Legal Terminology and Vocabulary

**Ab initio #

** From the beginning. In law, this term is often used to describe a situation that is void from the start or a contract that is invalid from the outset.

**Accused #

** A person who is charged with a criminal offense and is appearing before a court of law.

**Ad hoc #

** For this specific purpose. In law, an ad hoc committee is a committee that is created for a specific purpose or task and is disbanded once the task is completed.

**Ad hominem #

** An argument that is directed against a person rather than the position they are maintaining. In law, this is considered a fallacy and is generally not admissible in court.

**Adjudication #

** The process of resolving a dispute through the court system.

**Admissible evidence #

** Evidence that is allowed to be presented in court because it is relevant, reliable, and has been obtained legally.

**Affidavit #

** A written statement made under oath or affirmation, usually notarized, which is used as evidence in court.

**Agent #

** A person who is authorized to act on behalf of another person or organization.

**Alias #

** A false name or identity used by a person.

**Allegation #

** A claim or assertion made by a party in a legal proceeding, which has not yet been proven.

**Amicus curiae #

** A friend of the court. A person or organization who is not a party to a case but who is permitted to submit a brief or give oral argument in the case because they have a strong interest in the outcome.

**Answer #

** A formal written response to a complaint or petition, in which the defendant sets out their version of the facts and their legal defenses.

**Appeal #

** A request to a higher court to review and overturn the decision of a lower court.

**Appellant #

** The person who files an appeal.

**Appellee #

** The person against whom an appeal is filed.

**Arraignment #

** A court hearing at which a defendant is formally charged with a crime and enters a plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest.

**Arrest #

** The act of taking a person into custody, usually for the purpose of charging them with a crime.

**Bail #

** The amount of money or other security that must be posted to ensure that a defendant will appear in court when required.

**Brief #

** A written document prepared by an attorney that outlines the legal arguments and evidence in support of their client's position.

**Burden of proof #

** The obligation to produce evidence and prove the truth of the allegations made in a legal proceeding.

**Case law #

** The body of law developed through court decisions and judicial opinions.

**Cause of action #

** A set of facts or circumstances that give rise to a legal right to sue or take some other legal action.

**Challenge for cause #

** A request to disqualify a juror for a specific reason, such as bias or prejudice.

**Civil law #

** The branch of law that deals with disputes between individuals or organizations, as opposed to criminal law.

**Class action #

** A legal proceeding in which a large group of people with similar claims or injuries join together to sue a common defendant.

**Closing argument #

** The final argument presented by each side in a trial, summarizing the evidence and arguing for a particular outcome.

**Code #

** A systematic collection of laws or regulations, usually organized by subject matter.

**Commandments #

** The ten fundamental moral principles of the Jewish and Christian religions, as given in the Bible.

**Common law #

** The body of law developed through court decisions and judicial opinions, as opposed to statutory law.

**Complainant #

** The person or organization that initiates a legal action by filing a complaint.

**Complaint #

** A legal document that sets out the facts and allegations giving rise to a cause of action, and requests relief or remedy from the court.

**Concurrent sentences #

** Two or more sentences that are served at the same time.

**Consecutive sentences #

** Two or more sentences that are served one after the other.

**Contempt of court #

** Disobedience or disrespect towards a court or its procedures, which can result in fines or imprisonment.

**Contract #

** An agreement between two or more parties that creates legal obligations and is enforceable in court.

**Conviction #

** A judgment of guilt in a criminal trial.

**Corpus delicti #

** The body of the crime. The basic facts that establish that a crime has been committed.

**Counsel #

** A legal adviser; a lawyer.

**Court #

** A tribunal established to administer justice, resolve disputes, and interpret and apply the law.

**Cross #

examination:** The questioning of a witness by the opposing side in a trial, to test the witness's credibility, clarify their testimony, or challenge their version of the facts.

**Damages #

** Money awarded by a court to a person who has suffered harm or loss as a result of another party's wrongful conduct.

**De facto #

** In fact or in effect, although not officially recognized.

**De jure #

** According to rightful entitlement or claim; by right or law.

**Defamation #

** The act of making false statements about another person that harm their reputation.

**Default judgment #

** A judgment entered against a defendant who has failed to respond to a complaint or appear in court.

**Defendant #

** The person or organization being sued or charged with a crime in a legal proceeding.

**Deposition #

** A sworn statement given under oath, usually in response to written questions, which can be used as evidence in court.

**Direct examination #

** The initial questioning of a witness by the party who called them to testify, to elicit their testimony in support of their case.

**Discovery #

** The pre-trial process of exchanging information between the parties, including evidence and witness statements, to prepare for trial.

**Dismissal #

** The termination of a legal proceeding, either voluntarily by the plaintiff or involuntarily by the court.

**Due process #

** The constitutional requirement that all legal proceedings be fair, impartial, and conducted according to established rules and procedures.

**Evidence #

** Any proof or documentation presented in court to support a claim or argument.

**Exhibit #

** A document or other physical object introduced as evidence in court.

**Ex parte #

** A legal proceeding brought by one party without notice to or participation by the other party.

**Expert witness #

** A witness who is qualified by education, training, or experience to provide specialized knowledge or opinion on a particular subject.

**Felony #

** A serious criminal offense that is punishable by imprisonment for more than one year.

**Habeas corpus #

** A legal action brought to challenge the legality of a person's detention or imprisonment.

**Hearsay #

** A statement made out of court that is offered in court as evidence to prove the truth of the matter asserted in the statement.

**Hung jury #

** A jury that is unable to reach a unanimous verdict.

**Impeachment #

** The process of challenging the credibility or truthfulness of a witness or their testimony.

**Injunction #

** A court order that requires a party to do or refrain from doing a specific act.

**Judgment #

** The final decision of a court in a legal proceeding.

**Jurisdiction #

** The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case.

**Jury #

** A group of citizens selected to hear evidence and decide a verdict in a criminal or civil trial.

**Liable #

** Legally responsible for damages or injuries caused to another person.

**Liability #

** Legal responsibility for one's actions or failures to act.

**Limine #

** A preliminary motion made at the beginning of a trial to exclude certain evidence or arguments from being presented to the jury.

**Magistrate #

** A judicial officer who has limited authority to hear and decide certain types of cases or issues.

**Mistrial #

** A trial that is terminated before a verdict is reached, due to some error or irregularity in the proceedings.

**Moot #

** A case that is hypothetical or academic, and has no practical or real-world consequences.

**Motion #

** A formal request made to a court for a ruling or order.

**Negligence #

** The failure to exercise the degree of care that a reasonable person would exercise in similar circumstances, resulting in harm or injury to another person.

**Next friend #

** A person who brings a legal action on behalf of another person who is unable to bring the action themselves, such as a minor or an incapacitated adult.

**No contest #

** A plea in which a defendant does not admit guilt but agrees to be punished as if they were guilty.

**Nolo contendere #

** A ple