| Mandatory Arbitration Clauses |
|
| Contracts often include arbitration clauses. Arbitration is a method of alternative dispute resolution. The arbitration process is less formal than a trial, and the dispute is resolved much more quickly than traditional litigation. Arbitration clauses require a dispute to be submitted to arbitration instead of filing a lawsuit. The arbitrator's decision is final and binding on the parties. Some legal commentators claim that mandatory arbitration clauses undermine consumer rights. This article discusses the impact of mandatory arbitration clauses on consumers. More... |
|
|
| DNA Testing |
|
| DNA is genetic material that controls inherited traits such as eye color, hair color, and bone density. DNA testing is used to match a sample of evidence (sperm, blood, saliva, skin, or hair) from the crime scene to a suspect. Current DNA techniques are so sophisticated that one person can be differentiated from all other living persons by analyzing DNA from a single strand of hair. DNA testing is especially helpful in solving rape and murder crimes and in exonerating wrongly convicted prisoners.
More... |
|
|
| Personal Representatives |
|
| When a person dies, state law establishes legal procedures for settling the deceased person's estate. This process is called probate. If the person has a will, he/she may name someone to serve as personal representative. A personal representative is the executor or administrator of a deceased person's estate. In some states, the terms executor and administrator are used in place of personal representative. If no personal representative is specified by will or if the person dies intestate (without a will), the probate court will appoint someone to serve as personal representative.
More... |
|
|
| Preclusion and Effect of a Judgment in a Civil Lawsuit |
|
| There are several doctrines of preclusion in civil procedure. Some of these doctrines are res judicata, collateral estoppel, judicial estoppel, full faith and credit and law of the case.
More... |
|
|
| Unbundled Legal Services |
|
| In October 2000, a national conference was held on unbundled legal services. A website, www.unbundledlaw.org, was created by the Maryland Legal Assistance Network as a result of the conference. Unbundled legal services, also called limited scope legal assistance, provide a new model for legal representation for low and moderate income individuals. A client (usually a pro se or self-representing client) hires an attorney to perform a specific task or tasks for the client. The client represents himself/herself in all other aspects of the case. More... |
|
|