Download Affidavit A written statement, the truth of which is sworn to before

Affidavit
A written statement, the truth of which is sworn to before someone who can administer an oath, such as a notary.
Alter Ego
Generally, a corporation through which an individual or another corporation acts.
Bench Trial
A trial before a judge without a jury.
Brief
A written document used by parties to a legal proceeding to present legal and factual arguments in support of a motion or
other contentions.
Claim/Cause of Action
A legally recognized right to sue in court.
Defendant
In a civil context, a person or other entity against whom another party has initiated a lawsuit in a court of law.
Deposition
Out-of-court testimony of a witness, which is transcribed by a stenographer, and then sworn to by that person; or, the
session at which such testimony is given and recorded.
Discovery
The formalized process by which the parties to a lawsuit gather information in support of their claims, and exchange certain
information with the opposing party.
Forum non conveniens
The process of moving proceedings from one forum, or location, to another forum that is better suited to hear the
proceedings because of such factors as the burden on the parties, or the court’s access to important witnesses or
evidence.
Interrogatories
Written questions asked by one party to a suit of the opposing party to the suit as part of the discovery process.
Jurisdiction
The authority of a court to hear a lawsuit, which is often dependent upon where the parties to the suit reside, whether a
defendant has been properly served, where the actions that gave rise to the suit occurred, and the theory of law under which
the plaintiff filed the suit.
Mediation
A type of negotiation using the services of a neutral facilitator, often used as an alternative to formal judicial proceedings,
by which parties attempt to settle their dispute.
Motion
A request by a party to a lawsuit that the presiding judge take some action(s) regarding the progress or procedure of the
litigation, or the actions of the parties.
Order
The binding decision of a judge that requires the parties to a lawsuit, or another person, to act, or refrain from acting, in a
certain manner.
Plaintiff
A person or other entity that initiates a proceeding against another person or entity in a court of law.
Removal
The process of moving a lawsuit that was filed in a state court system into the federal judicial system.
Service
The process of notifying a party that legal action has been taken against them, either at the initiation of litigation or during
litigation, and delivering to them in a particular manner the documents associated with such action.
Statute
A written law promulgated by a legislative body such as the U.S. Congress or a state legislature.
Summary Judgment
A decision rendered before trial as to the validity of all or part of a claim or defense in a lawsuit, thereby avoiding the need
for a trial as to that claim or defense.