Terminology: Difference between revisions

;indemnify:To make good a loss or harm suffered by another.

;infant:A person not yet of the age of majority; a minor; a child. See "Age of Majority," "Child" and "Disability."

;Infants Act:A provincial law that governs the legal capacity of minors and contracts involving minors.

;inheritance:Real property or personal property received as a result of the provisions of a will or the Estate Administration Act. Inheritances do not usually qualify as family assets subject to division between spouses. See “Family Assets,” “Real Property” and “Will.”

;injunction:An order that someone not do or cease doing a thing; a restraining order. In family law, injunctions are often sought, for example, to stop someone from moving with the children, disposing of assets or harassing someone else. See “Application” and “Ex Parte.”

;in loco parentis:A Latin phrase meaning “in the place of a parent.” Acting as a parent in the place of the child’s natural parent or intending to stand in the place of that parent. A person found to be in loco parentis to a child may be responsible to pay child support for that child and may have certain rights with respect to the health and welfare of the child. See “Natural Parent” and “Step-Parent.”

;in personam:A Latin phrase meaning “against the person.” A right against a person as opposed to against a thing.

;in rem:A Latin phrase meaning “against the thing.” Refers to a right against objects or property rather than against a person.

;inspection of documents:The right of a party to look at and copy documents held by the other party which relate to issues in the action; part of the discovery and production process. See “Discovery, Disclosure and Production.”

;instructions:In law, the directions given by a client to his or her lawyer about the conduct of his or her case.

;instrument:In law, a legal document which sets out certain rights and obligations, or records certain facts or entitlements to certain benefits and obligations. See “Family Law Agreements.”

;inter alia:A Latin phrase meaning “among other things.”

;interim application:An application made after the commencement of a legal action but before its conclusion, usually for temporary relief pending the final resolution of the matter at trial or by settlement without trial. In family law, interim applications are useful to establish certain ground rules between the parties, and determine issues like child custody, child and spousal support on a quick and temporary basis. Also called an “interlocutory application.” See “Application” and “Interim Order.”

;interim order:Any order made prior to the final resolution of a legal action by trial or by settlement before trial; a temporary, rather than permanent or final order. See “Application” and “Interim Application.”

;interlocutory:Literally, “between speakings;” refers to interim applications brought after the commencement of a legal action but before its conclusion. See “Interim Application” and “Interim Order.”

;interrogatories:Written questions are given by one party to the other which must be answered on affirmation or oath or in affidavit form; part of the discovery process. See also “Discovery, Disclosure and Production.”

;intestate:Dying without a will. In such circumstances, the distribution of the dead person’s estate is governed by theEstate Administration Act. See also “Estate,” "Inheritance" and “Will.”

;in the alternative:A phrase used to indicate secondary relief or a secondary ground of relief, usually presented as an option to the primary relief or primary ground of relief claimed. See “Motion,” “Pleadings” and “Relief.”

;in trust:A phrase describing property held by one person for the benefit of another person who is ultimately entitled to the property. Money held in trust is held in a lawyer's bank account on the lawyer’s promise not to use that money except as may be agreed.

;in utero:A Latin phrase meaning “in the womb.” Used in reference to fetuses.