Legal terms part 1

Definitions

Terms

A written order for a person to attend court.

The offence of wilfully telling lies while under oath.

A written statement used as evidence in court as confirmed by oath or affirmation.

Created or done for a particular purpose as necessary. For example, a committee is formed for a specific purpose, usually appointed to solve a particular problem.

The intention or knowledge of wrongdoing that constitutes part of a crime, as opposed to the action or conduct of the accused.

Action or conduct that is a constituent element of a crime, as opposed to the mental state of the accused.

Based on the first impression; accepted as correct until proved otherwise.

A crime, typically one involving violence, regarded as more serious than a misdemeanor, and usually punishable by imprisonment for more than one year or by death.

Definitions

Terms

A crime less serious than a felony, punishable by or imprisonment for less than a year.

Adhering to precedents of earlier cases as sources of law. When an issue has already been ruled upon by a court, other cases involving the same issue must receive the same response from that court or lower courts.

A written law passed by a legislative body, i.e. parliamentary law

A wrongful or illegal act, whether intentional or accidental, in which an injury occurs to another.

A written or spoken agreement, especially one concerning employment, sales, or tenancy, that is intended to be enforceable by law.

1) A legal system that applies to settling disputes between private citizens or entities rather than criminal, military, or religious affairs. 2) A body of laws and legal concepts derived from Roman law instead of English common law.

The reason for which a plaintiff files a complaint or suit against someone. This can be negligence, breach of contract, malpractice or defamation