Articles of law By Bhag Singh (PAGE 09)

1. Sometimes there is no remedy
   28/03/2006  The Star
   There are many daily events that can be a source of annoyance, disrupt the daily life of a person, cause damage and loss of opportunity if not actual direct pecuniary loss. Yet, it is not always possible to obtain legal remedy. This is because what is in law called a cause of action, does not exist or where it does, it may not be practical to pursue one's legal rights.
    

2. Creating power of attorney
   04/04/2006  The Star
   In this present age almost everyone depends on other professionals to attend to different tasks. The entrustment of such tasks to others is due either to necessity or convenience. Whatever the reason for such entrustment of work to others, it involves creating an appointment where such persons are referred to as agents or attorneys. In other cases, the word Power of Attorney is used.
    
3. Risks of being a guarantor
   18/04/2006  The Star
   WHILST many people are careful, a guarantee is sometimes signed without really checking out all the implications that can arise. Perhaps the commonly-held perception that it is only an obligation to pay when the actual borrower fails and the assumption that the borrower will not let the guarantor down usually leads to the belief that problems will not arise.
    
4. Default judgement
   09/05/2006  The Star
   A READER wants to know what a default judgement is and whether it is as good as an ordinary judgement. The word default judgement when used in the context of the Courts and decisions made by the Courts has a somewhat technical meaning. Its implication can differ depending on different circumstances.
    
5. Made a bankrupt
   16/05/2006  The Star
   THE word “bankrupt” is used in more ways than one. Its general meaning according to the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary is “completely lacking in anything that has value”. Thus a person criticised may be said to be bankrupt of ideas. However, it is more in relation to money and ability to pay debts that the word bankrupt and bankruptcy is used. Thus the same dictionary gives the meaning of this word as “without enough money to pay what you owe”.
    
6. Reluctant witness
   06/06/2006  The Star
   A PERSON may be called to go to court as a witness to give evidence. There are different consequences and implications that arise. A witness may be required to give evidence on a matter which he/she has personal knowledge of or just to produce a document which is in his/her possession.
    
7. Banks and borrowers
   13/06/2006  The Star
   IN THE credit-oriented society that we live in, getting indebted whether through purchase of goods or services on credit or direct advances of money is becoming an entrenched feature of life. It is an occasion to rejoice when money comes into a person’s hands even though it is a loan. However, the pain can start when it has to be paid back and the ability to do so is restricted or for some reason diminished.
    
8. Lodging false reports
   27/06/2006  The Star
   A reader is concerned over a statement made by a former high official that ”if someone feels strongly about anything, a report should be lodged with the police or the ACA. But if they find that the report is wrong, he will be charged, so one must be sure of what one is saying.”  The reader believes that lodging a report is the duty of anyone who knows of the occurrence of a wrongdoing. And what better deed than to make a report to the police? But how is one to be sure of the facts at this stage?
    
9. Mere words
   04/07/2006  The Star
   THE choice of words used can create different messages. Based on what has been said by one party, the other may become entitled to some rights or exposed to obligations. However, sometimes when the time comes to assert the rights based on such words the person who made them for himself or on behalf of an organisation may deny making such statements.
    
10.  Legal costs
    11/07/2006  The Star
    PAYMENT of legal fees and costs is always a subject of considerable interest to the public. Having to deal with a lawyer is no longer a rare occurrence and the subject of legal fees has become even more talked about. Whilst in most cases it is a matter of agreement between the parties as to the fees payable, there are also many situations where disputes arise or there is an inability to agree.