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Legal guide · 05

Legal terms in plain language.

Legal language can make an unfamiliar process harder to follow. These short definitions offer a starting point for understanding common words.

Words depend on context

The same term may have a specific meaning in a particular court, document or type of case. Ask what it means in your situation.

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People and roles

The names used for people in a legal matter can change depending on the type of case and the court.

Attorney
A person licensed to practice law. An attorney may advise, negotiate, prepare documents or represent someone in court.
Client
A person or organization that has hired an attorney and formed an attorney-client relationship.
Plaintiff or petitioner
The person or organization that starts a civil case or asks a court to take action.
Defendant or respondent
The person or organization required to answer a case or request filed by another party.

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Starting a case

These documents often begin a court matter or tell another person that a case has been filed.

Complaint or petition
A document that begins many civil cases by stating what happened and what the filing party is asking the court to do.
Summons
An official notice that a case has been filed and that the receiving party must respond or appear.
Service of process
The legally required method of delivering court papers to a person or organization.
Answer
A written response to a complaint or petition that states which claims are admitted, denied or otherwise addressed.

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Court requests and decisions

Parties ask the court to act through formal requests, and the court responds through rulings and written decisions.

Motion
A formal request asking a judge to make a decision or issue an order about part of a case.
Hearing
A scheduled court proceeding where a judge considers information, arguments or evidence about a specific issue.
Order
A direction or decision issued by a judge that the parties must follow.
Judgment
A court’s final decision resolving some or all of the claims in a case.

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Information and evidence

Legal matters often involve organized ways to exchange information, collect testimony and support a position.

Evidence
Testimony, documents, objects, records or other information used to help prove or disprove a fact.
Discovery
The pretrial process in which parties request and exchange information relevant to the case.
Deposition
Sworn testimony given outside the courtroom, usually recorded by a court reporter and used to gather information.
Affidavit or declaration
A written statement of facts that a person confirms is true, usually under oath or penalty of perjury.

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Resolving or reviewing a case

A matter may end through agreement, a court decision or a request for review by a higher court.

Settlement
An agreement that resolves some or all of a dispute without a final decision at trial.
Mediation
A confidential process in which a neutral mediator helps people discuss possible agreement but does not decide the dispute.
Trial
A court proceeding where the parties present evidence and arguments for a judge or jury to decide disputed issues.
Appeal
A request asking a higher court to review a lower court’s decision for legal error. An appeal is not usually a new trial.

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Rules, timing and representation

Deadlines and procedural rules can affect legal rights, even before anyone appears in court.

Statute of limitations
A law that sets the time limit for starting a particular kind of legal claim.
Jurisdiction
A court’s legal authority to hear a type of matter or to act over particular people, property or territory.
Burden of proof
The level of proof a party must provide to establish a claim or defense. The standard varies by type of case.
Pro se
Representing yourself in a legal matter without an attorney. Court rules and deadlines still apply.

When a word is unclear

Ask before you sign, respond or let a deadline pass.

Write down unfamiliar terms and bring the document or notice where you found them. An attorney can explain how the words apply to your circumstances.

Find an attorney

This glossary provides general public information, not legal advice. Definitions are simplified and may vary by jurisdiction, court and type of matter. Court papers can create important rights and deadlines; consult a qualified attorney about your situation.