The law, the system of justice is already complicated enough. If you aren't in the field a lot of the terms used could sound like Chinese, here's a little glossary to help anyone from outside the field to understand the basics. In the future, If you ever get into a trial you will at least understand what is going on with your case. Read carefully you never know when your next encounter with the justice will be.
Admissible
adjective
A term used to describe evidence that may be considered by a jury or judge in civil and criminal cases.
Example: This evidence was admissible by the judge.
fr: Admissible
Affidavit
noun
A written statement confirmed by an oath or affirmation, for use as evidence in court.
Example: The witness gave an affidavit to the court.
fr: Déclaration sous serment
Appearance law
noun
In law, appearance is the coming into court of either of the parties to a lawsuit, and/or the formal act by which a defendant sumbits himself to the jurisdiction of the court.
Example: The lawyers waited for the witness appearance all day.
fr: Comparution
Appellate court
noun
A court having jurisdiction to review decisions of a trial-level or other lower court.
Example: The case was sent to the appellate court.
fr: Cour d'appel
Attorney
noun
One who is legally appointed to transact business on another's behalf; especially : lawyer.
Example: I need an attorney to help me get out.
fr: Avocat
Bail bond
noun
Bond provided by an insurance company through a bail bondsman acting as agent for the company.
Example: The judge settled her bail bond at $500.
fr: Caution
Bailiff
noun
An officer, similar to a sheriff's deputy, employed to execute writs and processes, make arrests, and keep order in the court.
Example: The bailiff went to arrest the criminal.
fr: Huissier
Burden of proof
noun
The obligation to prove one's assertion.
Example: The attorney has to show the court the burden of proof in order to win the case
fr: Charge de la preuve
Case
noun
A suit or action in law or equity.
Example: They we're many murders in this case.
fr: affaire
Civil Code of Quebec
noun
The civil code in force in the Province of Quebec, Canada, which came into effect on January 1, 1994.
Example: In Quebec, we follow the laws from the Civil Code of Quebec.
fr: Code civil du Québec
Claim
noun
To demand by virtue of a right.
Example: The client claims his refund that he was promised.
fr: Réclamer
Clause
noun
A particular and separate article, stipulation, or proviso in a treaty, bill, or contract.
Example: Always read every clause before signing a contract.
fr: Clause
Clerk
A person employed in an office or bank to keep records and accounts and to undertake other routine administrative duties.
A person employed in an office or bank to keep records and accounts and to undertake other routine administrative duties.
Example: Verify with the clerk if he can find your file.
fr: greffier
Compensatory allowance
noun
To make amends to someone.
Example: After the accident, the judge condemned the accused to pay a compensatory allowance.
fr: Indemnité compensatoire
Complainant
noun
A plaintiff in certain lawsuits.
Example: He was the head complainant in this lawsuit.
fr: Plaignant
Condemn
noun
To express an unfavorable or adverse judgment on
Example: The accused was condemned to 15 years in jail.
fr: Condamner
Constitutional law
noun
The body of law which defines the relationship of different entities within a state, namely, the executive, the legislature, and the judiciary.
Example: Every citizen is protected by the Constitutional law.
fr: Loi constitutionnelle
Contract
noun
A formal agreement between two or more parties.
Example: I signed my first job contract in 2017.
fr: Contrat
Corporation
noun
A company or group of people authorized to act as a single entity (legally a person) and recognized as such in law.
Example: The Lee family has a multi-million corporation.
fr: société
Default judgment
noun
A judgment in favor of the plaintiff when the defendant defaults (fails to appear in court)
Example: We waited for the defendant for hours, after 3 hours, the plaintiff received a default judgment.