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| All the property left by someone who has died |
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| A violation of civil law does not harm the community; the person harmed sues the violator |
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| the tribunal or forum where the trials occur, as well as the judge himself. The judge is the trier of the law at the trial |
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| an amount of money paid to atone for injury or econmical loss |
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| A legal concept generally accepted by most courts which, although often not law, offers guidance tot he court. Legislatures will sometimes codify, or make into law, a popular doctrine |
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| joint and several liability |
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| when multiple defendents my be found liable as a group (jointly) or seperately (several) |
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| Money paid to an attorney to secure her services; also refers to the contract between the attorney and the client. When an attorney has been retained, she works in a representative capacity on behalf of the client |
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| When an attorney acts on behalf of the client in court. This action may be either personal appearance in front of the judge or the filing of a document (such as complaint or motion) with the court on behalf of the client. |
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| Once an attorney has entered an appearance, he or she is the attorney-of-record |
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| The place of trial; the physical location |
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| When a federal court hears a case based upon the fact that the parties are from different states, and that the amount of money claimed as damages exceeds a minimum set by ferderal statue, which is currently 75,000 |
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| The party who initiates action by filing a complaint, claiming injury or harm |
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| The time limit for filing suit. Suits filed after the time limit has ran out will be dismissed. The clock generally starts to tick at the time the damages accured |
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| Document that informs the defendant that he is being sued and that he has a specific amount of time to respond |
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| The pleading that initiates litigation. Filed by the plaintiff, the complaint contains the general allegations against the defendant. It is served with the summons |
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| Individuals or groups involved in a legal action |
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| A legally valid reason to sue; one of the required elements of a complaint |
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| A common legal phrase that qualifies a statement as being a fact only to the best knowledgeof the person making the statement. Equivalent tosaying, "This is what I beieve happened." |
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| The party against whom a complaint is filed |
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| Element of a complaint that ask for damamges; also called "wherefore clause" or "prayer for relief." |
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| Multiple defendants in a legal action |
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| A document filed with the court asking the court to take some specific legal action. A motion ask the court to rule on a procedural matter. A pleading states the party's position in a legal action. |
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A fact claimed by a party.
Spoken, not yet proved |
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