Terms Used In Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Chapter 16 > Subchapter D - Miscellaneous Provisions

• Advice and consent: Under the Constitution, presidential nominations for executive and judicial posts take effect only when confirmed by the Senate, and international treaties become effective only when the Senate approves them by a two-thirds vote.
• Allegation: something that someone says happened.
• Amendment: A proposal to alter the text of a pending bill or other measure by striking out some of it, by inserting new language, or both. Before an amendment becomes part of the measure, thelegislature must agree to it.
• Answer: The formal written statement by a defendant responding to a civil complaint and setting forth the grounds for defense.
• Appeal: A request made after a trial, asking another court (usually the court of appeals) to decide whether the trial was conducted properly. To make such a request is "to appeal" or "to take an appeal." One who appeals is called the appellant.
• Appellate: About appeals; an appellate court has the power to review the judgement of another lower court or tribunal.
• Appraisal: A determination of property value.
• Assets: (1) The property comprising the estate of a deceased person, or (2) the property in a trust account.
• Association: means an entity governed as an association under Title 6 or 7. See Texas Business Organizations Code 1.002
• Attachment: A procedure by which a person's property is seized to pay judgments levied by the court.
• Bankruptcy: Refers to statutes and judicial proceedings involving persons or businesses that cannot pay their debts and seek the assistance of the court in getting a fresh start. Under the protection of the bankruptcy court, debtors may discharge their debts, perhaps by paying a portion of each debt. Bankruptcy judges preside over these proceedings.
• Bequest: Property gifted by will.
• Business: means a trade, occupation, profession, or other commercial activity. See Texas Business Organizations Code 1.002
• Certificate of formation: means :
  (A) the document required to be filed with the filing officer under Chapter 3 to form a filing entity; and
  (B) if appropriate, a restated certificate of formation and all amendments of an original or restated certificate of formation. See Texas Business Organizations Code 1.002
• Common law: The legal system that originated in England and is now in use in the United States. It is based on judicial decisions rather than legislative action.
• Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
• Comptroller: means the state comptroller of public accounts. See Texas Government Code 312.011
• Concurrent resolution: A legislative measure, designated "S. Con. Res." and numbered consecutively upon introduction, generally employed to address the sentiments of both chambers, to deal with issues or matters affecting both houses, such as a concurrent budget resolution, or to create a temporary joint committee. Concurrent resolutions are not submitted to the President/Governor and thus do not have the force of law.
• Continuance: Putting off of a hearing ot trial until a later time.
• Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
• Conversion: means :
  (A) the continuance of a domestic entity as a non-code organization of any type;
  (B) the continuance of a non-code organization as a domestic entity of any type;
  (C) the continuance of a domestic entity of one type as a domestic entity of another type;
  (D) the continuance of a domestic entity of one type as a foreign entity of the same type that may be treated as a domestication, continuance, or transfer transaction under the laws of the jurisdiction of formation of the foreign entity; or
  (E) the continuance of a foreign entity of one type as a domestic entity of the same type that may be treated as a domestication, continuance, or transfer transaction under the laws of the jurisdiction of formation of the foreign entity. See Texas Business Organizations Code 1.002
• Converted entity: means an organization resulting from a conversion. See Texas Business Organizations Code 1.002
• Converting entity: means an organization as the organization existed before the organization's conversion. See Texas Business Organizations Code 1.002
• Conviction: A judgement of guilt against a criminal defendant.
• Corporation: A legal entity owned by the holders of shares of stock that have been issued, and that can own, receive, and transfer property, and carry on business in its own name.
• Corporation: means an entity governed as a corporation under Title 2 or 7. See Texas Business Organizations Code 1.002
• Counterclaim: A claim that a defendant makes against a plaintiff.
• Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
• Decedent: A deceased person.
• Deed: The legal instrument used to transfer title in real property from one person to another.
• Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
• Defense attorney: Represent defendants in criminal matters.
