declaration Hear it!

declaration definition - legal

n

  1. A statement made in connection with a case or legal matter, or intended to have a formal status or effect.
  2. A written document, synonymous in some jurisdictions with affidavit and in others (although antiquated) with complaint.
  3. A written document governing rights and obligations among property owners, as in declaration of condominium or declaration of covenants and restrictions.
declaration against interest
A statement that is assumed to be truthful because it is contrary to the declarant’s self-interest when made, and is therefore admissible in court as an exception to the hearsay rule. 
dying declaration
A statement that is assumed to be truthful because it is made by an individual aware of impending death (and thus thought to have no incentive to lie), and that is therefore admissible in court as an exception to the hearsay rule.

Webster's New World Law Dictionary Copyright © 2006 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Comments
Improve this definition.
Do you have more to add? Share your linguistic knowledge or observation.
/Register to save your comments.