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NALS Chapter11_75499
Vocabulary
Term | Definition |
---|---|
affirmative defense | A defense to the plaintiff's defense raised in the defendants answer. |
Allegation | Number paragraphs setting forth the background and reasons for filing suit |
Amendement to pleading | An amended pleading is one that is corrected in regard to facts that existed at the time the original pleading was filed . Contrast to supplemental pleading. |
Answers | |
Appeal | A proceedings brought to a higher court to review a lower court's decision. |
Appellant | The party who takes an appeal from one court or jurisdiction to another |
Appelle | The party in cause against whom an appeal is taken |
Assumption of risk | The legal rule under which a person may not recover from an injury he or she receives when voluntarily exposing himself or herself to a known danger |
At issue | The term used to describe the status of litigation when the complaint and a responsive pleading have been filed |
Attorney-client Privilege | The privilege that protects confidential communications, oral or written, between the attorney and a client in the course of the professional relationship that cannot be disclosed without the consent of the client |
Bench trial | Trial by judge, rather than a jury |
bill of costs | A certified, itemized statement of the amount of costs in an action or suit |
Caption or style | The title of the case which usually includes names of the court, the names of the parties, and the court number |
Case number | |
Challenge for cause | A request by a plaintiff of the defendant to a judge that a prospective juror not be allowed to be a member of the jury because of specified causes or reasons. See peremptory chalenge |
Civil cover sheet | A cover sheet required by many courts listing the parties, the type of action , and other information related to the case that may be administratively useful to the court |
Closing Arguments | A summary presented by each party to a case that gives the jury reasons to find in the party's favor |
Claimant | One who claims or asserts a right |
Comparative Negligence | The rule under which negligence is measured by percentage and damages are diminished in proportion to the amount of negligence attributable to the plaintiff |
Complaint | The original pleading by which an action is filed in court. |
Contingency Fee | A fee that is a percentage of the amount obtained in negotiation or litigation with another party |
Continue or Continuance | |
Contributory negligence | An affirmative defense that asserts the injuries and damages complained of by the plaintiff were caused in whole or in part by the plaintiff own negligance |
Counter Claim | A claim presented by a defendant in opposition to or for deduction from the claim of plaintiff |
Cross-Claim | A pleading filed by a defendant that asserts a claim against another defendant arising out of the same action as the original complaint |
Cross-examine | Questioning of a party by opposing counsel |
Default | (1) Failure of the defendant to appear or respond to a petitioner or complaint in litigation. (1) Failure to comply with the terms of a contract |
Default judgment | When a party fails to appear or respond to a petition or complaint, judgment can be granted to the oppossing part by default |
Defendant | (1) Person or entity defending or denying a suit. (2) The party against whom recovery is sought or the accused in a criminal case |
Deposition | Testimony of a witness or a party taken under the oath outside the courtroom. |
Direct Examination | Questioning of a party to litigation conducted by the party's counsel |
Discovery | The process by which a party to a lawsuit is entitled to obtain facts, documents, and information about the case |
Entry of appearance | Formal entry of attorney into a case, presented to the court in pleading form |
Failure to state claim | Affirmative defense that alleges that the plaintiff failed to star a claim that the court can require the defendant to satisfy |
Fiduciary | A person or institution that manages money or property of another and must exercise a standard of care imposed by law, e.g., the personal representative or executor of an estate, a trustee, etc. |
Flat Fee | A set fee based on a specific type of legal work |
Hung Jury | A jury that cannot decide a verdict; a hung jury results in a mistrial |
Impeach | Discredit, as a witness for an opposing party |
Injunction relief | |
Judgment Creditor | One who is owed money was a result of a judgement in favor of a creditor |
Judgment Debitor | One who owes money a result of a judgment in favor of a creditor |
Judgment proof | A judgment that has no assets to seize in the satisfaction of a judgment is considered judgment proof |
Jurisdiction | |
Laches | An affirmative defense that alleges an inappropriate delay in filling a suit that resulted in prejudice to the defendant |
Leave of Court | Permission of court to take some action |
Legal file | A transcript of court proceedings submitted as part of an appeal |
Money Damages | Damages in a case that can be reduced to financial claims |
Motion for continuance | A motion that seeks to post pone a trial or hearing date |
Motion for dismissal | |
Motion for instructed or directed verdict | A motion typically made by the defendant's lawyer at the close of evidence presented by the plaintiff, based on the premise that the plaintiff has failed to prove his or her case |
Motion for Judgment non obstante veredicto or not with standing the verdict | A post trial that asks the judge to disregard a jury's verdict |
Motion for Mistrial | A motion that request immediate dismissal of a cue because inadmissible evidence has been presented that irreparably damages one of the parties case |
Motion for new trial | A posttrial motion that is filed prior to request ion an appeal |
Motion for non suit | A motion requesting the court to dismiss the cause for lack of action on the part of the opposing party. in various courts, the action is referred to as a voluntarily dismissal or motion for dismissal |
Motion for order to show cause | A motion that request ion the court to issue a specific relief for the filing party that requires the opposing party to appear and demonstrate, or show cause, why the relief should not be granted. |