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.