Legal Terminology Online
Here are some of the legal terminology and definitions from the Legal dictionary used in a court of law. |
Affidavit: A statement of fact.
Appeal: a written request to a higher court to reverse or modify the judgment of a trial.
Arbitration: hearing of and decision on a dispute between parties by an arbitrator.
Arraignment: takes time the first time the accused goes before the judge. At that time, the charges are read, and the defendant is asked to respond with a plea of guilty or not guilty.
Annulment: when a marriage is dissolved and treated as it never happened by a court.
Arrest Warrant: a document issue by a magistrate authorizing the police to arrest someone.
Assault: when a person attempts to physically harm or make another person feel threatened. Actual physical contact is not necessary.
Assets: Anything owned with monetary value. This includes both real property or personal property.
Audit: an examination of a person or business financial records or taxes.
Bail: the money that is paid to the court in order to make sure an arrested person that is being release will show up at all required court appearances.
Bailiff: officer of the court employed to maintain order in the courtroom.
Battery: when a person makes a physical contact with the intention to harm another person. Unintentional harmful contact is not considered battery.
Beneficiary: A person or party named in a Will to receive a portion of the estate. A beneficiary may also be a person who receives payment from a life insurance policy or income from a trust.
Bequeath: To give personal property through a Will.
Bequests: A gift of property made through a Will.
Bill of Sale: Document showing all parties to a sale, the type of property sold, and the price.
Breach: Failure to observe the terms of a law or a promise.
Burden of Proof: duty to present evidence supporting an assertion of charge.
Buyer: A consumer.
Bylaws: the rules that governs a corporation’s actions or internal affairs.
Chattels: A moveable item of personal property.
Check Stop Payment: Request to bank to not honor a particular check.
Civil Lawsuit: deals with private rights and remedies that are no criminal.
Claim of Lien: Notifies third parties of a monetary interest in property where work was performed.
Claims: To demand or ask for as rightfully belonging or due.
Closing Arguments: the party’s counsel final statement to judge and jury before deliberation, summing up the case and asking the jury to rule in the party’s favor.
Codicil: An amendment to an original Will that changes or modifies the Will.
Collateral: Security given as a pledge for the fulfillment of an obligation.
Commercial Lease: Agreement to rent commercial property.
Complaint: document used to initiate the action in small claims court.
Confidentiality Agreement: Agreement between two or more parties to keep certain information secret.
Consign: To give into someone's care.
Consignment Agreement: Agreement to buy goods and sell on consignment.
Consignor: A person or a firm that consigns goods to a dealer.
Consulting Services Agreement: Defines tasks to be completed by consultant.
Contingent Beneficiary: A person designated to become a beneficiary if the first beneficiary predeceases you.
Contractor Agreement: Basic agreement to perform construction.
Court Clerk: office that records the documents and keeps the files.
Creditor: A person to whom money is owed.
Criminal Action: action brought by the government to punish offenses against the public.
Custodian: A person who has the custody or care of something.
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