Law Terms Glossary

Affidavit: A written statement confirmed by oath or affirmation, used as evidence in court.

Alimony: A financial support payment made by one spouse to another after separation or divorce.

Arbitration: A method of resolving disputes outside of court where an arbitrator makes a binding decision.

Breach of Contract: The failure to perform any term of a contract without a legitimate legal excuse.

Class Action: A lawsuit filed by one or more plaintiffs on behalf of a larger group of people who are affected by the same issue.

Contingency Fee: A payment arrangement where a lawyer receives a percentage of the settlement or judgment if the case is won, but nothing if the case is lost.

Criminal Record: A documented history of a person’s criminal convictions, which can affect employment and other opportunities.

Deposition: A sworn out-of-court testimony given by a witness in a legal case, recorded for later use in court.

Discovery: The pre-trial process of exchanging information between parties to a lawsuit, allowing each side to prepare for trial.

Docket: A list of cases scheduled to be tried in a court, including the details of each case.

Emancipation: A legal process that allows a minor to gain independence from their parents or guardians before reaching adulthood.

Ex Parte: A legal proceeding or communication where one party appears before the court without the other party being present.

Indemnity: A legal obligation to compensate for harm or loss incurred by another party.

Jurisdiction: The authority of a court to hear and decide a case, typically based on geographic area or subject matter.

Liability: Legal responsibility for one’s actions or omissions, which may result in being held accountable for damages or injuries.

Misdemeanor: A minor criminal offense, typically punishable by a fine or imprisonment for less than one year.

Negligence: A failure to exercise the care that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in similar circumstances, leading to harm or injury.

Plea Bargain: An agreement in a criminal case where the defendant pleads guilty to a lesser charge in exchange for a lighter sentence.

Subpoena: A legal document that orders a person to appear in court or produce evidence for a legal proceeding.

Tortfeasor: A person or entity that commits a tort, or a wrongful act, that causes harm to another party.