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Legal Terminology
Glossary
191
Law
Undergraduate 1
09/27/2010

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Term
Acquittal
Definition
Discharge of defendant following verdict or direction of not guilty
Term
Accused
Definition
The person charged with a criminal offence
Term
Act
Definition
Law; Act of Parliament
Term
Actus Reus
Definition
Guilty Act
Term
Ad idem
Definition
Of the same mind. Sometimes read in contract law as consensus ad idem (meeting of minds)
Term
Adjournment
Definition
Temporary suspension of legal proceedings
Term
Advocate
Definition
General term for a barrister or solicitor who represents a party at court
Term
Affidavit
Definition
A written statement of evidence confirmed on oath or by affirmation to be true and taken before someone who has authority to do so
Term
Affirmanti non neganti incumbit probatio
Definition
The burden of proof is on the person who alleges, and not the person who denies
Term
Affirmation
Definition
Declaration by a witness with no religious belief, or with religious beliefs that prevent him/her taking the oath, that the evidence he/she is giving is the truth
Term
Affirmed
Definition
Indicates that a court has agreed with the decision of a lower court in respect of the same case
Term
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Definition
An alternative method to litigation by which parties can resolve their dispute. An example is the adjudication procedure used in construction disputes
Term
Amicus Curiae
Definition
A friend of the Court. A neutral party who does not represent any individual party in the case who will be asked by the Court to make representation from an independent viewpoint
Term
Appeal
Definition
Application to a higher court for review of a decision of a lower court
Term
Appellant
Definition
Party who appeals
Term
Applied
Definition
Indicates that a court has regarded itself bound by an earlier case, and has therefore employed the same reasoning in the instant case
Term
Approved
Definition
Indicates that a higher court states that another case before a lower court was correctly decided
Term
Attorney-General
Definition
The principal law officer of the Crown
Term
Audi alterem partem
Definition
Hear the other side
Term
Award
Definition
The amount of damages assessed by the court
Term
Bail
Definition
The release of a defendant from custody, until their next appearance in Court. It is often issued subject to a security being given or with conditions attached
Term
Balance of Probabilities
Definition
The civil burden of proof
Term
Bankrupt
Definition
Insolvent - unable to pay creditors and having all goods/effects administered by a liquidator or trustee and sold for the benefit of those creditors; as a result of an order under the Insolvency Act 1986
Term
Bar
Definition
Collective name for barristers
Term
Barrister
Definition
A member of the Bar. They have rights of audience before all Courts
Term
Beyond Reasonable Doubt
Definition
The criminal burden of proof
Term
Bona fide
Definition
In good faith
Term
Brief
Definition
Written instructions of counsel to appear at a hearing on behalf of a party, prepared by the solicitor and setting out the facts of the case and any case law relied upon
Term
Burden of proof
Definition
The duty of proving ones case. See onus probandi
Term
Caution
Definition
(i) Notice given to the Land Registry by a person with an interest in a particular land to ensure that no action is taken without the person's knowledge
Term
Caution
Definition
(ii) Warning, given by a Police Officer, to a person charged with an offence
Term
Caution
Definition
(iii) Warning, given by a Police Officer, instead of a charge
Term
Caveat emptor
Definition
Let the buyer beware
Term
Chambers
Definition
(i) Private room, or Court from which the public are excluded in which a District Judge or Judge may conduct certain sorts of hearings
Term
Chambers
Definition
(ii) Offices used by a barrister
Term
Chancellor of the High Court
Definition
Head of the Chancery Division of the High Court
Term
Chancery Division
Definition
Division of the High Court which deals with company and commercial matters
Term
Charge
Definition
A formal accusation against a person that a criminal offence has been committed
Term
Charterparty
Definition
A commercial agreement by which a person wishing to export/import goods, engages for hire an entire vessel for the purpose
Term
Chattel
Definition
Name given in law to personal property
Term
Cheque
Definition
A written order addressed by a person (the drawer) to a banker to pay money, generally to some third party (the payee)
Term
Chose
Definition
A thing
Term
Chose in Action
Definition
A thing of which a person has not the present enjoyment, but merely the right to recover it (if withheld) by action. Money held in a bank account is a chose in action
Term
Circuit Judge
Definition
A judge who sits in the County Court and/or the Crown Court
Term
Civil
Definition
Matters concerning individuals and not the State
Term
Civil System
Definition
System of jurisdiction derived from Roman law as opposed to common law systems
Term
Claimant
Definition
Party issuing a claim. Previously known as the plaintiff
Term
Committal for Trial
Definition
(i) Committal for Trial: Following examination by the Magistrates of a case involving an indictable or either way offence, the procedure of directing the case to the Crown Court to be dealt with
