This glossary contains the words used in the paralegals' program.
Affidavit
Noun
A written statement confirmed by oath or affirmation, for use as evidence in court
Example: Normally a single judge hears this first stage on AFFIDAVIT evidence.
fr: Déclaration sous serment
Allegation
Noun
A claim or assertion that someone has done something illegal or wrong, typically one made without proof.
Example: Once an ALLEGATION has been made to the police, there are several courses of action they can take.
fr: Allégation
Appellant
Noun
A person who applies to a higher court for a reversal of the decision of a lower court.
Example: The APPELLANT has admitted their negligence for the devaluation by $368 and the consequent loss of profit of $400 for the first melt
fr: Appelant
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: We use the Civil Code of Quebec in the paralegals program
fr: Code civil du Québec
Claim
Noun
To demand by virtue of a right
Example: At this point it is difficult not to be drawn back towards the work of Anthony Quinton, who has provided a helpful model of the basic Conservative CLAIMs to political wisdom
fr: Revendication
Common law
Noun
The part of English law that is derived from custom and judicial precedent rather than statutes. Often contrasted with statutory law
Example: On appeal, however, the Court of Appeal found that the mischief, that the county court's jurisdiction cannot extend to contempts outside of the courtroom, was already provided for by the COMMON LAW.
fr: Loi commune
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: International Journal of CONSTITUTIONAL LAW (ICon 3.2(269)).
fr: Loi constitutionnelle
Contract
Noun
A formal agreement between two or more parties
Example: The farmer has also benefited, not just from having a more sustainable method of production, but legal protection for land-use rights and management techniques in the form of a land CONTRACT for the minimum of 50 years, ensuring that the long term benefit from the project and the initial investment lasts, (World Bank, 2004)
fr: Contrat
Court
Noun
A court is a place where legal matters are declined by a judge and jury or by a magistrate
Example: The decisions of the Civil division of the COURT of Appeal are binding by the Divisional COURT which in turn is bound by the High COURT;
fr: Cour
Criminal record
Phrase
A history of being convicted for crime
Example: Prosecutors can now issue a conditional caution, which goes on the offenders' CRIMINAL RECORD and requires action, for example paying compensation or joining a drug intervention scheme
fr: Dossier criminel
Defendant
Noun
An individual, company, or institution sued or accused in a court of law
Example: It associated with the determination of remoteness upon consequences of DEFENDANT's actions in the context of causation
fr: Défendeur
Dismiss
Verb
To bid or allow a person to go
Example: Psychologists who wish to expand the definition of the self include Macy (1991) who advocates that humans should DISMISS the false view of the enduring self, and instead view the self as a process
fr: Rejeter
Expert witness
Noun
A person who is permitted to testify at at trial because of special knowledge or proficiency in a particular field that is relevant to the case
Example: The expert witness plays an important role in trials
fr: Témoin expert
Family law
Noun
An area of the law that deals with family-related matters and domestic relations, including: marriage, civil unions, and domestic partnerships; adoption and surrogacy, etc.
Example: Journal of Social Welfare and FAMILY LAW 23(1), pp 23-43.
fr: Droit de la famille
Felony
Noun
A serious crime, usually punishable by at least one year of prison
Example: Whether this is fair labelling or not is a matter of opinion, although many believe that accomplices should not receive such harsh penalties as the primary parties who actually committed the FELONY
fr: Crime
Injunction
Noun
An authoritative warning or order
Example: An INJUNCTION was approved to be directed at TGWU by the High Court only based on the 'facts' presented by the claimant- Gate Gourmet
fr: Injonction
Jurist
Noun
An expert in or writer on law
Example: It was considered the cornerstone of legal thought, but as a JURIST Maine accused its content as artificial.
fr: Juriste
Lawsuit
Noun
A case in a court of law involving a claim, complaint, etc.
Example: Although slaves are protected in these ways according to the law, they themselves cannot file a LAWSUIT and so they rely on others who are free
fr: Procès
Legal aid
Noun
Free legal advice or representation for a person who cannot afford it.
Example: The issue of accessibility for persons with disabilities encompasses more than simply allowing them the use of LEGAL AID
fr: L'aide juridique
Paralegal
Noun
A person trained in subsidiary legal matters but not fully qualified as a lawyer
Example: I am studying in the paralegals' program at Ahuntsic.
