This is a glossary for anyone whoever wants to understand some words related to the legal field.
affidavit
noun
A written statement confirmed by oath or affirmation, for use as evidence in court.
Example: We need the affidavits of all the witnesses in the case.
fr: déclaration sous serment
appellant
noun
A person who applies to a higher court for a reversal of the decision of a lower court.
Example: The appellant provided another element of proof.
fr: appelant
burden of proof
noun
The obligation to prove one’s assertion.
Example: Dont worry, the burden of proof is on the other side.
fr: fardeau de la preuve
compensatory allowance
nouns
To make amends to someone.
Example: I am going to ask a compensatory allowance for all the damages they caused me.
fr: indemnité compensatoire
constitutional law
nouns
The body of law which defines the relationship of different entities within a state, namely, the executive, the legislature, and the judiciary.
Example: The constitutional law is the biggest and the most powerful law in the country.
fr: Loi constitutionnelle
default judgement
nouns
A judgment entered in favor of the plaintiff when the defendant defaults (fails to appear in court).
Example: Since the opposite part didn't show up to the court, we won by default judgment.
fr: Jugement par défaut
grievance
noun
A real or imagined wrong or other cause for complaint or protest, such as unfair treatment.
Example: Foreigners from Italy came with a particular grievance against our company because our product is not destined to their country.
fr: grief
habeas corpus
nouns
A writ requiring a person under arrest to be brought before a judge or into court, esp. To secure the person’s release unless lawful grounds are shown for their detention.
Example: The famous habeas corpus is used in many countries all over the world.
fr: habeas corpus
injunction
noun
An authoritative warning or order
Example: I'll need an injunction to make things work.
fr: injonction
jurisprudence
noun
The theory or philosophy of law
Example: All the students in this program have to read jurisprudence to learn about law.
fr: jurisprudence
manslaughter
noun
The unlawful killing of a human being without express or implied malice
Example: There are many things that differentiates euthanasia from murder or manslaughter.
fr: homicide involontaire
mediation
noun
Intervention in a dispute in order to resolve it; arbitration
Example: Before making a decision, the couple did a session a mediation.
fr: médiation
notary
noun
A public officier and a person authorized to perform certain legal formalities, esp. To draw up or certify or authenticate contracts, acknowledge deeds, and other documents for use in other jurisdictions, take affidavits, protest bills of exchange, take deposition.
Example: I need to schedule an appointement with my notary next week.
fr: notaire
pleading
noun
A formal statement of the cause of an action or defense.
Example: The lawyers are pleading to dissuade the judge.
fr: plaidoirie
probation
noun
The release of an offender from detention, subject to a period of good behavior under supervision.
Example: My cousin is on probation for 2 years.
fr: probation
prosecutor
noun
A person, esp. A public official, who institutes legal proceedings against someone.
Example: The prosecutor felt the need to precise her point of view to the judge.
fr: procureure
relinquishment
noun
To renounce or surrender.
Example: The opposite part deposited a relinquishment.
fr: abandon
subpoena
noun
A writ ordering a person to attend a court.
Example: I just received a subpoena in the mail.
fr: assignation
trustee
noun
An individual person or member of a board given control or powers of administration of property in trust with a legal obligation to administer it solely for the purposes specified.
Example: My trustee is in charge of all my real estate.
fr: curateur
writs
noun
A formal order under seal, issued in the name of soverign, government, court, or other competent authority, enjoining the officer or other person to whom it is issued or addressed to do or refrain from some specified act.
Example: This morning my client told me she already had a writ prepared.
