Legal glossary for court interpreters

N

National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)

A federal agency which prevents and remedies unfair labor practices by employers and labor organizations

Naturalization

Process by which a person acquires nationality after birth and becomes entitled to privileges of citizenship.

Negligence

Failure to use care which a reasonable and prudent person would use under similar circumstances.

Negotiation

The process of submission and consideration of offers until an acceptable offer is made and accepted.

Next friend

One acting without formal appointment as guardian for the benefit of an infant, a person of unsound mind not judicially declared incompetent, or other person under some disability.

No Bill

This phrase, endorsed by a grand jury on the written indictment submitted to it for its approval, means that the evidence was found insufficient to indict.

No-contest Clause

Language in a will that provides that a person who makes a legal challenge to the will's validity will be disinherited.

No-fault Proceedings

A civil case in which parties may resolve their dispute without a formal finding of error or fault.

Noise Control Act

A act which gives government agencies the right to promulgate standards and regulations relating to abatement of noise emissions, i.e., requirement that autos and like vehicles must have mufflers.

Nonfeasance

Nonperformance of an act which should be performed; omission to perform a required duty or total neglect of duty.

Nonjury trial

Trial before the court but without a jury.

Notary Public

A public officer whose function it is to administer oaths, to attest and certify documents, and to take acknowledgments.

Notice

Formal notification to the party that has been sued in a civil case of the fact that the lawsuit has been filed. Also, any form of notification of a legal proceeding.

Notice to creditors

A notice given by the bankruptcy court to all creditors of a meeting of creditors.

Nuncupative will

An oral (unwritten) will.