Legal Glossary
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Legal Terminology
Legal Terminology A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z A ABATES – CAUSE: Used in Criminal Division cases when the defendant has died, so the “cause” (the case) “abates” (is terminated). ACQUITTED: Defendant is found not guilty ADJUDICATION HEARING: In child abuse and neglect proceedings, the trial stage at which the court hears the state’s allegations and evidence and decides whether the state has the right to intervene on behalf of the child. In a juvenile delinquency case, a hearing in which the court hears evidence of the charges and makes a finding of whether the charges are true or not true. ADMINISTRATOR: Person appointed to oversee the handling of an estate when there is no will. ADMONISHED: A reprimand or cautionary statement addressed to an attorney or party in the case by a judge. AFFIANT: One who makes an affidavit. AFFIDAVIT: A written statement made under oath. AGE OF MAJORITY: The age when a person acquires all the rights and responsibilities of being an adult. In most states, the age is 18. ALIAS: Issued after the first instrument has not been effective or resulted in action. ALIAS SUMMONS: A second summons issued after the original summons has failed for some reason. ALIMONY: Also called maintenance or spousal support. In a divorce or separation, the money paid by one spouse to the other in order to fulfill the financial obligation that comes with marriage. ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION: Methods for resolving problems without going to court. -
Power and Legal Artifice: the Federal Class Action
Maurer School of Law: Indiana University Digital Repository @ Maurer Law Articles by Maurer Faculty Faculty Scholarship 1992 Power and Legal Artifice: The ederF al Class Action Bryant Garth Indiana University School of Law Follow this and additional works at: https://www.repository.law.indiana.edu/facpub Part of the Civil Procedure Commons, and the Litigation Commons Recommended Citation Garth, Bryant, "Power and Legal Artifice: The ederF al Class Action" (1992). Articles by Maurer Faculty. 2482. https://www.repository.law.indiana.edu/facpub/2482 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Faculty Scholarship at Digital Repository @ Maurer Law. It has been accepted for inclusion in Articles by Maurer Faculty by an authorized administrator of Digital Repository @ Maurer Law. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Power and Legal Artifice: The Federal Class Action Bryant G. Garth Using case studies and interviews with lawyers and representatives in class actions, this article explores the contribution that class actions make to their ostensible beneficiaries. The article first distinguishes the major types of class actions in terms of the roles of lawyers and class representatives, ranging from very passive representatives to individuals intensively involved with the dispute that gave rise to the litigation. The article next seeks to eval- uate the class actions. On the basis of the results of the class actions, the article finds that class actions cannot be proclaimed major contributors to social change. The focus on results, however, is somewhat misleading. The class action plays a much more significant role through its impact on the par- ties as litigants and as individuals involved with a dispute. -
Glossary of Legal Terms
GLOSSARY OF LEGAL TERMS This glossary defines a number of terms in common legal use. Many books on the law for non-lawyers contain glossaries. Check your library or bookstore. See especially, Lile Denniston’s The Reporter and the Law (New York: Hastings House, 1980), Barron’s Dictionary of Legal Terms (New York: Barron’s Educational Series, 1998) and Black’s Law Dictionary (West Publishing Company, Minneapolis). acquittal A finding of “not guilty,” certifying the innocence of a person charged with a crime. adversary system The trial methods used in the U.S. and some other countries, based on the belief that the trust can best be determined by giving opposing parties full opportunity to present and establish their evidence, and to test by cross-examination the evidence presented by their adversaries, under established rules of procedure before an impartial judge and/or jury. alternative dispute resolution Processes that people can use to help resolve conflicts rather than going to court. Common ADR methods include mediation, arbitration and negotiation. Amicus curiae A friend of the court; one not a party to the case who volunteers to offer information on a point of law or some other aspect of the case to assist the court in deciding a matter before it. appeal A request by the losing party in a lawsuit that the judgment be reviewed by a higher court. appellant The party who initiates an appeal. Sometimes called a petitioner. appellate court A court having jurisdiction to hear appeals and review a trial court’s decision. appellee The party against whom an appeal is taken, sometimes called a respondent. -
Part 1: Introduction to American Legal Case Reading and Discussion
