Legal jargon
20 Legal Jargon Words with Meanings and Examples
1. Plaintiff: A person who brings a lawsuit against another.
- Example: The plaintiff is seeking damages for personal injury.
2. Defendant: A person who is accused of a crime or sued in a civil case.
- Example: The defendant denies the allegations made by the plaintiff.
3. Litigation: The process of resolving a dispute through the court system.
- Example: The company is involved in ongoing litigation with its former partner.
4. Jurisdiction: The authority of a court to hear and decide a case.
- Example: The court does not have jurisdiction over this matter.
5. Statute of Limitations: A law that sets a time limit for bringing a lawsuit.
- Example: The statute of limitations for this type of claim is two years.
6. Appeal: A request to a higher court to review a lower court’s decision.
- Example: The defendant filed an appeal with the appellate court.
7. Verdict: A decision made by a jury in a trial.
- Example: The jury returned a verdict of guilty.
8. Settlement: An agreement reached between the parties to a lawsuit to resolve the dispute without going to trial.
- Example: The parties reached a settlement out of court.
9. Tort: A civil wrong that results in harm to another person or property.
- Example: The plaintiff is suing the defendant for negligence, a type of tort.
10. Negligence: The failure to exercise reasonable care.
- Example: The defendant was found negligent for causing the car accident.
11. Contract: A legally binding agreement between two or more parties.
- Example: The parties entered into a contract to purchase the property.
12. Breach of Contract: The failure to perform one’s obligations under a contract.
- Example: The defendant breached the contract by failing to deliver the goods on time.
13. Deposition: A sworn statement taken outside of court.
- Example: The plaintiff’s lawyer took a deposition from the defendant.
14. Subpoena: A legal order requiring a person to appear in court or provide documents.
- Example: The court issued a subpoena to the witness.
15. Discovery: The process of gathering information before a trial.
- Example: The discovery phase of the lawsuit included document production and interrogatories.
16. Pleading: A formal document filed with the court.
- Example: The plaintiff filed a complaint, which is a type of pleading.
17. Summary Judgment: A decision by a court that a party is entitled to judgment without a trial.
- Example: The judge granted the defendant’s motion for summary judgment.
18. Voir Dire: The process of questioning potential jurors to determine their suitability for service.
- Example: The attorneys conducted voir dire to select a jury for the trial.
19. Preponderance of the Evidence: The standard of proof in civil cases.
- Example: The plaintiff must prove their case by a preponderance of the evidence.
20. Beyond a Reasonable Doubt: The standard of proof in criminal cases.
- Example: The prosecution must prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.