Working through a Civil Case
by Jessica Carter
Learning the vocabulary for a civil case
Plaintiff-The person who sues or brings the case against another person to court
Defendant-The person who is getting sued
Complaint-The first step in filing a civil case, one person describes the person they are suing and the lawsuit
Summons-A request to appear in court because you are a witnesses or defendant
Pleadings-The claims and defenses of each party
Pretrial conference-A conference held before the trial begins to bring the parties together to outline the proceedings
Civil Cases
Most civil cases involve individuals and/or companies. Civil cases take also take much more time to appear in court, unlike criminal cases.
More Vocabulary
Mediation- The parties in a lawsuit meet with a neutral third-party in an effort to settle the case
Arbitration-The use of an arbitrator to settle a dispute
Trial-A formal examination of evidence before a judge
Prepondenerance of evidence-The proof that a plaintiff needs to have to win his or her case
Verdict-The outcome of the case
Appeal- To apply to a higher court for a reversal of the decision of a lower court