Court Terms
The individual or entity against whom a lawsuit is filed.
Who is the defendant?
The legally binding agreement between two or more parties.
What is a contract?
Law dealing with family-related issues such as marriage, divorce, and child custody.
What is family law?
Money or property given as surety that a person released from custody will return at an appointed time.
What is bail?
Hours worked by an attorney that are billed to a client.
What is a billable hour?
A person appointed to act for another in business or legal matters.
Who is an attorney/lawyer?
The judgement made when a person is found not guilty of the crime with which they have been accused.
What is an acquittal?
A legal document expressing a person's wishes regarding their property and finances upon their death.
What is a will?
Law dealing with offenses against society or the state, involving prosecution by the government.
What is criminal law?
Testimony taken under oath outside of court, used to gather information before a trial.
What is a deposition?
A contract between a lawyer and a client regarding the payment of legal fees.
What is a fee agreement?
A person trained in legal matters who assists lawyers but is not qualified to practice law.
Who is a paralegal?
The agreement reached by both parties to resolve a dispute without going to trial.
What is a settlement?
A contract by which one party conveys land, property, services, etc., to another for a specified time, usually in return for periodic payment.
What is a lease?
Law dealing with the rights and duties of individuals among themselves.
What is civil law?
The pre-trial process where each party can obtain evidence from the other parties through various means.
What is discovery?
A preliminary draft of an invoice sent to attorneys for review before the final invoice is sent to the client.
What is a pre-bill?
An official appointed to decide cases in a court of law.
The decision of a jury or judge at the end of a trial.
What is the verdict?
A legal document that is signed and delivered, especially one regarding the ownership of property.
What is a deed?
Law protecting creations of the mind, such as inventions, literary and artistic works, and symbols.
What is Intellectual Property (IP) law?
A written statement submitted by each party in a case that explains to the judge(s) why they should prevail.
What is a brief?
A reduction in the billed amount, often due to adjustments or discounts.
What is a write down?
A judicial officer with limited authority to administer and enforce the law.
Who is a magistrate?
A wrongful act leading to a civil legal liability.
What is a tort?
A fiduciary arrangement where one party holds property on behalf of another party.
What is a trust?
Law governing the rights, relations, and conduct of persons, companies, organizations, and businesses.
What is corporate law?
A court order requiring a person to do or cease doing a specific action.
What is an injunction?
A fee arrangement where the lawyer's fee is dependent on the outcome of the case, usually a percentage of the settlement or judgment.
What is a contingency fee?
A court officer who maintains order in the courtroom and ensures safety and keeps the peace.
Who is a bailiff?
The legal process of resolving a dispute; a final judgement in a case
What is adjudication?
A legally binding contract that outlines the terms and payment of services between and client and law firm.
What is a fee agreement?
The process of making arrangements of how assets and affairs will be handled after death.
What is estate planning?
The schedule of cases to be heard by a court or record of proceedings in a case.
What is a docket?
What is accounts receivable?
A person who represents the government in a criminal case.
Who is a prosecutor?