Basic legal terms and concepts
a place or institution where legal cases are heard and decided by a judge or judges.
Court
a written law formally passed by a legislative body, such as a parliament.
Statute
to examine, check, or consider something carefully
Review
A member of a jury who listens to evidence and helps decide the facts of a case.
Juror
a formal instruction telling everyone in the courtroom to stand, usually when the judge enters or leaves.
All rise
an official decision made by a jury in a court case about whether the defendant is guilty or not guilty.
Verdict
to relate to, concern, or be connected with something.
Pertain
a legal process for a person or company that cannot pay their debts.
Bankruptcy
Organizations or institutions that have legal responsibilities or powers, such as courts, government agencies, or legal authorities.
Legal Bodies
to stop someone while they are speaking or doing something, often by speaking or acting before they have finished.
Interrupt
to cause a process, action, or event to begin.
To initiate
laws that have been officially made and enacted by a government or legislative body.
Legislation
a standard letter prepared in advance, using a fixed format, that can be adapted and sent to different people by changing specific details.
Form letter
A court’s authority to hear cases arising within a particular geographic area.
Territorial Jurisdiction
a jury that cannot reach the required agreement on a verdict after discussing the case.
Hung jury
to resolve a disagreement or legal dispute by reaching an agreement, usually without going to trial.
Settle
a source of information that you use to check facts, support an idea, or find more information about a subject.
Reference
communication or exchange of letters, messages, or emails between people or organizations.
Correspondence
A person who creates an official written record of everything said during a court proceeding.
Court Reporter
to prevent evidence from being used or presented in court, usually because it was obtained illegally or improperly.
Suppress
the legal process that must be followed to ensure that a person’s rights are protected and that they are treated fairly under the law.
Due process
a brief note or explanation that summarizes and comments on a legal case, usually highlighting its important facts, legal issues, decision, and significance.
Case annotation
a collection of documents prepared and submitted to an opposing party or insurance company to request compensation or settlement for a legal claim.
Demand package
The person or legal team representing someone accused of a crime or involved in a case against them.
Defense
legally required to tell the truth after formally promising or swearing to do so, especially in court.
Under oath