Simple English definitions for legal terms
Read a random definition: natural duty
Lie: When someone says something that is not true, they are lying. This is like when you tell your mom you didn't eat the last cookie, but you really did. Lying is not a good thing to do and can get you in trouble. However, the word "lie" can also mean something different in the law. It means that there is a legal way to solve a problem or take action. For example, if someone hurts you, you can take legal action against them. This is called a "tort" and it "lies" in the law. Lastly, "lie" can also mean where something exists or belongs. For example, the final decision in a court case "lies" with the Supreme Court, which means they have the power to make the final decision.
Lie is a verb that means to say something that is not true. For example, if someone says they did their homework when they really didn't, they are lying.
Lie can also mean to have a basis in the law or to exist in a certain place. For example, if someone takes legal action against another person, they may say that their case "lies in tort."
Examples:
The first example shows how lying means saying something that is not true. The second example shows how lying can be illegal, in this case, perjury. The third example shows how lying can mean something exists or resides in a certain place, in this case, the responsibility for making a decision.