Rei32020_Read1.qxd 1/30/07 2:44 PM Page 1 PART 1 INTRODUCTION TO AMERICAN LEGAL CASE READING AND DISCUSSION Rei32020_Read1.qxd 1/30/07 2:44 PM Page 2 Reading 1 The United States Legal System— The Courts and the Law Hierarchy of State and Federal Courts In the United States, state and federal constitutions provide for the establishment of the court system and give courts judicial power. The federal court system and most state court systems organize their courts in a hierarchy consisting of lower- level or trial courts, appellate courts, and a supreme court (see Figs. 1 and 2). Jurisdiction If a court has subject-matter jurisdiction, it has the authority to adjudicate or deter- mine the outcome of a legal matter. The Constitution of the United States, to bal- ance the power of the federal and state governments, specifically limits the scope of jurisdiction over the types of cases that federal courts may hear. Thus, it can be said that federal courts have limited jurisdiction. Under Article III, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution, their jurisdiction includes, among other things, all cases “arising under this Constitution, the Laws of the United States, and Treaties,” controversies in which the United States is a party and “Controversies between two or more States” or “Citizens of different States.” Also considered courts of limited or special jurisdiction are those courts that, by statute, are limited to particular types of cases they can hear—for example, state probate and juvenile courts. State courts may be regarded as courts of general jurisdiction because they have the authority to hear a broader range of cases. -
Equity, Due Process and the Seventh Amendment: a Commentary on the Zenith Case
Michigan Law Review Volume 81 Issue 7 1983 Equity, Due Process and the Seventh Amendment: A Commentary on the Zenith Case Patrick Devlin British House of Lords Follow this and additional works at: https://repository.law.umich.edu/mlr Part of the Common Law Commons, Constitutional Law Commons, Courts Commons, and the Litigation Commons Recommended Citation Patrick Devlin, Equity, Due Process and the Seventh Amendment: A Commentary on the Zenith Case, 81 MICH. L. REV. 1571 (1983). Available at: https://repository.law.umich.edu/mlr/vol81/iss7/2 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Michigan Law Review at University of Michigan Law School Scholarship Repository. It has been accepted for inclusion in Michigan Law Review by an authorized editor of University of Michigan Law School Scholarship Repository. For more information, please contact [email protected]. EQUITY, DUE PROCESS AND THE SEVENTH AMENDMENT:ACOMMENTARYONTHE ZENITH CASE* Patrick Devlin** TABLE OF CONTENTS I. INTRODUCTION .•••••.••.•••.•••..•..•..••.•••••••.•••. 1571 II. EQUITY AS DUE PROCESS .•.•..•.•.•••.•.••.•...•••.•. 1583 III. EQUITY, DUE PROCESS AND THE JURY •••••.•.•••••... 1594 IV. EQUITY AND COMPLEXITY .•••••••..••.•••....••••.•.•• 1599 V. EQUITY AND FUNDAMENTAL FAIRNESS ••••..•.••.•.••• 1605 VI. THE DARK AGES: 1791-1830 .......................... 1607 VII. THE TRANSFER OF JURISDICTION ••.••••...••••...••..• 1610 VIII. THE TRADITIONAL CONSTRUCTION .................... 1613 IX. ACCOUNTING IN EQUITY .............................. 1623 X. O'CONNOR v. SPAIGHT •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 1628 XI. ACCOUNT, PARTITION AND DOWER ................... 1633 XII. CONCLUSION .••.••.•..••.•••.•••..••..••••.•..••..•... 1637 I. INTRODUCTION The seventh amendment to the United States Constitution re quires that "[i]n Suits at common law . the right of trial by jury shall be preserved." What exactly is a suit at common law? When the amendment was enacted in 1791, there was no law that was com- • Copyright c 1983, Patrick Devlin. -
Law of Evidence
Law of Evidence Teaching Material Prepared by: Kahsay Debesu, (LL.B, Lecture) & Andualem Eshetu( LL.B, Assistant Lecturer) Prepared under the Sponsorship of the Justice and Legal System Research Institute 2009 Table of Contents Justified Font type: Times New Roman Font Size: 12 (Content) 14 and Bold and Center (Chapter Title) 12 and Bold (Headings) Line Spacing: 1.5 lines Single space between paragraphs TABLE OF CONTENTS page CHAPTER: Evidence law General Introduction …………………………………….1 1.1 Meaning, Nature and purpose of Evidence law……………………………………….2 1.1.1 Evidence Law defined……………………………………………………....2 1.1.2 Nature of Evidence law…………………………………………………. …5 1.1.3 Purpose /significance of Evidence law…………………………………..…8 1.2 Development of Evidence law…………………………………………………….....11 1.3 Evidence in civil and common law legal systems …………………………………..13 1.4 Evidence in Ethiopia ………………………………………………………………...22 1.5 Evidence law in civil and criminal cases ……………………………………………25 1.6 Classification of evidence……………………………………………………………30 Chapter two: Facts, which may be proved other than by evidence ………………...33 2.1 Admitted facts……………………………………………………………………….34 2.1.1 Limitations of Admissions…………………………………………………..35 2.1.2 Classification of Admission: formal and informal admissions ……………...38 2.1.3 Types of Admissions: Judicial and Extra- Judicial ……………………….....39 2.1.3.1 Judicial Admissions civil and criminal cases …………………………40 2.1.3.2. Extra- Judicial Admission: Civil and criminal case………………….51 2.2 Presumption ………………………………………………………………………..54 2.2.1 General introduction: -