• Dependent: A person dependent for support upon another.
• Devise: To gift property by will.
• Director: means an individual who serves on the board of directors of a foreign or domestic corporation. See Texas Business Organizations Code 1.002
• Discovery: Lawyers' examination, before trial, of facts and documents in possession of the opponents to help the lawyers prepare for trial.
• Dismissal: The dropping of a case by the judge without further consideration or hearing. ^Source:
• Docket: A log containing brief entries of court proceedings.
• Domestic: means , with respect to an entity, that the entity is formed under this code or the entity's internal affairs are governed by this code. See Texas Business Organizations Code 1.002
• Domestic entity: means an organization formed under or the internal affairs of which are governed by this code. See Texas Business Organizations Code 1.002
• Electronic transmission: means a form of communication, including communication by use of or participation in one or more electronic data systems, that:
  (A) does not directly involve the physical transmission of paper;
  (B) creates a record that may be retained, retrieved, and reviewed by the recipient; and
  (C) may be directly reproduced in paper form by the recipient through an automated process. See Texas Business Organizations Code 1.002
• Embezzlement: In most states, embezzlement is defined as theft/larceny of assets (money or property) by a person in a position of trust or responsibility over those assets. Embezzlement typically occurs in the employment and corporate settings. ^{Source: OCC}
• Entity: means a domestic entity or foreign entity. See Texas Business Organizations Code 1.002
• Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
• Ex officio: Literally, by virtue of one's office.
• Executor: A male person named in a will to carry out the decedent
• Fictitious name: means an assumed name:
  (A) that a foreign filing entity adopts for use because the name of the entity as stated in the entity's certificate of formation or similar organizational instrument is not available for use under the laws of this state; and
  (B) under which the foreign filing entity is registered to transact business in this state, in accordance with Chapter 9. See Texas Business Organizations Code 1.002
• Fiduciary: A trustee, executor, or administrator.
• Filing entity: means a domestic entity that is a corporation, limited partnership, limited liability company, professional association, cooperative, or real estate investment trust. See Texas Business Organizations Code 1.002
• Filing instrument: means an instrument, document, consent, or statement that is required or authorized by this code to be filed by or for an entity with the filing officer in accordance with Chapter 4. See Texas Business Organizations Code 1.002
• Filing officer: means :
  (A) with respect to an entity other than a domestic real estate investment trust, the secretary of state; or
  (B) with respect to a domestic real estate investment trust, the county clerk of the county in which the real estate investment trust's principal office is located in this state. See Texas Business Organizations Code 1.002
• Fiscal year: The fiscal year is the accounting period for the government. For the federal government, this begins on October 1 and ends on September 30. The fiscal year is designated by the calendar year in which it ends; for example, fiscal year 2006 begins on October 1, 2005 and ends on September 30, 2006.
• For-profit entity: means an entity other than a nonprofit entity. See Texas Business Organizations Code 1.002
• Foreign: means , with respect to an entity, that the entity is formed under, and the entity's internal affairs are governed by, the laws of a jurisdiction other than this state. See Texas Business Organizations Code 1.002
• Foreign entity: means an organization formed under, and the internal affairs of which are governed by, the laws of a jurisdiction other than this state. See Texas Business Organizations Code 1.002
• Foreign filing entity: means a foreign entity, other than a foreign limited liability partnership, that registers or is required to register as a foreign entity under Chapter 9. See Texas Business Organizations Code 1.002
• Fraud: Intentional deception resulting in injury to another.
• General partner: means :
  (A) each partner in a general partnership; or
  (B) a person who has become, and has not ceased to be, a general partner in a limited partnership in accordance with the governing documents of the limited partnership or this code. See Texas Business Organizations Code 1.002
• General partnership: means a partnership governed as a general partnership under Chapter 152. See Texas Business Organizations Code 1.002
• Gift: A voluntary transfer or conveyance of property without consideration, or for less than full and adequate consideration based on fair market value.
