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Common Legal Terms
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Affidavit
A written statement of facts, sworn to and signed before a notary public or another person authorized to administer oaths.
Plaintiff
A person who brings a case against another in a court of law.
Defendant
An individual, company, or institution sued or accused in a court of law.
Tort
A wrongful act or an infringement of a right (other than under contract) leading to civil legal liability.
Jurisdiction
The official power to make legal decisions and judgments.
Testimony
A formal written or spoken statement, especially one given in a court of law.
Arbitration
A method of dispute resolution involving one or more neutral third parties who are usually agreed to by the disputing parties and whose decision is binding.
Deposition
An out-of-court testimony given under oath by a witness in a civil lawsuit.
Indictment
A formal charge or accusation of a serious crime.
Lien
A right to keep possession of property belonging to another person until a debt owed by that person is discharged.
Misdemeanor
A minor wrongdoing; a non-indictable offense, less serious than a felony.
Subpoena
A writ ordering a person to attend a court.
Verdict
A decision on a disputed issue in a civil or criminal case or an inquest.
Witness
A person who sees an event, typically a crime or accident, take place.
Bail
The temporary release of an accused person awaiting trial on condition that a sum of money is lodged to guarantee their appearance in court.
Negligence
Failure to take proper care in doing something, which causes damage or injury to another.
Perjury
The offense of willfully telling an untruth in a court after having taken an oath or affirmation.
Damages
Monetary compensation that is awarded by a court in a civil action to an individual who has been injured through the wrongful conduct of another party.
Appeal
Apply to a higher court for a reversal of the decision of a lower court.
Docket
A list of cases in court for trial, or the names of the parties who have cases pending.
Plea
A formal statement by or on behalf of a defendant or prisoner, stating guilt or innocence in response to a charge, offering an excuse or confession, or requesting leniency.
Statute
A written law passed by a legislative body.
Brief
A written argument presented to a court.
Litigation
The process of taking legal action; the process of suing someone, or bringing a lawsuit against someone.
Contract
A written or spoken agreement that is intended to be enforceable by law.
Cross-examination
The examination of a witness who has already testified in order to check or discredit the witness's testimony, knowledge, or credibility.
Injunction
A judicial order that restrains a person from beginning or continuing an action threatening or invading the legal right of another, or that compels a person to carry out a certain act.
Jurisprudence
The theory or philosophy of law; a system or body of law.
Hearsay
Information received from other people that one cannot adequately substantiate; rumor.
Immunity
Protection or exemption from something, especially an obligation or penalty.
Legal Aid
The provision of assistance to people otherwise unable to afford legal representation and access to the court system.
Prosecution
The institution and conducting of legal proceedings against someone in respect of a criminal charge.
Mediation
Intervention in a dispute in order to resolve it; arbitration.
Power of Attorney
The authority to act for another person in specified legal or financial matters.
Fiduciary
A person who holds a legal or ethical relationship of trust with one or more other parties, typically taking care of financial matters on behalf of another.
Probation
The release of an offender from detention, subject to a period of good behavior under supervision.
Annulment
A legal decree that a marriage is void, as opposed to a divorce which recognizes the end of a marriage.
Common Law
The part of English law that is derived from custom and judicial precedent rather than statutes. Often contrasts with statutory law.
Discovery
The pre-trial stage in a lawsuit during which each party can obtain evidence from the opposing party by means such as interrogatories, depositions, and requests for documents.
Tangible Property
Physical property that can be touched or felt, such as land, goods, etc.
Voir Dire
The process of preliminary examination of potential jurors by a judge or lawyers to determine their suitability for jury service.
Felony
A crime, typically one involving violence, regarded as more serious than a misdemeanor, and usually punishable by imprisonment for more than one year or by death.
Guardianship
The legal authority to make decisions on behalf of another person, typically due to incapacity or minority.
Case Law
The law as established by the outcome of former cases.
Equity
The body of law that is concerned with fairness and justice, as opposed to the law that is concerned with criminal punishment and civil damages.
Interrogatories
A written set of questions that one party sends to another as part of the discovery process; the answers must be given under oath.
Notary Public
An official authorized to perform acts in legal affairs, in particular witnessing signatures on documents.
Slander
The action or crime of making a false spoken statement damaging to a person's reputation.
Trustee
A person or firm that holds or administers property or assets for the benefit of a third party.
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