Glossary of Transportation Law Terms

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z #

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Maintenance Operational Check: Systems check made on the ground through engine run-up and taxiing. Checks made using auxiliary power or testing equipment to simulate, insofar as possible, actual conditions under which the system is to operate. These checks are made to ensure that aircraft systems or components disturbed during an inspection or maintenance have been repaired or adjusted satisfactorily.

Main Track: A track extending through yards and between stations which must not be occupied without authority or protection.

Mallet Locomotive: Designed originally by Anatole Mallet in 1884, the design was a compound locomotive with two sets of engines on bogie frames. Later versions were simple expansion locomotives and were developed in the US to the largest locomotives ever built, the Union Pacific 4-8-8-4 'Big Boy' class.  A Mallet has the boiler rigidly fixed to the rear engine unit. 

Malpractice (as it relates to Maritime Law): A carrier giving a customer illegal preference to attract cargo. This can take the form of a money refund (rebate); using lower figures than actual for the assessment of freight charges (undercubing); misdeclaration of the commodity shipped to allow the assessment of a lower tariff rate; waiving published tariff charges for demurrage, CFS handling or equalization; providing specialized equipment to a shipper to the detriment of other shippers, etc.

Manifold, Steam: The steam pipe in the cab which supplied all the cab control valves such as the whistle, injectors, carriage heating, blower, sanding etc.  Sometimes referred to as the 'steam fountain'.  In the US it was known as the 'turret'.

Marine Insurance: Broadly, insurance covering loss or damage of goods at sea. Marine insurance typically compensates the owner of merchandise for losses sustained from fire, shipwreck, etc., but excludes losses that can be recovered from the carrier.

Maritime: Business pertaining to commerce or navigation transacted upon the sea or in seaports in such matters as the court of admiralty has jurisdiction.

Mast: A long pole or spar of timber set upright on a ship's keel to support the sails.

Mediation: A hearing for a case where the injured party has concerns regarding his/her rights. The mediation can be held for claims concerning a definite period of time, a claim for medical bills only, a case where the injured party is not represented by an attorney, and if the bureau determines that the case may be settled through mediation. The bureau will review the case and advise the injured party with a concise explanation of his/her rights and responsibilities under the act, including a reasonable estimate of the maximum amount of benefits in which the injured party would be entitled to if the case was approved. At the mediation the parties involved are the carrier, injured worker, attorney (if any), and a mediator.

Mental Anguish: Mental suffering. In some cases, damages may be awarded for mental anguish even though no physical injury is present.

Midship: A contraction of amidships and consequently, in a general sense, it refers to the middle of the ship.

Motion: A request asking a judge to issue a ruling or order on a legal matter.

Motion For A New Trial: Request in which a losing party asserts that a trial was unfair due to legal errors that prejudiced its case.

Motion For Directed Verdict: A request made by the defendant in a civil case. Asserts that the plaintiff has raised no genuine issue to be tried and asks the judge to rule in favor of the defense. This motion is typically made after the plaintiff is done presenting his or her case.

Motion For Summary Judgment: A request made by the defendant in a civil case. Asserts that the plaintiff has raised no genuine issue to be tried and asks the judge to rule in favor of the defense. This motion is typically made before the trial.

Motion To Dismiss: In a civil case, a request to a judge by the defendant, asserting that even if all the allegations are true, the plaintiff is not entitled to any legal relief and thus the case should be dismissed.

Motion To Suppress Evidence: A request to a judge to keep out evidence at a trial or hearing often made when a party believes the evidence was unlawfully obtained.