Active Voice
The ruling was made by the judge.
The judge ruled.
The plaintiff made an appearance in court.
The plainitff appeared in court.
De facto
In fact/reality
Prior to
Before
The complaint was filed by the plaintiff.
The plaintiff filed a complaint.
It was a failure of the court to allow the evidence into the record.
The court failed by allowing the evidence into the record.
Chattel
Any moveable property
At the present time
Currently
The clerk is being called by the judge at this moment.
The judge is calling the clerk now.
The parties were thinking about filing a motion to dismiss.
The parties thought about filing a motion to dismiss.
In good faith
Pursuant to
Under
The argument was made by the hotel’s attorneys that the Commerce Clause could not be extended so far.
The hotel’s attorneys argued that the Commerce Clause could not be extended so far.
There was a resemblance between the defendant and the suspect.
The defendant resembled the suspect.
Force majeur (to a client)
In the nature of
Like
The privilege has been consistently extended to quasi-legislative proceedings by Michigan’s appellate courts.
Michigan’s appellate courts have consistently extended the privilege to quasi-legislative proceedings.
There was a requirement to bring three copies of the document to the trial proceeding.
Three copies of the document were required for the trial.
Arbitrary and Capricious (to a client)
A willful and unreasoning action without consideration or regard for the facts and circumstances.
Inasmuch as
Since