Simple English definitions for legal terms
Read a random definition: per curiam
Legal subrogation is when one party pays the debt of another party and is then entitled to the same rights and remedies that the original debtor had. For example, if someone pays off a debt for someone else, they can then go after the debtor to get their money back. This can happen by contract or by law to prevent fraud or injustice. It's like stepping into someone else's shoes to get what they were entitled to.
Legal subrogation is a legal term that refers to the substitution of one party for another whose debt the party pays. This entitles the paying party to rights, remedies, or securities that would otherwise belong to the debtor. For example, a surety who has paid a debt is entitled to any security for the debt held by the creditor and the benefit of any judgment the creditor has against the debtor, and may proceed against the debtor as the creditor would.
There are two types of subrogation: conventional subrogation and legal subrogation. Conventional subrogation arises by contract or by an express act of the parties. Legal subrogation arises by operation of law or by implication in equity to prevent fraud or injustice.
Legal subrogation usually arises when:
For instance, if an insurance company pays for damages caused by a third party to their client, the insurance company is entitled to all the rights and remedies belonging to the insured against the third party with respect to any loss covered by the policy. This is an example of legal subrogation.