We have been using the term 'mutation' pretty loosely up to this point in the course...now we need to define it more precisely: mutation-- a change in the genetic material (ie. DNA).
Stay of proceedings. A stay of proceedings is a ruling by the court in civil and criminal procedure, halting further legal process in a trial or other legal proceeding. The court can subsequently lift the stay and resume proceedings based on events taking place after the stay is ordered.
DEFINITION of 'Automatic Stay'. A legal provision that temporarily prevents creditors from pursuing debtors for amounts owed. An automatic stay goes into effect immediately when a debtor files for bankruptcy. Creditors who believe they have sufficient grounds can petition the court to lift the automatic stay so they can continue the collection process. A bankruptcy filing in bad faith will not create an automatic stay.