10 Legal Terms You Need To Know
Legal jargon can be either confusing or intimidating – or both. While lawyers use these terms on a daily basis, those not familiar with the legal system may find it a challenge to decipher terms that are crucial for understanding their lawsuit. The following ten legal terms are important to know as they could potentially come up in discussions with your lawyer, in documents, or even in current events. Here are the 10 legal terms.
1. Plaintiffs
All civil cases have plaintiffs, who are the people that bring a lawsuit because they were wronged by another party.
2. Initial Pleading
Most law suits begin with an initial pleading that can take forms such as a petition, complaint, or application. This pleading identifies the involved actors, reason for action, and relief.
3. Service of Process
Service of Process occurs when the initial pleading is given as formal notice to the other parties – signaling the start of the legal process.
4. Responsive Pleading
The opposing parties can then file a responsive pleading, which is a document that provides a legal response to the initial pleading with answers, defenses, and/or counterclaims.
5. Discovery
Discovery is an important legal process that allows all parties to request and gather information on a case through depositions and exchange of documents.
Inside The Courtroom
6. Motion
A motion is filed by a party in order to receive a court order regarding a case. Motions contain an overview of the moving party’s request, legal arguments, and evidence.
7. Adjourned
When a court case is adjourned, it has been temporarily postponed.
8. Subpoenaed
If an individual is subpoenaed they are legally compelled to appear in court.
9. Decision
Furthermore, if a decision is made in court case, that means the court has reached a verdict.
10. Damages
This decision may contain damages, which refers to the money that must be paid to a party who has suffered an economic or non-economic loss.
