. A statute that gives a government’s chief executive broad powers to appoint and remove department heads or other subordinate officials. [Blacks Law 8th]

ripeness,n.1. The circumstance existing when a case has reached, but has not passed, the point when the facts have developed sufficiently to permit an intelligent and useful decision to be made. 2. The requirement that this circumstance must exist before a court will decide a controversy. See JUSTICIABILITY. Cf. MOOTNESS DOCTRINE; PREMATURITY(1). [Cases: Action 6;…

riparian-rights doctrine.The rule that owners of land bordering on a waterway have equal rights to use the water passing through or by their property. Cf. PRIOR-APPROPRIATION DOCTRINE. [Cases: Navigable Waters 39; Waters and Water Courses 40. C.J.S. Navigable Waters § 82; Waters§ 12.] [Blacks Law 8th]

riparian right.(often pl.) The right of a landowner whose property borders on a body of water or watercourse. • Such a landowner traditionally has the right to make reasonable use of the water. — Also termed water right. [Cases: Navigable Waters 39–46; Waters and Water Courses 34–47. C.J.S. Navigable Waters §§ 82–102, 111, 126–131, 134;…

riparian proprietor.A person who is in possession of riparian land or who owns an estate in it; a landowner whose property borders on a stream or river. See riparian land under LAND. [Cases: Navigable Waters 39(1); Waters and Water Courses 39. C.J.S. Navigable Waters § 83; Waters § 11.] [Blacks Law 8th]

riparian land.See LAND. [Blacks Law 8th]

riparian (ri-pair-ee-<<schwa>>n or rI-), adj. Of, relating to, or located on the bank of a river or stream (or occasionally another body of water, such as a lake) <riparian land> <a riparian owner>. Cf. LITTORAL. [Cases: Navigable Waters 39–46; Waters and Water Courses 34–49, 109. C.J.S. Navigable Waters §§ 82–102, 111, 126–131, 134; Waters §§…

ripae muniendae causa (rI-pee myoo-nee-en-dee kaw-z<<schwa>>). [Latin] Hist. For the purpose of strengthening a riverbank. [Blacks Law 8th]

riotous assembly.See ASSEMBLY. [Blacks Law 8th]

Riot Act.A 1714 English statute that made it a capital offense for 12 or more rioters to continue together for an hour after a magistrate has officially proclaimed that rioters must disperse. • This statute was not generally accepted in the United States and did not become a part of American common law. It did,…