Term
Committal for Sentence
Definition
(ii) Committal for Sentence: Where the Magistrates consider that the offence justifies a sentence greater than they are empowered to impose they may commit the defendant to the Crown Court for sentence to be passed by a judge
Term
Committal Order
Definition
(iii) Committal Order: An order of the Court committing someone to prison
Term
Committal
Definition
(ii) Committal for Sentence: Where the Magistrates consider that the offence justifies a sentence greater than they are empowered to impose they may commit the defendant to the Crown Court for sentence to be passed by a judge
Term
Committal
Definition
(iii) Committal Order: An order of the Court committing someone to prison
Term
Common Law
Definition
(i) Law established by judgements. Distinguished from a civil system
Term
Common Law
Definition
(ii) Law derived from the jurisdiction of the common law courts as opposed to the Court of Chancery
Term
Compensation
Definition
Sums of money which gives recompense for loss suffered by an individual
Term
Considered
Definition
Used where a court discusses a reported case, but not reached a conclusion as to its application
Term
Contempt of Court
Definition
Disobedience of the judicial process
Term
Contributory negligence
Definition
The extent to which a party contributed to their injury. A finding of contributory negligence has the consequence that the claimant's damages may be reduced. See Law Reform (Contributory Negligence) Act 1945
Term
Corroboration
Definition
Evidence of one person confirming that of another
Term
Counsel
Definition
Barrister
Term
Counterclaim
Definition
A claim made by a defendant against a claimant in an action
Term
County Court
Definition
County Courts deal with civil matters including all monetary claims up to £15,000
Term
Court
Definition
Body with judicial authority
Term
Court of Appeal
Definition
Divided into -
(i) civil
(ii) criminal
It hears appeals from decisions of the High Court and County Courts and, against convictions or sentences passed by the Crown Court
Term
Creditor
Definition
A person to whom money is owed by a debtor
Term
Criminal
Definition
A person found guilty of a criminal offence
Term
Crown Court
Definition
Deals with all crime committed for trial by Magistrates Courts. Cases for trial are heard before a judge and jury. Also acts as an appeal Court for cases heard and dealt with by the Magistrates. Can also deal with some family and civil matters
Term
Curia advisari vult
Definition
The court took time. This tag usually appears in a law report in the truncated form cur adv vult. It means that after argument the court retired to consider its decision prior to delivering judgement
Term
Damages
Definition
A sum of money claim as compensation for a wrong occasioned
Term
De facto
Definition
In fact
Term
De jure
Definition
By right
Term
De minimis non curat lex
Definition
The law takes no account of trifling matters
Term
Debtor
Definition
Person owing money to a creditor
Term
Declaration
Definition
Court order setting out the rights of a party
Term
Default judgement
Definition
Obtained by the claimant as a result of the failure of a defendant to comply with the requirements of a claim
Term
Defendant
Definition
(i) person sued in civil matters
(ii) person standing trial or appearing for sentence in criminal matters
Term
Distinguished
Definition
Used where a court does not wish to apply an earlier case, but has no power to overrule it because of the doctrine of star decisis
Term
District Judge
Definition
A judicial officer of the Court whose duties involve hearing applications made within proceedings and final hearings subject to any limit of jurisdiction
Term
Divisional Court
Definition
Original jurisdiction of their own, all three divisions of the High Court have appellate jurisdiction to hear appeals from lower Courts and tribunals
Term
Divisional Court of the Chancery Division
Definition
Deals with appeals in bankruptcy matters from the County Court
Term
Divisional Court of the Queen's Bench Division
Definition
Deals largely with certain appeals on points of law from many Courts
Term
Divisional Court of the Family Division
Definition
Deals largely with appeals from Magistrates Courts in matrimonial matters a 'next friend' or 'guardian ad litem'
Term
Dock
Definition
Place for the defendant in a criminal court
Term
Doli incapax
Definition
Incapable of crime
Term
Either way offence
Definition
An offence for which the accused may elect the case to be dealt with either summarily by the magistrates or by committal to the Crown Court to be tried by jury
Term
Equity
Definition
Body of legal principles developed by the Court of Chancery
Term
Ex parte
Definition
By a party. An ex parte application is made by one party. They are now known as without notice applications
Term
Ex turpi causa non oritur actio
Definition
No right of action arises from a base cause
Term
Examination in chief
Definition
Examination of a witness by the person who calls him
Term
Executor
Definition
A person(s) specified to carry out the terms of a will
Term
Family Division
Definition
Division of the High Court which deals with family matters such as divorce of wardship
Term
Garnishee
Definition
