Also known as: lex · laws
Written by attorneys · grounded in primary & secondary sources — see below
A Latin term for laws or statutes. The plural form encompasses enacted rules that bind persons within a jurisdiction and supply the substantive basis for rights, duties, and remedies.
Lance Lee was born in a U.S. hospital to parents lawfully present in the country. When state officials denied him a passport, he sued under the leges of the United States. The court held that his birth within the United States and subjection to its jurisdiction established citizenship, so the state could not abridge his privileges.
Lena Lawson alleged that federal agents violated her Fourth Amendment rights during a search. She filed suit in district court seeking damages directly under the Constitution even though no statute expressly created a remedy. The court found federal question jurisdiction because her claim arose under federal leges.
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Luke Latham sued a federal agency in state court over a regulatory fine. The agency removed the case, asserting that the claim arose under federal leges. The district court accepted jurisdiction under the statute granting original authority over civil actions arising under the Constitution and laws of the United States.
Lars Lindstrom and his former spouse litigated custody in State A, which had jurisdiction under the uniform act. After the court issued its order, the father moved to State B and sought modification. State B courts treated the prior determination as conclusive under the leges because all parties had received notice and an opportunity to be heard.
Logan Lane sought to increase his ex-spouse's maintenance obligation five years after the divorce decree. He showed that his former spouse's income had tripled and medical costs had risen sharply. The court modified only future installments after finding changed circumstances so substantial as to render the original terms unconscionable under the governing leges.
Luis Lopez and his partner formed a common law marriage while living in a state that still recognized such unions. After moving to a state that had abolished common law marriage, they sought marital benefits. The new state courts upheld the marriage because the leges of the first state validly created the status.
The term denotes laws or statutes enacted by a competent authority. It appears in older opinions and treatises to refer collectively to the body of positive law governing rights and duties.
Supporting sources
A civil action arises under federal leges when the plaintiff's right to relief depends on the Constitution or federal statutes. Jurisdiction exists even without an express private cause of action if the claim is founded directly on those laws.
Modification is permitted only as to installments accruing after the motion and only upon proof of changed circumstances so substantial and continuing that the original terms have become unconscionable. Property divisions remain final absent grounds to reopen the judgment.
…of State. The argument upon the first question was derived from the principles and practice of England and the Constitution and laws of the United States. As the supreme court and by reason of its supremacy it must have superintendence of inferior tribunals and officers, whether judicial or ministerial; from this…