Also known as: stat · statute · statutes · statutory
Written by attorneys · grounded in primary & secondary sources — see below
A conventional abbreviation for statute in legal citations and texts.
Select any source to read its text and confirm it supports the definition.
Sebastian Santos contracted to buy a warehouse from Sapphire Holdings. Before closing a storm destroyed the roof. Under the majority rule stated in the governing stat. the risk had already passed to Sebastian at formation so he remained obligated to pay the full price while Sapphire held title only as trustee.
Stephen Shaw leased an office to Starlight Media under an agreement that either party could end the relationship at any time. When Starlight gave notice the tenancy terminated after the statutory notice period required by local law under the applicable stat.
Scott Summers created a revocable trust that held most of his assets. After his death his probate estate proved insufficient so the trust property became subject to claims by his creditors and estate administration expenses under the governing stat.
Sylvia Santos petitioned to adopt a child in the county where she had resided for six months. Because adoption jurisdiction is governed by the stat. rather than common law the court applied the state residency requirement to confirm venue.
Samantha Stone agreed to grant an easement over her parcel. Because the easement constituted an interest in land the agreement fell within the statute of frauds and required a signed writing to be enforceable under the controlling stat.
Stella Shapiro invoked a statutory presumption that shifted the burden of production to the opposing party in her civil suit under the relevant stat. The opponent introduced evidence to rebut the presumption but the ultimate burden of persuasion remained with Stella.
The abbreviation stat. stands for statute. It appears in citations and texts to refer to enacted legislation.
…the appointment is made when the last act required from the President is performed; the signature is that last act. The statute converting the Department of Foreign Affairs into the Department of State enacts that the Secretary shall affix the seal to civil commissions after they shall have been signed by the…