Difference between revisions of "Terminology"

;family assets;Assets owned by either or both married spouses and subject to division between the two on the breakdown on their marriage. An asset owned solely by one spouse may be found to be a family asset if it is normally used for a family purpose. Family assets are presumed to be divided between the spouses on an equal basis under theFamily Relations Act. See “Business Assets,” “Gifts,” “Inheritances,” “‘Other’ Assets.”

;Family Relations Act;A provincial law that deals with: the division of property between married spouses&#59; custody, guardianship and access&#59; child support and spousal support&#59; and, personal and financial restraining orders.

;finding;A conclusion made by a judge, determinative of a point of law or a disputed fact.

;finding of law;A judge’s conclusion about the law to be applied to the facts of a case, or how the law should be applied to the facts of a case, made after hearing argument. See “Decision” and "Question of Law."

;fornication;Sex between two unmarried people. No longer a criminal offence, thankfully. See “Adultery.”

;forum;In law, a particular court or level of court, sometimes used in reference to the court's jurisdiction.

;foster care;A home where a child lives other than with his or her natural or adoptive parents. Such a situation usually arises when the child welfare authorities have apprehended a child or when a child's parents voluntarily give the child up. See "Apprehension."

;foster parent;An adult charged with the care of a child not his or her own natural or adoptive child, usually in the position of a guardian to the child, who receives money in exchange for caring for the child. See "Apprehension" and "Guardianship of the Person."

;friend of the court;See "Amicus Curiae."

;frivolous and vexatious;In law, a phrase describing actions, claims or applications clearly unsupported by the evidence or by the law. Such actions are considered to be a nuisance to the respondent and a waste of the court’s time. See “Action.”

;frustration;In contract law, an inability to complete or fulfill a contract, whether intentional or unintentional&#59; the intentional intereference with the rights of another under a contract or court order. In family law, the motivation for an application for anullment based on non-consumation of the marriage. A contract which cannot be completed or fulfilled is said to be “frustrated.”