Legal Terms: Chapter Twelve - Access to Justice and Law Reform

Question 1

Legal Aid

Answer 1

Government funding of lawyers who provide legal assistance to persons with low income

Question 2

Pro Bono

Answer 2

Term applied to legal work that lawyers do at no charge to help the public (from the Latin pro bono publico “for the public good”)

Question 3

Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)

Answer 3

Process used instead of a court trial to help settle a dispute

Question 4

Negotiation

Answer 4

Dispute resolution process whereby the parties talk to each other directly and seek a mutually acceptable solution to their problem

Question 5

Mediation

Answer 5

Dispute resolution process whereby the parties try to reach a settlement with the assistance of a third party

Question 6

Arbitration

Answer 6

Dispute resolution process whereby the parties agree beforehand on an arbitrator to assist them, and they agree on whether the arbitrator’s decision will be advisory or binding.

Question 7

Lobbying

Answer 7

Organized effort to influence legislators on behalf of a particular interest

Question 8

Intervener

Answer 8

A party other than the original parties to a court proceeding who does not have a substantial and direct interest in the proceeding but has interests and perspectives helpful to the judicial determination and whose input is accepted by the court.