• Governing authority: means a person or group of persons who are entitled to manage and direct the affairs of an entity under this code and the governing documents of the entity, except that if the governing documents of the entity or this code divide the authority to manage and direct the affairs of the entity among different persons or groups of persons according to different matters, "governing authority" means the person or group of persons entitled to manage and direct the affairs of the entity with respect to a matter under the governing documents of the entity or this code. See Texas Business Organizations Code 1.002
• Governing documents: means :
  (A) in the case of a domestic entity:
  (i) the certificate of formation for a domestic filing entity or the document or agreement under which a domestic nonfiling entity is formed; and
  (ii) the other documents or agreements adopted by the entity under this code to govern the formation or the internal affairs of the entity; or
  (B) in the case of a foreign entity, the instruments, documents, or agreements adopted under the law of its jurisdiction of formation to govern the formation or the internal affairs of the entity. See Texas Business Organizations Code 1.002
• Governing person: means a person serving as part of the governing authority of an entity. See Texas Business Organizations Code 1.002
• in writing: includes any representation of words, letters, or figures, whether by writing, printing, or other means. See Texas Government Code 312.011
• Indemnification: In general, a collateral contract or assurance under which one person agrees to secure another person against either anticipated financial losses or potential adverse legal consequences. ^{Source: FDIC}
• Interest exchange: means the acquisition of an ownership or membership interest in a domestic entity as provided by Subchapter Texas Business Organizations Code 1.002
• Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
• Jurisdiction of formation: means :
  (A) in the case of a domestic filing entity, this state;
  (B) in the case of a foreign entity for which a certificate of formation or similar organizational instrument is filed in connection with its formation, the jurisdiction in which the entity's certificate of formation or similar organizational instrument is filed; or
  (C) in the case of a domestic nonfiling entity or a foreign entity for which a certificate of formation or similar organizational instrument is not filed in connection with its formation:
  (i) the jurisdiction the laws of which are chosen in the entity's governing documents to govern its internal affairs if that jurisdiction bears a reasonable relation to the owners or members or to the entity's business and affairs under the principles of this state that otherwise would apply to a contract among the owners or members; or
  (ii) if Subparagraph (i) does not apply, the jurisdiction in which the entity has its chief executive office. See Texas Business Organizations Code 1.002
• Jurisprudence: The study of law and the structure of the legal system.
• Juror: A person who is on the jury.
• Justice: when applied to a magistrate, means justice of the peace. See Texas Government Code 312.011
• Law: means , unless the context requires otherwise, both statutory and common law. See Texas Business Organizations Code 1.002
• Lease: A contract transferring the use of property or occupancy of land, space, structures, or equipment in consideration of a payment (e.g., rent). ^{Source: OCC}
• Liabilities: The aggregate of all debts and other legal obligations of a particular person or legal entity.
• Lien: A claim against real or personal property in satisfaction of a debt.
• Limited liability company: means an entity governed as a limited liability company under Title 3 or 7. See Texas Business Organizations Code 1.002
• Limited liability partnership: means a partnership governed as a limited liability partnership under Title 4. See Texas Business Organizations Code 1.002
• Limited partnership: means a partnership that is governed as a limited partnership under Title 4 and that has one or more general partners and one or more limited partners. See Texas Business Organizations Code 1.002
• Litigation: A case, controversy, or lawsuit. Participants (plaintiffs and defendants) in lawsuits are called litigants.
