Paralegal Glossary

Paralegal Glossary Do you love justice? You you want to help the little guy get some justice in an unfair world? Paralegal Technology could be the field of study for you. Here is a glossary of legal terms every paralegal needs to know in English. Blogtrepreneur [CC BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)] accusedThe defendant or defendants appearing on a criminal charge. actA proceeding designed to have a legal effect. An act by an individual aimed at altering, terminating, or otherwise affecting a legal right. affidavitA written statement confirmed by oath or affirmation, for use as evidence in court. allegationA claim or assertion that someone has done something illegal or wrong, typically one made without proof. appearance lawIn law, appearance is the coming into court of either of the parties to a lawsuit, and/or the formal act by which a defendant submits himself to the jurisdiction of the court. appellate courtA court having jurisdiction to review decisions of a trial-level or other lower court. appellantA person who applies to a higher court for a reversal of the decision of a lower court. argumentA reason or set of reasons given with the aim of persuading others that an action or idea is right or wrong. assaultMake a physical attack on. attorneyOne who is legally appointed to transact business on another’s behalf; especially : lawyer. authorityLegal permission granted to a person to perform a specified act. bail bondBond provided by an insurance company through a bail bondsman acting as agent for the company. bailSecurity given for the release of a prisoner on bail. bailiffAn officer, similar to a sheriff’s deputy, employed to execute writs and processes, make arrests, keep order in the court. barristerA lawyer entitled to practice in the higher courts of the United Kingdom. burden of proofThe obligation to prove one’s assertion. burglarA person who commits burglary; housebreaker. caseA suit or action in law or equity. child support paymentMoney that one spouse must give to another spouse (or legal guardian) every month to help care for the children. Civil Code of QuebecThe civil code in force in the Province of Quebec, Canada, which came into effect on January 1, 1994. claimTo demand by virtue of a right. clauseA particular and separate article, stipulation, or proviso in a treaty, bill, or contract. clerkA person employed in an office or bank to keep records and accounts and to undertake other routine administrative duties. common goodThe advantage or benefit of all people in society or in a group. common lawThe part of english law that is derived from custom and judicial precedent rather than statutes. Often contrasted with statutory law. compensatory allowanceTo make amends to someone. complainantA plaintiff in certain lawsuits. condemnTo express an unfavorable or adverse judgment on. constitutional lawThe body of law which defines the relationship of different entities within a state, namely, the executive, the legislature, and the judiciary. contractA formal agreement between two or more parties. corporationA company or group of people authorized to act as a single entity (legally a person) and recognized as such in law. courtA court is a place where legal matters are decided by a judge and jury or by a magistrate. court of appealsA court to which appeals are taken in a federal circuit or a state. court orderA direction issued by a court or a judge requiring a person to do or not do something. courthouseA public building in which courts of law are held. criminal recordA history of being convicted for crime. custodyThe act of keeping safe or guarding; the right of guardianship of a minor. damagesA sum of money claimed or awarded in compensation for a loss or an injury. debtSomething that is owned or that one is bound to pay to or perform for another. debtorA person or commercial enterprise that owes a financial obligation. default judgementA judgment entered in favor of the plaintiff when the defendant defaults (fails to appear in court). defendantAn individual, company, or institution sued or accused in a court of law. denunciationA charge or accusation of crime made by an individual before a public prosecutor or tribunal. dismissTo bid or allow a person to go. dismissal, firingThe act of being dismissed, fired from a job. distensionThe act of distending or the state of being distended. docketA calendar of the cases awaiting action in a court. doctrineA belief or set of beliefs held and taught by a church, political party, or other group. due processFair treatment through the normal judicial system, esp. As a citizen’s entitlement. dwellingA shelter (as a house) in which people live. enactTo represent or perform in or as if in a play; to act out. evidenceMatter produced before a court of law in an attempt to prove or disprove a point in issue, such as the statements of witnesses, documents, material objects, etc. expert witnessA person who is permitted to testify at a trial because of special knowledge or proficiency in a particular field that is relevant to the case. expungeErase or remove completely (something unwanted or unpleasant). family lawAn area of the law that deals with family-related matters and domestic relations, including: marriage, civil unions, and domestic partnerships; adoption and surrogacy, etc. felonyA serious crime, usually punishable by at least one year in prison. fiduciaryInvolving trust, esp. With regard to the relationship between a trustee and a beneficiary. formal noticeNotification or warning of something, esp. To allow preparations to be made. fraudWrongful or criminal deception intended to result in financial or personal gain. grand juryA jury, normally of twenty-three jurors, selected to examine the validity of an accusation before trial. grievanceA real or imagined wrong or other cause for complaint or protest, such as unfair treatment. guiltyCulpable of or responsible for a specified wrongdoing. habeas corpusA writ requiring a person under arrest to be brought before a judge or into court, esp. To secure the person’s release unless lawful grounds are shown for their detention. half-way houseA place where persons are aided in readjusting to society following a period of imprisonment, hospitalization, etc. hearingAn opportunity to state one’s case. inadmissibleNot admissible or allowable. incarcerationThe state of being confined in prison; imprisonment. indictTo make a formal accusation or indictment against (a party) by the findings of a jury, especially a grand jury. injunctionAn authoritative warning or order. inmatePersons confined in prison, jails, and other correctional facilities that house those convicted of crimes. interlocutory judgementA judgment that determines a preliminary or side issue in the case, but does not finally decide the case. judgeA public official with authority to hear cases in a court of law and pronounce judgment upon them. jurisprudenceThe theory or philosophy of law. jurisprudentialRelating to the science or philosophy of law or a system of laws. juristAn expert in or writer on law. justiceJust behavior or treatment. labor lawLabour law mediates the relationship between workers, employers, trade unions and the government. Collective labour law relates to the tripartite