A summons issued by a claimant, against a third party, for seizure of money or other assets in their keeping, but belonging to the defendant
Term
Guarantor
Definition
Someone who promises to make payment for another if payment is not made by the person responsible for making the repayments of a loan or hire purchase agreement
Term
Habeas Corpus
Definition
Produce the body. A writ commanding that a person held in custody be produced before the court
Term
Head of Criminal Justice
Definition
Formally held by the Lord Chief Justice, but created as a separate post following changes to the role by the Constitutional Reform Act 2005
Term
High Court
Definition
A Civil Court which consists of three divisions -
(i) Queen's Bench - civil disputes for recovery of money, including breach of contract, personal injuries, libel/slander
(ii) Family - concerned with matrimonial matters and proceedings relating to children, eg wardship
(iii) Chancery - property matters including fraud and bankruptcy
Term
House of Lords
Definition
The appellate Committee of - previously the highest court in the UK
Term
Ignoratia juris non excusat
Definition
Ignorance of the law is no excuse
Term
In camera
Definition
In the chamber. An in camera hearing is held in private
Term
In curia
Definition
In open court
Term
In limine
Definition
On the threshold. An in limine objection is a preliminary objection
Term
In loco parentis
Definition
In place of a parent
Term
In personam
Definition
Against the person
Term
In rem
Definition
Against the matter. Proceedings directed against property as opposed to an individual
Term
Indictable offence
Definition
A criminal offence triable only the Crown Court
Term
Injunction
Definition
An order by a Court either restraining a person or persons from carrying out a course of action or directing that a course of action be complied with. Failure to carry out terms of the order is a contempt of court
Term
Inns of Court
Definition
Lincoln's Inn, Inner Temple, Middle Temple, Gray's Inn. Together they enjoy the privilege of being able to confer the status or degree of barrister on an individual
Term
Inter vivos
Definition
Between living persons
Term
Interlocutory
Definition
Interim, pending a full order/decision
Term
Intestate
Definition
To die without a will
Term
Intra vires
Definition
Within the powers
Term
Issue
Definition
To initiate civil proceedings
Term
Judge
Definition
Officer appointed to administer court proceedings
Term
Judgement
Definition
Final decision of a court
Term
Juror
Definition
A person summoned to court to be part of a jury
Term
Jury
Definition
Body of lay persons convened to hear a criminal (through sometimes a civil) matter. A jury consists of 12 jurors
Term
Justice of the Peace
Definition
A lay Magistrate
Term
Jurisdiction
Definition
The area over which a court has legal authority
Term
Law Lords
Definition
Describes the judges who sat on the Appellate Committee of the House of Lords
Term
Lien
Definition
A legal right to withhold goods/property of another until payment is made
Term
Litigation
Definition
Legal proceedings
Term
Locus in quo
Definition
The place in which
Term
Long Vacation
Definition
Period between 1st August and 30th September when the High Court only hears urgent matters
Term
Lord Chancellor
Definition
The cabinet minister responsible for the Ministry of Justice
Term
Lord Chief Justice
Definition
The head of the Judiciary in England and Wales
Term
Lord Justice of Appeal
Definition
Title given to certain judges who sit in the Court of Appeal
Term
Lord of the Appeal in Ordinary
Definition
Official title of a Law Lord
Term
Lords Spiritual
Definition
Those bishops holding seats in the House of Lords. The Archbishops of Canterbury and York, the Bishops of London, Durham and Winchester and 21 other bishops
Term
Lords Temporal
Definition
The peers of the realm with seats in the House of Lords, other than the Lords Spiritual
Term
Magistrates Court
Definition
A Court where criminal proceedings are commenced before justices of the peace who examine the evidence/statements and either deal with the case themselves or commit to the Crown Court for trial or sentence. Also has jurisdiction in a range of civil matters
Term
Master
Definition
Judicial Officer of the High Court in the Royal Courts of Justice who normally deals with preliminary matters before trial
Term
Masters of the Rolls
Definition
Senior civil judge in the Court of Appeal
Term
Mens rea
Definition
Guilty mind
Term
Mitigation
Definition
(i) Reasons for lessening a sentence which might be imposed in criminal matters
(ii) In civil law it refers to limiting one's losses after an act
Term
Mortgagee
Definition
The creditor in whose favour a mortgage is created
Term
Mortgagor
Definition
The debtor who creates a mortgage
Term
Nemo agit in se ipsum
Definition
No one brings legal proceedings against himself
Term
Nemo dat quod non habet
Definition
No one can give that which he has not
Term
Nemo debet judex esse in causa sua propris
Definition
No one ought to be a Judge in his own cause
Term
Non est factum
Definition
This is not my deed
Term
Notary Public
Definition
A person authorised to swear oaths and certify the execution of deeds
Term
Oath
Definition
A verbal promise by a person with religious beliefs to tell the truth
Term
Obiter dictum
Definition
Things said by the way. That part of a judgement which is not necessary for the decision but the judge makes comment upon it