• Managerial official: means an officer or a governing person. See Texas Business Organizations Code 1.002
• Member: means :
  (A) in the case of a limited liability company, a person who has become, and has not ceased to be, a member in the limited liability company as provided by its governing documents or this code;
  (B) in the case of a nonprofit corporation, a person who has membership rights in the nonprofit corporation under its governing documents;
  (C) in the case of a cooperative association, a member of a nonshare or share association;
  (D) in the case of a nonprofit association, a person who has membership rights in the nonprofit association under its governing documents; or
  (E) in the case of a professional association, a person who has membership rights in the professional association under its governing documents. See Texas Business Organizations Code 1.002
• Membership interest: means a member's interest in an entity. See Texas Business Organizations Code 1.002
• Merger: means :
  (A) the division of a domestic entity into two or more new domestic entities or other organizations or into a surviving domestic entity and one or more new domestic or foreign entities or non-code organizations; or
  (B) the combination of one or more domestic entities with one or more domestic entities or non-code organizations resulting in:
  (i) one or more surviving domestic entities or non-code organizations;
  (ii) the creation of one or more new domestic entities or non-code organizations; or
  (iii) one or more surviving domestic entities or non-code organizations and the creation of one or more new domestic entities or non-code organizations. See Texas Business Organizations Code 1.002
• Mortgage: The written agreement pledging property to a creditor as collateral for a loan.
• Mortgagee: The person to whom property is mortgaged and who has loaned the money.
• Nolo contendere: No contest-has the same effect as a plea of guilty, as far as the criminal sentence is concerned, but may not be considered as an admission of guilt for any other purpose.
• Non-code organization: means an organization other than a domestic entity. See Texas Business Organizations Code 1.002
• Nonfiling entity: means a domestic entity that is not a filing entity. See Texas Business Organizations Code 1.002
• Nonprofit association: means an association governed as a nonprofit association under Chapter 252. See Texas Business Organizations Code 1.002
• Nonprofit corporation: means a corporation governed as a nonprofit corporation under Chapter 22. See Texas Business Organizations Code 1.002
• Obligation: An order placed, contract awarded, service received, or similar transaction during a given period that will require payments during the same or a future period.
• Officer: means an individual elected, appointed, or designated as an officer of an entity by the entity's governing authority or under the entity's governing documents. See Texas Business Organizations Code 1.002
• Organization: means a corporation, limited or general partnership, limited liability company, business trust, real estate investment trust, joint venture, joint stock company, cooperative, association, bank, insurance company, credit union, savings and loan association, or other organization, regardless of whether the organization is for-profit, nonprofit, domestic, or foreign. See Texas Business Organizations Code 1.002
• Oversight: Committee review of the activities of a Federal agency or program.
• Owner liability: means personal liability for a liability or other obligation of an organization that is imposed on a person:
  (A) by statute solely because of the person's status as an owner or member of the organization; or
  (B) by a governing document of an organization under a provision of this code or the law of the organization's jurisdiction of formation that authorizes the governing document to make one or more specified owners or members of the organization liable in their capacity as owners or members for all or specified liabilities or other obligations of the organization. See Texas Business Organizations Code 1.002
• Ownership interest: means an owner's interest in an entity. See Texas Business Organizations Code 1.002
• Parent: means an organization that, directly or indirectly through or with one or more of its subsidiaries:
  (A) owns at least 50 percent of the outstanding ownership or membership interests of another organization; or
  (B) possesses at least 50 percent of the voting power of the owners or members of another organization. See Texas Business Organizations Code 1.002
• Partner: means a limited partner or general partner. See Texas Business Organizations Code 1.002
• Partnership: A voluntary contract between two or more persons to pool some or all of their assets into a business, with the agreement that there will be a proportional sharing of profits and losses.
• Partnership: means an entity governed as a partnership under Title 4. See Texas Business Organizations Code 1.002
• Partnership interest: means a partner's interest in a partnership. See Texas Business Organizations Code 1.002
• Party to the merger: means a domestic entity or non-code organization that under a plan of merger is divided or combined by a merger. See Texas Business Organizations Code 1.002
• Person: means an individual or a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, business trust, trust, association, or other organization, estate, government or governmental subdivision or agency, or other legal entity, or a protected series or registered series of a domestic limited liability company or foreign entity. See Texas Business Organizations Code 1.002
• Person: includes corporation, organization, government or governmental subdivision or agency, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, association, and any other legal entity. See Texas Government Code 311.005
• Personal property: All property that is not real property.
