Law Key Terms

Begin your legal education by learning fundamental law key terms

Before you can study any kind of law, you'll need to familiarize yourself with common terms found in the field. These terms are the stepping stones for understanding more complicated legal systems and processes in the United States. For example, if you want to know how consumers may sue companies who have reneged on their responsibilities to the public, you'll need to understand terms that identify participants to the lawsuit and terms explaining its resolution. Learn the most widely used law key terms to enhance your study of law and lawsuits in America.

 

Litigation

Litigation refers to a legal proceeding that is started by one individual who seeks court intervention to protect his or her rights.
Try: Lectric Law Library defines litigation in everyday terms. Find out how the litigation process gets started and why some states are taking steps to make litigation more efficient.

Plaintiff

One of the most commonly used terms in the legal field is the word "plaintiff." A plaintiff is the individual who begins a legal controversy.
Try: Duhaime discusses who is considered a plaintiff in the legal world.

Defendant

The second most important party to a lawsuit is the defendant, the person against whom the plaintiff files a lawsuit.
Try: Investor Glossary discusses the role of the defendant in civil and criminal lawsuits.

Trial process

Trial process refers to the hearing that takes place when parties to a civil lawsuit are unable to solve their dispute without court intervention. In criminal lawsuits, it refers to the hearing before a judge and jury in which the state presents evidence of criminal conduct by the defendant.
Try: Read the web page of the Circuit Court of Cook County for an in-depth discussion of the trial process. Learn who participates in civil and criminal lawsuits, the legal terms describing these participants and the various stages of a trial from start to finish.

Contract

A contract is an agreement between two parties in which each has certain rights and regulations usually spelled out in a written instrument.
Try: Business Dictionary explains the general use of the term contract and some key elements of a contractual agreement. It also provides links to pages discussing the most commonly used contracts.

Torts

The term torts encompasses all of the civil wrongs that individuals can commit against other individuals or their property.
Try: Let Personal Injury explain the general legal concept of torts. You'll also find out the legal implications for intentional torts in some states and the purpose of tort laws.

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