Common Legal Terms

Question 1

To approve the decision of a lower court

Answer 1

Affirm

Question 2

To petition a higher court to review a lower-court decision

Answer 2

Appeal

Question 3

A court’s power to decide appeals

Answer 3

Appellate jurisdiction

Question 4

A legal document that presents arguments supporting a client’s position in a case

Answer 4

Brief

Question 5

1. The division of law dealing with private citizens’ legal rights in disputes with other citizens
2. A system of law based on codified Roman law and distinguished from common law

Answer 5

Civil Law

Question 6

A system of law developed in England and based on tradition and the courts’ decisions rather than on legal codes; distinguished from civil law

Answer 6

Common law

Question 7

The division of law dealing with the constitutional interpretation of laws and government actions

Answer 7

Constitutional Law

Question 8

The division of law that treats crimes prosecuted by the government

Answer 8

Criminal Law

Question 9

A court’s power to hear a case before it is considered by any other court

Answer 9

Original Jurisdiction

Question 10

A court decision that serves to guide subsequent decisions in related cases

Answer 10

Precedent

Question 11

To rule against a lower-court decision by virtue of a higher court’s authority

Answer 11

Reverse

Question 12

Literally “let the decision stand”; a principle of law that bases decisions on judicial precedent

Answer 12

Stare decisis

Question 13

An order from a superior court (especially the US Supreme Court) to a lower court to send the entire record of a case for review; certiorari is Latin for “to be made more certain”

Answer 13

Writ of certiorari