Beginner Legal terms

Question 1

a written statement under oath to be true

Answer 1

Affidavit

Question 2

a legal document where lawyers explain their side to the judge

Answer 2

Brief

Question 3

law established by previous court decisions

Answer 3

Case law

Question 4

a set of facts sufficient to justify a right to sue

Answer 4

Cause of Action

Question 5

“money” awarded in a lawsuit to makeup for harm causes

Answer 5

Damages

Question 6

a person being sued or accused

Answer 6

Defendant

Question 7

person who is suing

Answer 7

Plantiff

Question 8

a witness’ story written down before the trial

Answer 8

Desposition

Question 9

both sides share evidence before the trial

Answer 9

Discovery

Question 10

Secondhand information is not usually allowed as evidence

Answer 10

Hearsay

Question 11

the court’s power to handle a case

Answer 11

Jurisdiction

Question 12

asking the court to make a decision

Answer 12

Motion

Question 13

delay the trial

Answer 13

motion of continuance

Question 14

dismiss the case because no evidence

Answer 14

motion to dismiss

Question 15

keep certain evidence in the trial

Answer 15

motion to suppress

Question 16

a paper that says you must show up to court or give evidence

Answer 16

Subpoena

Question 17

a time limit for starting a case

Answer 17

Statute of Limitations

Question 18

breaking contract or rule

Answer 18

Breach

Question 18

An agreement to end a case without trial

Answer 18

Settlement

Question 19

what both sides give in a deal

Answer 19

Consideration

Question 20

being legally responsible for something

Answer 20

Liability

Question 21

protection from being responsible

Answer 21

Indemnity

Question 21

a contract that doesn’t count anymore

Answer 21

Void

Question 22

the evidence seems true unless proven wrong

Answer 22

Prima Facie

Question 22

someone chosen to help a child or a person who can’t represent themselves

Answer 22

Ad Litem

Question 23

free legal work

Answer 23

Pro Bono

Question 24

the case that’s already been decided,, cannot be reopened

Answer 24

Res Judicata

Question 25

following decisions made in the past

Answer 25

Stare Decisis

Question 26

making sure a lawyer can take a case without conflict of interest

Answer 26

Conflict Check

Question 27

a list of cases the court is handling

Answer 27

Docket

Question 28

finding and understanding laws and past cases

Answer 28

Legal Research

Question 29

the time you spend working on a case + tasks for a client that the law firm charges

Answer 29

Billables

Question 30

money paid to lawyers upfront to start on their case

Answer 30

Retainer

Question 31

someone who checks documents is signed correctly

Answer 31

Notary