Terms starting with "A"

Administrative Law Administrative law is the body of law governing government agencies, including their authority, procedures, decisions, and judicial review. It includes statutes that create agencies, regulations issued under delegated authority, and court decisions interpreting the limits on agency action. Administrative Procedure Administrative procedure refers to the rules and steps government agencies must follow when carrying out their duties, including rulemaking, hearings, adjudications, and public-record processes. The procedures an agency must use depend on its governing statute, the Administrative Procedure Act, and other applicable laws. Adjournment Sine Die An adjournment that terminates an annual session of Congress. A “sine die” (“without day”) adjournment sets no day for reconvening. Adjudication The legal process of resolving a dispute or deciding a case by a judge or administrative agency, resulting in a formal judgment or order. Act An act is a law enacted by a legislature. In the federal system, a bill generally becomes an act after it passes both chambers in identical form and is presented to the President for signature or another constitutionally permitted outcome. The word may also appear in the formal title of a statute. Action Codes Action Codes identify stages that condense detailed legislative action steps. Adjourn To adjourn is to end a meeting or sitting of a legislative body or court. A chamber may adjourn for the day, recess for a period, or adjourn at the end of a session. The procedural meaning depends on the body and the motion adopted. Adjourn Sine Die To adjourn sine die is to end a legislative session without setting a date for that session to reconvene. The phrase is Latin for “without a day.” A chamber may later meet in a new session or a new Congress, but the session that adjourned sine die has ended. Adjournment The formal conclusion of a legislative session or meeting. Congress can adjourn for short recesses, or 'sine die' (without a day set for reconvening), which marks the official end of a two-year congressional term. Abuse of Discretion Abuse of discretion is a legal standard used by an appellate court when reviewing certain decisions made by a trial court or agency. A reviewing court generally does not replace the original decision simply because it would have chosen differently; it asks whether the decision exceeded the range of permissible choices under the law and facts. Accord A formal agreement or treaty between nations, political parties, or groups. In international relations, it often refers to a political commitment that may not have the full legal binding force of a ratified treaty. Accountability Accountability means that people or institutions with public responsibilities must explain their decisions, follow applicable rules, and face review or consequences when they fail to meet their obligations. Government accountability can involve elections, audits, inspectors general, courts, legislative oversight, public records, and ethics rules.