Legal Terminologies
• Acquittal: A jury verdict or judge's finding that a defendant is not guilty of the charges against
them.
• Allegation: A claim or assertion made in a legal proceeding that has not yet been proven.
• Appeal: A request for a higher court to review and change the decision of a lower court.
• Arbitration: A process where disputes are resolved outside of court by an arbitrator who makes
a binding decision.
• Bail: Money or property given to the court to ensure that a person released from custody will
return for trial.
• Case Law: Law established by the outcome of former court cases, which serves as precedent for
future cases.
• Civil Case: A legal dispute between two or more parties seeking monetary damages or specific
performance rather than criminal sanctions.
• Contract: A legally enforceable agreement between two or more parties outlining their rights
and obligations.
• Defendant: The individual or entity accused of a crime or being sued in a civil case.
• Deposition: A witness's sworn out-of-court testimony used to gather information before the
trial.
• Damages: Monetary compensation awarded to a plaintiff for losses caused by the defendant's
wrongful act.
• Discovery: The pre-trial process where parties exchange information and evidence relevant to
the case.
• Ex parte: A legal proceeding brought by one party without the other party present or notified.
• Felony: A serious crime typically punishable by imprisonment for more than one year or by
death.
• Garnishment: A court order directing that money or property owed to a debtor be paid directly
to a creditor.
• Habeas Corpus: A legal order requiring that a person detained be brought before a court to
determine if their detention is lawful.
• Injunction: A court order requiring an individual to do or refrain from doing a specific action.
• Jurisdiction: The authority of a court to hear and decide cases, based on geographic area and
subject matter.
• Litigation: The process of taking legal action; the act of suing someone in court.
• Mediation: A voluntary process where a neutral third party helps disputing parties reach an
agreement.
• Negligence: Failure to take proper care in doing something, resulting in damage or injury to
another person.
• Plaintiff: The person or party who initiates a lawsuit by filing a complaint against another party
(the defendant).
• Precedent: A legal decision that serves as an example or rule for future cases with similar issues.
• Quasi-contract: An obligation imposed by law to prevent unjust enrichment, even though no
actual contract exists between the parties.
• Subpoena: A legal document ordering an individual to appear in court or produce evidence for a
case.
• Tort: A civil wrong that causes harm or loss to another person, leading to legal liability for the
wrongdoer.
