Chapter 2 Legal Terminology

The process by which a higher court is requested by a party to a lawsuit to review the decision of a lower court

• direct examination

• appeal

• brief

• arbitration

The ending of a lawsuit by agreement

• tort

• judgment

• burden of proof

• settlement

Term for speedier and less-costly methods for resolving disputes than going to court

• mediation

• impanel

• alternative dispute resolution

• fact finder

A person, jury, judge, or board that is empowered to make findings of fact

• fact finder

• impartial juror

• exhibit

• transcript

A command in the form of written process requiring a witness to come to court and testify

• subpoena

• setllement

• jurisdiction

• trial

A person who testifies about what he observed

• judge

• attorney

• paralegal

• witness

The examination of potential jurors to determine if they are qualified to serve

• background check

• voir dire

• summary remedy

• prima facie case

A party who appeals from the lower court to the higher court

• peremptory challenge

• trial

• reverse

• appellant

A person with special training or experience who is qualified to give an opinion about a subject

• polling the jury

• high court

• expert

• impartial juror

A group of people selected to determine the truth of a matter

• impanel

• expert witnesses

• hung jury

• jury