Term
Official Solicitor
Definition
A solicitor or barrister appointed by the Lord Chancellor and working the Lord Chancellor's department. The duties include representing, in legal proceedings, people who are incapable of looking after their own affairs, ie. children/persons suffering from mental illness
Term
Onus probandi
Definition
Burden of proof
Term
Order
Definition
Direction of the court
Term
Overruled
Definition
Used where a court checks the correctness of a decision and declares that it is no longer good law
Term
Pari passu
Definition
On an equal footing
Term
Parol
Definition
Anything done by word of mouth
Term
Per curiam
Definition
By the Court. An expression indicating that a decision was arrived at by the Court
Term
Personal Application
Definition
An application made to the Court by an individual without legal representation
Term
Plantiff
Definition
Former name of a person initiating civil legal proceedings. Now known as claimant
Term
Precedent
Definition
The decision of a case which established principles of law that act as an authority for future cases of a similar nature
Term
President of the Family Division
Definition
Senoir judge in the Family Division of the High Court
Term
President of the Queen's Bench Division
Definition
Senior judge of the Queen's Bench Division of the High Court
Term
Probate
Definition
Legal recognition of the validity of a will
Term
Prosecution
Definition
The institution or conduct of criminal proceedings against a person
Term
Puisne Judge
Definition
(pronounced puny) High Court Judge. Any judge of the High Court other than the heads of each division. The word puisne means junior and is used to distinguish High Court judges from senior judges sitting at the Court of Appeal
Term
Quash
Definition
To declare something is no longer vallid
Term
Quasi
Definition
As if
Term
Quantum
Definition
The amount of a claim for damages which is determined by the court
Term
Queen's Bench Division
Definition
Division of the High Court which deals with contract disputes and other matters not dealt with in the other Divisions
Term
Queen's Counsel
Definition
Barristers of at least 10 years standing may apply to become Queen's Counsel. QC's undertake work of an important nature and are referred to as 'silks' which is derived from the Courts' gown that is worn. Known as King's Counsel if a King assumes the throne
Term
Ratio decidendi
Definition
Reasons for the decision. That part of a judgement which forms the basis for the decision. The opposite of obiter dictum
Term
Recorder
Definition
Members of the legal profession (barristers or solicitors) who are appointed to act in a judicial capacity on a part time basis
Term
Res ipsa loquitur
Definition
The thing speaks for itself
Term
Res judicata
Definition
A thing adjudged
Term
Respondent
Definition
The person on whom a petition or originating application is served. Also, the party other than an appellant against whom an appeal is raised
Term
Reversed
Definition
A higher court has determined that the decision of the lower court in the same case was wrong
Term
Right of audience
Definition
Entitlement to appear before a Court in a legal capacity and conduct proceedings on behalf of a party to the proceedings
Term
Senior Courts
Definition
Collective name of the Crown Court, High Court, Divisional Courts and Court of Appeal, and The Supreme Court
Term
SIlk
Definition
Alternative name for a Queen's Counsel, so-called because of the material from which their gowns are made
Term
Solicitor
Definition
Member of the legal profession chiefly concerned with advising clients and preparing their cases. Also have rights of audience
Term
Statutory Instrument
Definition
A document issued by the delegated authority (usually a Government Minister or Committee) named within an Act of Parliament, which affects the workings of the original Act
Term
Stevedore
Definition
A person whose job it is to stow goods in a ship's hold, and to discharge cargo
Term
Stipendiary Magistrate
Definition
Legally qualified and salaried Magistrate
Term
Sub judice
Definition
In the course of trial. A matter which is sub judice is being considered by the court
Term
Subpoena
Definition
Summons ordering an individual to attend court to give evidence
Term
Sui generis
Definition
A person of full age (18) and of sound mind
Term
Summary judgement
Definition
Judgement obtained by a plaintiff where there is no defence to the case
Term
Summary offence
Definition
An offence triable only by the Magistrate's Court
Term
Summing-up
Definition
The summary of the evidence and the law made by the judge in a matter before a jury retires to consider the verdict in a criminal matter
Term
Supreme Court
Definition
Name of the highest court in the UK
Term
Supreme Court of Judicature
Definition
Former name of the Senior Courts
Term
Testator
Definition
A person who makes a will
Term
Ultra vires
Definition
Beyond the powers
Term
Verdict
Definition
The finding of guilt or innocence made by a jury
Term
Vice-Chancellor
Definition
Former title of the Chancellor of the High Court
Term
Volenti non fit injuria
Definition
No injury is done to a person who consents
Term
Will
Definition
A document detailing a distribution of assets on the maker's death
Term
Witness
Definition
A person who gives evidence at court
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