Last Updated: April 2, 2026
Read Time: 4 min
- Plaintiff – the person who brings a legal action or lawsuit against another party
- Defendant – the person against whom a legal action or lawsuit is brought
- Jurisdiction – the legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case
- Complaint – a legal document that outlines the plaintiff’s allegations against the defendant in a civil lawsuit
- Summons – a legal document that notifies the defendant of the lawsuit and the need to appear in court
- Pleadings – the formal written statements filed with a court by both the plaintiff and defendant in a lawsuit
- Discovery – the process by which both parties in a lawsuit obtain information from each other to build their case
- Motion – a formal request made to a court for a ruling or order
- Evidence – the facts or information presented in court to support a party’s case
- Testimony – evidence presented by witnesses under oath
- Deposition – sworn testimony given outside of court, usually taken in a lawyer’s office
- Subpoena – a legal document that requires a person to appear in court or to produce documents or other evidence
- Trial – a formal hearing in court where evidence is presented and a judge or jury decides the outcome of a case
- Verdict – the decision or finding of a judge or jury in a case
- Appeal – a request made to a higher court to review a lower court’s decision
- Settlement – an agreement between parties to resolve a legal dispute outside of court
- Damages – monetary compensation awarded to a plaintiff in a civil lawsuit
- Breach of contract – a failure to fulfill the terms of a legally binding agreement
- Negligence – failure to exercise reasonable care resulting in injury or harm to another party
- Tort – a civil wrong that causes harm or injury to another party
- Liability – legal responsibility for one’s actions or conduct
- Statute of limitations – a time limit within which a lawsuit must be filed
- Injunction – a court order that requires a party to do or refrain from doing a specific action
- Lien – a legal claim against property to secure payment of a debt or obligation
- Bankruptcy – a legal process for individuals or businesses to discharge debts and reorganize their finances
- Mediation – a process of resolving a legal dispute through the assistance of a neutral third party mediator
- Arbitration – a process of resolving a legal dispute through a decision made by a neutral third party arbitrator
- Class action – a legal action brought by a group of people collectively on behalf of themselves and others with similar claims
- Contingency fee – a fee paid to a lawyer only if they are successful in obtaining a favorable outcome in a case
- Pro bono – legal services provided free of charge to individuals or groups who cannot afford to pay for them
- Attorney-client privilege – the legal right of a client to keep communication with their attorney confidential
- Habeas corpus – a legal action that requires a person who is being detained to be brought before a court or judge
- Impeachment – the process of charging a public official with misconduct or illegal activity
- Indictment – a formal accusation of a crime made by a grand jury
- Miranda warning – a statement that must be read to a suspect in custody, informing them of their legal rights
- Plea bargain – an agreement between the prosecution and defense in which the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for a reduced sentence or other concession
- Probation – a period of court-ordered supervision following a criminal conviction
- Restitution – payment made by a defendant to a victim as compensation for their losses or damages
- Contempt of court – willful disobedience or disregard for the authority of a court, resulting in punishment
- Discovery rule – a legal doctrine that delays the start of the statute of limitations until a plaintiff knew or should have known of their injury or harm
- Writ of certiorari – a legal order by a higher court to review a lower court’s decision
- Statute – a written law passed by a legislative body
- Stare decisis – the legal principle of following precedent or past court decisions in similar cases
- Deposition transcript – a written record of a witness’s sworn testimony given outside of court, usually taken in a lawyer’s office
- Personal injury – physical or emotional harm caused to a person as a result of someone else’s negligence or intentional action
- Criminal law – the area of law that deals with crimes and their punishment
- Civil law – the area of law that deals with disputes between individuals or organizations, often involving compensation for damages
- Motion to dismiss – a request made by a defendant to dismiss a case for lack of merit or legal grounds
- Warrant – a legal document authorizing law enforcement to perform a specific action, such as arrest or search and seizure
- Affidavit – a written statement made under oath and signed in front of a notary public or other authorized official.
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