Detinue: Tort involving the defendant”s retention of property belonging to the plaintiff after the plaintiff has demanded its return. The plaintiff may seek damages for the period of possession, even without proving any actual loss.
Development
The legal definition of development is “the carrying out of building, mining, engineering or other operations in, on, under or over land, and the making of any material change in the use of buildings or other land” (Sec 55 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990), this covers virtually all construction activities and changes of use.
Development Control/Management
The process whereby a local planning authority determines planning applications. In dealing with planning applications authorities have regard to relevant development plan policies, any local financial considerations and any other material considerations.
development plans
development plans
Devise
Devise: Transfer or conveyance of real property by will. The person who receives such property is called the devisee.
Directive (EU)
An EU legislative act that sets out a goal that all EU countries must achieve. (It is up to the individual countries to devise their own laws on how to reach these goals)
Director of Public Prosecutions
Director of Public Prosecutions: Independent official who decides whether to prosecute in criminal cases and in whose name all criminal prosecutions are taken.
Discovery
Discovery: Sworn disclosure of documents and records. Certain types of document which are “privileged” need not be discovered, but they must be identified to the other side.
Display Screen Equipment
A device that has an alphanumeric or graphic display screen, such as a computer monitor.
Distraint
Distraint: Seizure of personal property to compel a person to fulfil a legal obligation. Formerly landlords had the power to distrain against the property of a tenant for arrears of rent or other default, but such action is now forbidden in relation to premises let solely as a dwelling. A legal action for the restoration of goods that have been distrained is called replevin.
