Vacant possession
Empty. On completion of a sale a seller is obliged to deliver the property with vacant possession which means clear of occupants and of objects which are not included in the sale. The same applies at the end of a tenancy.

Vicarious liablility
Liability of an employer for the wrongful acts of his employee.

Warrant of execution
A formal instruction to the bailiff to enforce a judgment by seizing the debtor's goods.

Winding up
Arranging the affairs of and then dissolving a company.

Without prejudice
A statement made by a party in, or in contemplation of, litigation, which is "off the record". To encourage the parties to engage in open discussion about settlement, such statements cannot generally be made known to the court. If they are expressed to be "without prejudice save as to costs", they may be disclosed after the court has decided the case when it comes to argument about who should pay for it. Without prejudice is often confused with "subject to contract" but the two are completely different.

Witness

1. A person who signs a deed or Will to confirm that it has been executed in his presence.
2. Someone who testifies in proceedings.

Witness statement
The written evidence of a witness, which is usually read by the court as the witness's "evidence in chief". The witness promises that the statement is true and can be cross-examined on it.

Witness summons, subpoena
The document requiring a witness to come to court to give evidence or produce a document. Failure to do so may be treated as a contempt of court.

Written resolution
A resolution passed by all of the shareholders or all of the directors by signing a written copy rather than holding a meeting.

Wrongful dismissal
An employee's remedy when dismissed by an employer acting in breach of contract. See also Unfair dismissal.