Key Definitions Flashcards
Define ‘acquitted’
Free from charge of an offence
Define ‘accused’
A person arrested for a criminal offence
Define ‘adjournment’
A putting off or postponement of an ending or dismissal
Define ‘affidavit’
A written statement confirmed by oath for evidence in court
Define ‘alternative dilute resolution (ADR)’
Use as methods such as mediation or arbitration to resolve a dispute without litigation
Define ‘amendment’
A change, addition or rephrasing of something
Define ‘appeal’
To submit to a higher court for a review of your case/sentencing/conviction
Define ‘appellant’
A person who appeals
Define ‘award’
A decision made by a judge (to be awarded something)
Define ‘bail’
Money deposited with the court to obtain the temporary release of a Defendent
Define ‘barrister’
A lawyer who can plead cases in court
Define ‘bound/binding’
The action of a person or thing that binds
Define ‘case’
An action in equity filed with a court
Define ‘chambers’
A judges private office
Define ‘charged’
A formal accusation made against sentence
Define ‘civil’
Relating to an ordinary citizen, also a type of law
Define ‘claim’
Demand/ask for something thats rightfully yours (eg. Claim money)
Define ‘common law’
Legal rules made by judges, based on; custom, usage, decisions and opinions
Define ‘complainant’
A person who files a complaint in court
Define ‘convicted’
Declare/someone to be guilty of an offence
Define ‘counsel’
A mutual exchange of ideas/opinions
Define ‘cross-examination’
The interrogating or questioning of a witness by the opposite party
Define ‘damages’
Financial compensation demanded by a claimant as compensation for a loss or injury
Define ‘Defendant’
A person being accused of a crime
Define ‘hearing’
A chance for someone to be heard by a judge in court (aka. Court appearance)
Define ‘injunction’
An order by the court to stop someone from doing something
Define ‘judgement’
An opinion, decision or a sentence given by a court of law
Define ‘jurisdiction’
The power or authority to decide legal cases
Define ‘lay person’
Someone who is non-professional in a given field
Define ‘leave’
Permission to take time off work
Define ‘litigation’
An action brought into court to enforce a particular right
Define ‘mitigation’
A party thats suffered loss has to take an action to minimise the loss
Define ‘plea’
Accused person’s formal reply to a charge (guilty or not guilty)
Define ‘prosecution’
Being charged for doing something wrong
Define ‘remand’
Keep you in prison (or detained in a prison)
Define ‘remedy’
A court of law imposes a penalty (a courts right to do so)
Define ‘rights of audience’
A right of a lawyer to appear in court and fight their clients case
Define ‘solicitor’
A member of the legal profession
Define ‘summons’
An order to appear in front of a court, judge or magistrate
Define ‘trial’
Formal examination of evidence from a judge
Define ‘verdict’
A decision on an issue of fact (civil or a criminal case)
Define ‘witness’
A person who has seen an event (eg. Crime or accident) take place