• Plan of conversion: means a document that conforms with the requirements of § 10. See Texas Business Organizations Code 1.002
• Plan of exchange: means a document that conforms with the requirements of § 10. See Texas Business Organizations Code 1.002
• Plan of merger: means a document that conforms with the requirements of Sections Texas Business Organizations Code 1.002
• Plea: In a criminal case, the defendant's statement pleading "guilty" or "not guilty" in answer to the charges, a declaration made in open court.
• Population: means the population shown by the most recent federal decennial census. See Texas Government Code 311.005
• Precedent: A court decision in an earlier case with facts and law similar to a dispute currently before a court. Precedent will ordinarily govern the decision of a later similar case, unless a party can show that it was wrongly decided or that it differed in some significant way.
• Presiding officer: A majority-party Senator who presides over the Senate and is charged with maintaining order and decorum, recognizing Members to speak, and interpreting the Senate's rules, practices and precedents.
• Probate: Proving a will
• Probation: A sentencing alternative to imprisonment in which the court releases convicted defendants under supervision as long as certain conditions are observed.
• Property: includes tangible and intangible property and an interest in that property. See Texas Business Organizations Code 1.002
• Property: means real and personal property. See Texas Government Code 311.005
• Prosecute: To charge someone with a crime. A prosecutor tries a criminal case on behalf of the government.
• Public defender: Represent defendants who can't afford an attorney in criminal matters.
• Quorum: The number of legislators that must be present to do business.
• Real estate investment trust: means an entity governed as a real estate investment trust under Title 5. See Texas Business Organizations Code 1.002
• Real property: Land, and all immovable fixtures erected on, growing on, or affixed to the land.
• Remainder: An interest in property that takes effect in the future at a specified time or after the occurrence of some event, such as the death of a life tenant.
• Remand: When an appellate court sends a case back to a lower court for further proceedings.
• Rule: includes regulation. See Texas Government Code 311.005
• Secretary: means the:
  (A) individual designated as secretary of an entity under the entity's governing documents; or
  (B) officer or committee of persons authorized to perform the functions of secretary of an entity without regard to the designated name of the officer or committee. See Texas Business Organizations Code 1.002
• Service of process: The service of writs or summonses to the appropriate party.
• Settlement: Parties to a lawsuit resolve their difference without having a trial. Settlements often involve the payment of compensation by one party in satisfaction of the other party's claims.
• Signed: includes any symbol executed or adopted by a person with present intention to authenticate a writing. See Texas Government Code 311.005
• Statute: A law passed by a legislature.
• Statute of limitations: A law that sets the time within which parties must take action to enforce their rights.
• Subpoena: A command to a witness to appear and give testimony.
• Subsidiary: means an organization for which another organization, either directly or indirectly through or with one or more of its other subsidiaries:
  (A) owns at least 50 percent of the outstanding ownership or membership interests of the organization; or
  (B) possesses at least 50 percent of the voting power of the owners or members of the organization. See Texas Business Organizations Code 1.002
• Succeeding: means immediately following. See Texas Government Code 312.011
• sworn: includes affirm or affirmed. See Texas Government Code 312.011
• Testimony: Evidence presented orally by witnesses during trials or before grand juries.
• Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
• Trustee: A person or institution holding and administering property in trust.
• United States: includes a department, bureau, or other agency of the United States of America. See Texas Government Code 311.005
• Venue: The geographical location in which a case is tried.
• Week: means seven consecutive days. See Texas Government Code 311.005
• written: means an expression of words, letters, characters, numbers, symbols, figures, or other textual information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or that is stored in an electronic or other medium that is retrievable in a perceivable form. See Texas Business Organizations Code 1.002
• Written: includes any representation of words, letters, symbols, or figures. See Texas Government Code 311.005
• Year: means 12 consecutive months. See Texas Government Code 311.005