Fair Credit Reporting Act

What fair credit reporting act means

In short, fair credit reporting act is a term you will meet in court papers, rules and legal research. The definition above gives its usual meaning in American civil practice. However, the exact meaning can depend on the rule, statute or court decision that uses it. So it helps to read the term in context.

Where fair credit reporting act comes up

The term is used across many kinds of cases. For example, you may see it in pleadings, motions and court orders. To see it in context, browse the motions and procedures library or the Learn the Law topics.

Read the source: Credit report disputes, 15 U.S.C. § 1681i.

How to research the term

First, read the term where it actually appears. A rule, statute or court decision may define it for its own purposes. Next, check whether your court has a local rule that uses fair credit reporting act in a special way. Then look at recent decisions from courts in your jurisdiction. They show how judges apply the term today. Also, remember that state law can differ from federal law. For that reason, use our state procedures guide to find your state’s rules. Finally, confirm every source is current before you rely on it.

You can read the current federal court rules online for free.

Related legal terms

• Executor: the person named in a will to administer the deceased person's estate — collecting assets, paying debts and taxes, and distributing property to beneficiaries — once appointed by the probate court.
• Exhibit: a document, object or other item offered as evidence or attached to a filing. Exhibits are usually labeled with numbers or letters so they can be identified in the record.
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• Expressio unius est exclusio alterius: latin for "the expression of one thing is the exclusion of another." The canon that "expressing one item of [an] associated group or series excludes another left unmentioned" (Chevron U.S.A.

Why precise terms matter

Courts read legal terms closely. As a result, knowing the exact meaning of a word helps you follow orders, rules and filings. Each glossary entry on Lawtopolis is short on purpose and links to the pages where the term is used.