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Common Legal Terms
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Verdict
A decision on a disputed issue in a civil or criminal case or an inquest.
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.
Lien
A right to keep possession of property belonging to another person until a debt owed by that person is discharged.
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.
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.
Hearsay
Information received from other people that one cannot adequately substantiate; rumor.
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.
Appeal
Apply to a higher court for a reversal of the decision of a lower court.
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.
Jurisprudence
The theory or philosophy of law; a system or body of law.
Defendant
An individual, company, or institution sued or accused in a court of law.
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.
Affidavit
A written statement of facts, sworn to and signed before a notary public or another person authorized to administer oaths.
Tort
A wrongful act or an infringement of a right (other than under contract) leading to civil legal liability.
Indictment
A formal charge or accusation of a serious crime.
Litigation
The process of taking legal action; the process of suing someone, or bringing a lawsuit against someone.
Immunity
Protection or exemption from something, especially an obligation or penalty.
Deposition
An out-of-court testimony given under oath by a witness in a civil lawsuit.
Case Law
The law as established by the outcome of former cases.
Testimony
A formal written or spoken statement, especially one given in a court of law.
Brief
A written argument presented to a court.
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.
Trustee
A person or firm that holds or administers property or assets for the benefit of a third party.
Plaintiff
A person who brings a case against another in a court of law.
Mediation
Intervention in a dispute in order to resolve it; arbitration.
Probation
The release of an offender from detention, subject to a period of good behavior under supervision.
Slander
The action or crime of making a false spoken statement damaging to a person's reputation.
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.
Perjury
The offense of willfully telling an untruth in a court after having taken an oath or affirmation.
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.
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.
Misdemeanor
A minor wrongdoing; a non-indictable offense, less serious than a felony.
Negligence
Failure to take proper care in doing something, which causes damage or injury to another.
Common Law
The part of English law that is derived from custom and judicial precedent rather than statutes. Often contrasts with statutory law.
Guardianship
The legal authority to make decisions on behalf of another person, typically due to incapacity or minority.
Notary Public
An official authorized to perform acts in legal affairs, in particular witnessing signatures on documents.
Witness
A person who sees an event, typically a crime or accident, take place.
Annulment
A legal decree that a marriage is void, as opposed to a divorce which recognizes the end of a marriage.
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.
Subpoena
A writ ordering a person to attend a court.
Docket
A list of cases in court for trial, or the names of the parties who have cases pending.
Power of Attorney
The authority to act for another person in specified legal or financial matters.
Voir Dire
The process of preliminary examination of potential jurors by a judge or lawyers to determine their suitability for jury service.
Jurisdiction
The official power to make legal decisions and judgments.
Statute
A written law passed by a legislative body.
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.
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