case system
The method of studying law generally used in American law schools, in which the students read, outline (brief), discuss and hear lectures about the cases.

cashier's check
A check issued by a bank on its own account for the amount paid to the bank by the purchaser with a named payee, and stating the name of the party purchasing the check (the remitter).

casual
adj. defining something that happens by chance, without being foreseen, or informally. This includes "casual" labor or employment, which is someone hired to do a task just because he/she was available at the moment.

casualty
An accident which could not have been foreseen or guarded against, such as a shipwreck caused by storm or fire caused by lightning.

casualty loss
In taxation, loss due to damage which qualifies for a casualty loss tax deduction. It must be caused by a sudden, unexpected or unusual occurrence such as a storm, flood, fire, shipwreck, earthquake or act of God, but would not include gradual damage ...

cause
From Latin causa 1) v. to make something happen. 2) n. the reason something happens. A cause implies what is called a "causal connection" as distinguished from events which may occur but do not have any effect on later events.

cause of action
The basis of a lawsuit founded on legal grounds and alleged facts which, if proved, would constitute all the "elements" required by statute.