Alternative Dispute Resolution
To place a dispute before a court of law for resolution
What is litigate?
This Article of the U.S. Constitution gives Congress the power to establish federal courts
What is Article III?
Courts that handle disputes involving small amounts, generally $2,500 or less
What are small claims courts?
The first court to hear a dispute and render a verdict
What is a trial court?
The title given to judges who sit on the federal or state Supreme Courts.
What is Justice?
A third party who develops a solution acceptable to both sides, though their actions are not legally binding
What is a mediator?
The total number of federal courts of appeal
What is thirteen?
These courts administer wills and estates
What are probate courts?
A verbatim record of what occurred during a trial, which is used for appeals
What is a transcript?
The power of a court to decide a case for the first time
What is original jurisdiction?
This third party holds an informal hearing and makes a decision that is legally binding on both parties
What is an arbitrator?
An order from the Supreme Court to a state court to turn over the record of a case for review
What is a writ of certiorari?
City courts that administer a city's ordinances
What are municipal courts?
These courts review decisions of lower courts to determine if there were errors of law
What are appellate courts?
Courts emphasize this for juveniles rather than punishment
What is rehabilitation?
This is the primary reason parties should try to negotiate a settlement without litigation
What is avoiding the costs, delays, and difficulties of a court trial?
These federal courts have original jurisdiction over federal questions and lawsuits with "diversity of citizenship" over $75,000
What are Federal District Courts?
In the state court system, this official is responsible for summoning witnesses and keeping order
Who is a marshal?
Written arguments on the issues of law submitted to an appellate court
What are appellate briefs?
A trial court that keeps an exact account of everything that happens during a trial
What is a court of record?
Negotiating a settlement without going to court may include this process
What is mediation (or arbitration)?
These are the two types of cases over which the U.S. Supreme Court has original jurisdiction
What are cases affecting ambassadors/public ministers and those in which a state is involved?
State courts at a level below the main courts of general jurisdiction, also known as county courts
What are associate circuit courts?
Unlike trial courts, appellate courts do not do these two things
What is hear witnesses or accept new evidence?
This term describes the authority to hear only one specific type of case
What is specialized jurisdiction?