LEGAL TERMS

ACT-a statute or law passed by legislatureAFFIDAVIT- a written, sworn voluntary statement of evidenceAPPEAL-a request to a highest court to overturn judgment of a lower one

CASE METHOD-a system of instruction or study of law focused upon the analysis of court rather than lectures and textbooksCIVIL LAW-the body of laws of a state or nation dealing with the rights of private citizensCOMMON LAW-body of law developed through the courts and law decision

CONSTITUTION-the system of law and basic principles that a state, country or an organization is governed by CONTRACT-a legally enforceable agreement between two or more parties with mutual obligationCRIME- a public wrong/an offence against society punishable by the state

CUSTODY- the state of being detained or held under guard, especially by the police; a care, supervision, and control exerted by one in charge (custody of a child)DAMAGES-money ordered by a court to be paid as compensation for injury or loss caused by another’s fault or negligenceDUE PROCESS-the administration of justice according to established rules and principles; based on the principle that a person cannot be deprived of life or liberty or property without appropriate legal procedures and safeguards

EQUITY-the part of English law that was originally administered by the Lord Chancellor and later by the Court of Chancery, as distinct from the administration by the courts of common law. The main areas of equitable jurisdiction now include: trusts, equitable interests over property, and equitable remedies, such as specific performance, injunction, etc. the set of legal principles that supplement strict rules of law where their application would operate harshly (wikipedia)JUDICIAL PRECEDENT-a judicial decision that may be used as a standard in subsequent similar casesLAW REPORTS-published volumes of the decisions of courts

LEGISLATION-lawmaking; the preparation and enactment of laws by a legislative body; written and approved lawsLIABLE-legally responsible

NEGLIGENCE-a tort or civil wrong; failure to act as a reasonable person would be expected to act in similar circumstancesPARLIAMENT-a national representative body having supreme legislative powers within the statePARTY-a person making or responding to a claim in a court or other adversarial proceeding; a person who sues or defends a lawsuit

RATIO DECIDENDI-the principle or rule constituting the basis of a court decision, which is binding on courts of lower and later jurisdictionREASONABLE PERSON- a legal fiction of the common law representing an objective standard against which any individual’s conduct can be measured. The reasonable person standard holds: each person owes a duty to behave as a reasonable person would under the same or similar circumstances. This standard performs a crucial role in determining negligence in both criminal law-that is, criminal negligence-and tort law.REMEDY-the relief (as damages, restitution, specific performance, or injunction) that may be given or ordered by a court or other tribunal for a wrong

SOURCES OF LAW-the authority from which laws derive their forceTORT-a civil wrong, or wrongful act, whether intentional or accidental, other than a breach of contract, from which injury occurs to another and for which the law imposes civil liabilityTRIAL-a judicial examination and determination of facts and legal issues arising between to a civil or criminal action