One cannot do without encountering the law at least some time or the other. Either personally or through the news, we hear discussions about several cases and crimes. In such a proactive scenario, we, the commoners who haven’t studied the law, should know some of the basic legal terms. This glossary will give you a peek into some of the terms that usually occur in the newspaper r news channels.
Not that the commoners need to use these words on a daily basis, but it is important to stay up-to-date with the current affairs. To do that, we all should have fundamental legal terms. Some of them are frequently used in the courtroom too! Hopefully, you don’t ever have to visit one, but it could sure come in handy when you speak to friends. Moreover, knowing these terms means that if you ever have to consult or lawyer, if there is something wrong going on, you will know how to handle the situation.
Basic Legal Terms
1. Third-Party
Many of us might have already heard of this word, but we should not miss it out on this comprehensive glossary of legal terms. When one person/company is directly not involved in a case, but rather have an indirect involvement in a case, they become a third-party.
2. Solicitor
Not many people use this term in today’s day, but you could still come across it. A solicitor is another name for a lawyer. Such lawyers usually deal with cases relating to businesses.
3. Depose
Depose has its use even outside the law, but we shall cover the meaning that people use legally. It means to “testify to or give (evidence) under oath, typically in a written statement.”
4. Felony
Most of you learners might already know the meaning of this legal term since it reoccurs in the newspaper time and again. It refers to a serious crime. The punishment of such crimes is usually grave, more like death, or several years of jail. Homicide, rape, robberies of a substantial amount, murder, etc. are examples of the gravity of the crime that makes the criminal a felon.
5. The Bar
The bar is a wooden or metal barricade. It separates the waiting area from the place where civilians stand before the judge for their hearing. Ahead of the bar is a place where one stands for the judgment, and one is not allowed to go further than there. Sometimes, a case that requires collective judgment by several judges is also called The Bar.
6. Consent Order
Many times, a case does not go to the court, and rather finds settlement outside the courtroom. In such cases, the lawyers/counsels of all involved parties prepare a consent order. It contains all the points that both parties agree to include and abide by. It requires a court stamp in order to be legal.
7. Submissions
It is not like we haven’t heard the word submissions before. But in the legal terms glossary, a submission takes place before the judge. It is the points/arguments one puts forth in the courtroom. Although not all submissions in the law take place in the courtroom. During times when one cannot present themselves in the court, they can also send in a written submission.
8. Registry
Not all decisions take place on the same day. Therefore, one may have to revisit the court for collecting the documents. The registry is where one can find all documents or other related papers in designated case files. Several clerks work at the registry with different case files such as marital cases, criminal cases, etc.
9. Demurrer
Several times, people file false cases against people. In such cases, the receiving party can file a demurrer, claiming that the facts mentioned in the case aren’t true. The judge then gives the party a chance to make amendments in the case with the facts that they think are true. After proper fact-checking and reviewal, the judge can choose to reject or accept the demurrer.
10. Default
When a person does not intentionally or unintentionally respond to a court’s order or notice, the law terms it as a Default. The person who does so is a defaulted, who either does not respond to the notice in writing or fails to appear in court.
11. Magistrate
A magistrate is not exactly the judge but takes decisions like the judge in some instances. There are different magistrates to handle different categories of cases, like family, corporate, etc.
12. Witness
Those who have to stand before the judge to give statements about the event in question is a witness. They have to speak what they saw, heard, or know about the case and the people involved. It is one of the most important words from our legal terms glossary.
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