This glossary contains the words people can use to understand documents Legal Technician may use or to understand in general the meaning of those words and how they can be used in this field of study.
class action
noun
A lawsuit in which one or more members of a large group, or class, of individuals or other entities sue on behalf of the entire class. The district court must find that the claims of the class members contain questions of law or fact in common before the lawsuit can proceed as a class action.
Example: You may be eligible for full payment of the cash and shares, plus additional compensation, under the class action settlement.
fr: action collective
court
noun
A place where trials and other legal cases happen, or the people present in such a place, especially the officials and those deciding if someone is guilty.
Example: The lack of evidence means that the case is unlikely to go to court.
fr: Le tribunal
defendant
noun
An individual, company, or institution sued or accused in a court of law.
Example: The jury concluded from the evidence that the defendant was innocent.
fr: For a woman : défenderesse For a man : défendeur
evidence
noun
The available body of facts or information indicating whether a belief or proposition is true or valid.
Example: Campaigners now have compelling documentary evidence of the human rights abuses that they had been alleging for several years.
fr: preuve
injunction
noun
A court order preventing one or more named parties from taking some action.
Example: An injunction can prohibit someone from doing something, such as annoying his or her neighbours by burning garbage.
fr: injonction
judge
noun
A public official who is in charge of a trial in a court and decides how a person who is guilty of a crime should be punished, or who makes decisions on legal matters.
Example: The judge dismissed the charge after a preliminary hearing.
fr: juge
jury
noun
Persons selected according to law and sworn to inquire into and declare a verdict on matters of fact, to decide if a person is guilty or not guilty, or if a claim has been proved.
Example: He went free because the jury decided there was a reasonable doubt about his guilt.
fr: jury
lawsuit
noun
A legal action started by a plaintiff against a defendant based on a complaint that the defendant failed to perform a legal duty, resulting in harm to the plaintiff.
Example: One well-known response chosen by some patients and families is the filing of a malpractice lawsuit against the health professionals and institutions
fr: l'action en justice
mediator
noun
An independent person who is chosen by disputing parties to help them resolve their differences through a process called Mediation. A Mediator helps parties find a solution they both can agree on, but the Mediator does not make a decision for them.
Example: The mediator managed to conciliate the two opposing sides.
fr: médiateur
negotiation
noun
The process by which parties discuss possible settlement of a dispute. In addition to their own lawyer, parties sometimes hire a trained negotiator to act on his or her behalf.
Example: Any dispute which may arise between any two or more States Parties to this Convention concerning the interpretation or application of this Convention, whichis not settled by negociation shall at the request of the parties to the dispute bereferred, failing other means of settling the dispute, to the International Court of Justice for decision.
fr: négociation
objection
noun
A protest by an attorney, challenging a statement or question made at trial. Common objections include an attorney “leading the witness” or a witness making a statement that is hearsay. Once an objection is made, the judge must decide whether to allow the question or statement.
Example: The judge rejected the lawyer's objection.
fr: objection
offence
noun
A breach of a law or rule; an illegal act.
Example: The thief committed an offence by stealing the diamond.
fr: infraction
plaintiff
noun
Someone who makes a legal complaint against someone else in court.
Example: The plaintiff claimed damages for the financial losses suffered through breach of copyright.
fr: demandeur
probation
A sentencing alternative to imprisonment in which the court releases convicted defendants under supervision as long as certain conditions are observed.
Example: He served a year in prison and was then let out on probation.
fr: mise en liberté surveillée
sentence
noun
A sentence is the ruling that a court hands down if a person or organization have been found guilty of a charge or criminal offence.
Example: The murderer is serving a ten-year prison sentence.
fr: condamnation
testimony
noun
Evidence presented orally by witnesses during trials or before grand juries.
Example: According to the witness's testimony, the deffendant was present when the crime was committed.
fr: témoignage
transcript
noun
A written, word-for-word record of what was said, either in a proceeding such as a trial or during some other conversation.
Example: A three-page transcript of the custody hearing was passed out to all attorneys.
fr: transcription
trial
noun
A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty,” and the parties are required to come to court to present evidence.
Example: The trial occupied two days and resulted in a verdict of guilty, and a sentence of imprisonment for a year with a small fine.
fr: procès
verdict
noun
A decision on a disputed issue in a civil or criminal case or an inquest.
Example: The jury passed a verdict of guilty, with an appeal to the judge for clemency.
fr: verdict
witness
A person who sees an event happening, especially a crime or an accident take place.
Example: Police are appealing for witnesses to the accident to come forward.
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