An Overview of the American Legal System
New Hampshire Bar Association’s Law-Related Education Program Presents An Overview of the American Legal System A Guide for Classroom Use To Be Used in Conjunction with the Mock Trial Competition Handbook (Revised September 2004) Developed by the New Hampshire Bar Association’s Law-Related Education Program, sponsored in part by the New Hampshire Bar Association and the New Hampshire Bar Foundation. Please feel free to contact the NHBA’s Law Related Education Coordinator, Robin E. Knippers at (603) 224-6942 ext. 3259 or at [email protected], or visit our website at www.nhbar.org for more information. We welcome your comments and suggestions at any time. i Table of Contents Introduction................................................................................................................................. 4 Overview of the Judicial System ........................................................................................... 5 I. .................................................................................................................... The Role of Courts 5 II. .............................................................................. The State and Federal Court Systems 5 A. The State Court System................................................................................... 5 1. The Various Levels of the State Court System.............................. 5 2. Selection of State Court Judges........................................................8 B. The Federal Court System .............................................................................. -
Glossary of Legal Terms A
Glossary of Legal Terms [A] [B] [C] [D] [E] [F] [G] [H] [I] [J] [L] [M] [N] [O] [P] [Q] [R] [S] [T] [U] [V] [W] A abstract of record A complete history in short; abbreviated form of the case as found in the record. acquit To find a defendant not guilty in a criminal trial. adversary system The system of trial practice in the U.S. and some other countries in which each of the opposing or adversary, parties has full opportunity to present and establish its opposing contentions before the court. affidavit A written, sworn statement of facts made voluntarily, usually in support of a motion or in response to a request of the court. affirm The assertion of an appellate court that the judgment of lower court is correct and should stand. allegation The assertion, declaration or statement of a party to a lawsuit often made in a pleading or legal document, setting out what the party expects to prove at the trial. amicus curiae A friend of the court; one who interposes and volunteers information upon some matter of law. answer A pleading by which defendant endeavors to resist the plaintiff's allegation of facts. appeal A request to take a case to a higher court for review. appearance The formal proceeding by which a defendant submits himself or herself to the jurisdiction of the court. appellant The party appealing a decision or judgment to a higher court. appellate jurisdiction The power of a court to review a case that has already been tried by a lower court. -
In Defense of Implied Injunction Relief in Constitutional Cases
William & Mary Bill of Rights Journal Volume Volume 22 (2013-2014) Issue 1 Article 2 October 2013 In Defense of Implied Injunction Relief in Constitutional Cases John F. Preis Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarship.law.wm.edu/wmborj Part of the Courts Commons Repository Citation John F. Preis, In Defense of Implied Injunction Relief in Constitutional Cases, 22 Wm. & Mary Bill Rts. J. 1 (2013), https://scholarship.law.wm.edu/wmborj/vol22/iss1/2 Copyright c 2013 by the authors. This article is brought to you by the William & Mary Law School Scholarship Repository. https://scholarship.law.wm.edu/wmborj IN DEFENSE OF IMPLIED INJUNCTIVE RELIEF IN CONSTITUTIONAL CASES John F. Preis * ABSTRACT If Congress has neither authorized nor prohibited a suit to enforce the Constitution, may the federal courts create one nonetheless? At present, the answer mostly turns on the form of relief sought: if the plaintiff seeks damages, the Supreme Court will nor- mally refuse relief unless Congress has specifically authorized it; in contrast, if the plaintiff seeks an injunction, the Court will refuse relief only if Congress has specifi- cally barred it. These contradictory approaches naturally invite arguments for reform. Two common arguments—one based on the historical relationship between law and equity and the other based on separation of powers principles—could quite foreseeably combine to end implied injunctive relief as we know it. In this Article, I defend the federal courts’ power to issue injunctions in con- stitutional cases without explicit congressional authorization—a practice known as “implying” a suit for relief. -
Women's Rights in the New Somalia
! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Women’s Rights in the New Somalia: Best Practice Guidelines for MPs and CSOs ! ! ! Legal Aid Providers Supporting Survivors of Gender Based Violence in Somalia ! ! Women’s(Rights(in(the(New(Somalia:( Best(Practice(Guidelines(for(MPs(and(CSOs! ( ! ! ! Women’s Rights in the New Somalia: Best Practice Guidelines for MPs and CSOs January 2014 This report was prepared by Legal Action Worldwide (LAW). It was commissioned by IIDA Women’s Development Organization Project, and funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The!contents!of!this!report!do!not!necessarily!reflect!the!views!of!the!UNDP!or!the!UNFPA.! Women’s Development Organization (IIDA) IIDA is a non-profit organization that was founded in 1991 in Mogadishu by a group of Somali women leaders to promote women’s political, economic and social rights. IIDA formulates women- led programs that are geared towards making a lasting impression on the lives of Somali women both at home and in the Diaspora. Its mission is to promote peace and work towards non-violent means of conflict resolution, to foster and ensure the integration of Somali women in all sectors of their society, to promote education for women and the youth, to enhance women's economic self-sustenance and improve women’s health. IIDA is the largest grassroots movement in Somalia. It is able to resourcefully and successfully penetrate the grassroots, even in times when international organizations are unable to do so due to security concerns. Legal Action Worldwide LAW is an independent, non-profit organisation comprised of a network and think tank of prominent human rights lawyers and advisors. -
Instructions for Legal Assistance Request Form Thank You for Contacting the ACLU of Kentucky
AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION OF KENTUCKY 325 W. Main Street SUITE 2210 LOUISVILLE, KY 40202-3820 T 502-581-1181 | F 502-526-4443 WWW.ACLU-KY.ORG Instructions for Legal Assistance Request Form Thank you for contacting the ACLU of Kentucky. Once you return this complaint form to our office, we will review your information to determine if your complaint fits within our mission and if we have the resources to help you. Please be aware that this process can take six to eight weeks. The ACLU of Kentucky offers legal assistance for cases involving civil liberties violations in which government is involved. The ACLU of Kentucky does not handle: • disputes between private parties, including private employment disputes; • domestic disputes, or • child custody matters. Due to limited resources, the ACLU of Kentucky cannot take all cases offered to us, even some concerning real injustices. If we do not take your complaint, this does not necessarily mean that you do not have a valid constitutional concern. Because we are a small organization with limited resources, we often have to make difficult decisions when choosing the types of issues that we can adequately address. In order to expedite our intake process, do not attach any additional documentation to the complaint form. We cannot return any documents that you choose to send to us. Please note that by filling out this request for assistance, the ACLU of Kentucky is not undertaking your legal representation and is not responsible for meeting any statute of limitations restrictions in your case. If you believe you have a potential lawsuit, you should consult with an attorney immediately to ensure that you do not lose the right to bring a legal case due to any applicable time deadlines. -
Filing a Motion for Contempt in a Parentage Case
Filing a Motion for Contempt in a Parentage Case Instructions and Forms July 2011 Table of Contents Section 1: Introduction ....................................................................................................1 A. How much does a Motion for Contempt cost? .....................................................2 B. Where should my motion be filed?.......................................................................2 C. What if I have questions that this packet does not answer? ................................2 D. What if the other party is in the military or the dependent of someone in the military? ...............................................................................................................2 Section 2: Words You May Need to Know .....................................................................4 Section 3: Steps to Take to File and Argue a Motion for Contempt.............................9 Section 4: Forms in this Packet ....................................................................................12 A. To file for contempt you’ll need the following forms from this packet: ................12 B. Depending upon the case and the evidence, you may also need:.....................12 Section 5: What Other Forms And Documents Will I Need That Aren’t In This Packet? ......................................................................................................13 Section 6: Follow These General Instructions Before You Begin To Fill Out Any of the Forms ..............................................................................................14