relationship between employee, employer and union. landlordOne that owns and rents land, buildings, or dwelling units. lawThe system of rules that a particular country or community recognizes as regulating the actions of its members and may enforce by the imposition of penalties. law enforcement agencyA group of people responsible for insuring obedience of legal rules. lawsuitA case in a court of law involving a claim, complaint, etc. lawsuitA proceeding in a court of law brought by one party against another, esp. A civil action. lawyerA person who practices or studies law; an attorney or a counselor. legal actLaw is a term which does not have a universally accepted definition, but one definition is that law is a system of rules and guidelines which are enforced through social institutions to govern behavior. legal aidFree legal advice or representation for a person who cannot afford it. legal researchLegal research is “the process of identifying and retrieving information necessary to support legal decision-making. lethalCapable of causing death. limitationA certain period of time, legally defined, within which an action, claim, etc., must be commenced. litigantA person engaged in a lawsuit. litigatingTo make the subject of a lawsuit, contest at law. litigationThe act or process of litigating. loiteringRemaining in an area for no obvious reason. manslaughterThe unlawful killing of a human being without express or implied malice. mediationIntervention in a dispute in order to resolve it; arbitration. mistrialAn invalid trial, caused by fundamental error. When a mistrial is declared, the trial must start again with the selection of a new jury. monographA detailed written study of a single specialized subject or an aspect of it. notaryA person authorized to perform certain legal formalities, esp. To draw up or certify contracts, deeds, and other documents for use in other jurisdictions. notaryA public officer or other person authorized to authenticate contracts, acknowledge deeds, take affidavits, protest bills of exchange, take deposition. notificationThe action of notifying someone or something. oathA solemn, formal declaration or promise to fulfill a pledge, often calling on god, a god, or a sacred object as witness. offenseA breach of a law or rule; an illegal act. overruleTo disallow the action or arguments of, especially by virtue of higher authority: the defense attorney’s objection was overruled by the judge. panelTo select or impanel (a jury). penalOf, relating to, constituting, or prescribing punishment. petty theftA criminal act in which property belonging to another is taken without that persons consent. plaintiffA person who brings a case against another in a court of law. pleaAn earnest request; an appeal: spoke out in a plea for greater tolerance. pleadingA formal statement of the cause of an action or defense. pledgeA solemn promise or agreement to do or refrain from doing something. police headquartersThe administrative police center. prejudiceHarm or injury that results or may result from some action or judgment. probationThe release of an offender from detention, subject to a period of good behavior under supervision. proofSomething that induces certainty or establishes validity. prosecuteTo hold a trial against a person who is accused of a crime to see if that person is guilty. prosecutorA person, esp. A public official, who institutes legal proceedings against someone. proxyThe agency, function, r power of a person authorized to act as the deputy or substitute for another. Quebec BarThe provincial law society for lawyers in Quebec, Canada. It was founded May 30, 1849, as the Bar of Lower Canada. reasonable doubtBeyond reasonable doubt is the standard of evidence required to validate a criminal conviction in most adversarial legal systems. recourseThe act of resorting to a person, course of action, etc., in difficulty or danger. recourse to legal actionAn action that can be taken by an individual or a corporation to attempt to remedy a legal difficulty. recover damagesTo succeed in a lawsuit. To obtain from waste. To make a recovery. recusalThe disqualification of a judge or jury by reason of prejudice or conflict of interest; a judge can be recused by objections of either party or judges can disqualify themselves. relinquishmentTo renounce or surrender. remandTo send back, remit or consign again. requestAn act of asking politely or formally for something. requestThe act or an instance of requesting, esp. In the form of a written statement; petition or solicitation. respondentA defendant in a lawsuit, especially one in an appeals or divorce case. revokePut an end to the validity or operation of (a decree, decision, or promise). seizingThe act of a person or thing that seizes. seizureThe act or an instance of seizing. sentenceThe punishment assigned to a defendant found guilty by a court, or fixed by law for a particular offense. subpoenaA writ ordering a person to attend a court. subrogationThe substitution of one person in the place of another with reference to a lawful claim, demand, or right. subscriptionA sum of money given or pledged as contribution, payment, investment. successionThe act or an instance of one person or thing following another. summonsA summons is an official order to appear in court. superior courtA court with general jurisdiction over other courts; a higher court. suretyMoney or something valuable which you give to someone to show that you will do what you have promised. sustainTo keep in existence; maintain. testimonyA solemn declaration usually made orally by a witness under oath in response to interrogation by a lawyer or authorized public official. appellantA person who applies to a higher court for a reversal of the decision of a lower court. thiefOne that steals especially stealthily or secretly. trialA formal examination of evidence before a judge, and typically before a jury, in order to decide guilt in a case of criminal or civil proceedings. trustFirm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something. trusteeAn individual person or member of a board given control or powers of administration of property in trust with a legal obligation to administer it solely for the purposes specified. upholdTo maintain or affirm against opposition. venueThe locality where a crime is committed or a cause of action occurs. verdictA decision on a disputed issue in a civil or criminal case or an inquest. VINVehicle identification number. waiverAn intentional relinquishment of some right, interest, or the like. wantedTo be hunted or sought in order to apprehend. warningTo give notice to beforehand especially of danger or evil. warrantA commission or document giving authority to do something. weaponSomething (as a club, kknife, or gun) used to injure, defeat, or destroy. witnessA person who sees an event, typically a crime or accident, take place. witness standA stand or an enclosure from which a witness gives evidence in a court. writsA formal order under seal, issued in the name of sovereign, government, court, or other competent authority, enjoining the officer or other person to whom it is issued or addressed to do or refrain from some specified act. young offenderA criminal from 12 to 17 years of age. Please follow and like us: