Glossary of Legal Terms

Interment means placing human remains in a grave, tomb, niche, or similar resting place. It is one of the recognized forms of final disposition.

A person dies intestate when they die without a valid will. In British Columbia, the estate is then distributed according to the Wills, Estates and Succession Act.

Joint tenancy is a form of co-ownership where two or more owners hold the property together with a right of survivorship. When one joint tenant dies, that person’s interest usually passes to the survivor or survivors.

A judicial case conference is a court meeting with a judge to discuss the issues in a family law case, settlement possibilities, and next steps. It is often used to help move a case forward before trial.

The Land Owner Transparency Registry is the B.C. registry created to collect information about individuals who have indirect interests in land through certain ownership structures. It is intended to improve transparency of land ownership.

A lease is a legal agreement giving a tenant the right to occupy or use property for a set period on agreed terms. It can apply to residential, commercial, or other property.

Leasehold refers to an interest in property held under a lease rather than full ownership. The rights are limited by the lease terms and duration.

A legal description is the unique text description used to identify a parcel of land in British Columbia. It often includes a lot number, plan number, district lot, or other survey-based identifiers.

A lien is a legal claim registered or asserted against property to help secure payment of a debt or obligation. A builder’s lien is one common example.

Mediation is a process where a neutral third party helps people try to resolve family law issues without a contested court hearing. A mediator does not decide the dispute for the parties.

A mortgage is a legal charge on land that secures a loan. In simple terms, it lets a lender use the property as security and may give the lender legal remedies if the loan is not paid.

A name reservation is the process of requesting approval to use a specific company name before incorporation or another filing. The registry reviews whether the proposed name can be used.

The notice of articles is the corporate record that sets out key information about a B.C. company. It includes details such as the company name, directors, office addresses, and share structure.

A notice of change of address is the filing used to update the registry when a company changes its registered office, records office, or related addresses.

A notice of change of directors is the filing used to update the registry when directors are appointed, removed, or when their information changes.

An obituary is the public notice or written tribute announcing a person’s death and often giving biographical details and service information. It is not a legal document, but it commonly forms part of after-death arrangements.

An offer to purchase is the written proposal a buyer makes to buy a property on stated terms and conditions. If accepted, it usually forms a binding contract.

An officer is a person appointed to carry out the day-to-day management or specific functions of a company, such as a president, secretary, or treasurer. Officers are different from directors, although one person can hold both roles.

An ordinary resolution is a type of corporate resolution passed by the level of approval required for ordinary business under the applicable law or corporate documents. It is generally used for matters that do not require a special resolution.

Palliative care is care focused on comfort, quality of life, and support for a person facing a serious illness. It may be relevant in end-of-life planning discussions.