Your Guide To Civil Law
Presented by The Law Firm Guys
A simple instruction to understanding the civil law way
Civil law and court cases can be complicated and tiresome. The goal of this brochure is to ensure your success and satisfaction with your upcoming trial.
Some Important Terms You'll Need to Know
What's a Plaintiff?
A plaintiff is defined as the accuser of a crime perpetrated against them, and the person or party who files the lawsuit.
A defendant; who they are and what their role is
Someone or a group who is being charged with a crime or filed a law suit against; their role is to prove their innocence.
Complaints and how they work
A complaint is the name given to a formal statement naming the plaintiff and the defendant, and describes the lawsuit.
What's a summon?
Summons are the documents telling a person/party of the suit being filed against them, the location and date of when they are to appear in court.
How Pleadings Work
A pleading is known as the compilation of the complaint and the response to it, the answer.
Pretrial Conferences and what they are
A pretrial conference is the situation in which a judge calls a meeting where both parties in a case are present to clarify both sides' differences and help prepare for the trial ahead.
Mediation and what it is
A mediation is a situation involving a third party who attempts to help both parties reach an agreement.
How Arbitration Works
Arbitration is a situation where a 3rd party listens and attempts to reach a decision binding the two parties involved.
The Process of a Trial
A formal presentation and review of evidence brought before a judge (and) a jury. A trial typically is held in order to decide guilt in a case of criminal or civil proceedings.
Verdicts and how they are reached
After the trial is held, a jury or judge considers the evidence presented and reaches a decision.
If a decision cannot be immediately agreed upon, a meeting is re-held to reach a verdict, and either party has the right to an appeal, requesting a review process.
What is an appeal?
When a party loses a case, they reserve the right to request an appeal, which is a review of the trial's proceedings in order to determine whether or not to send it to a higher court.
Preponderance of Evidence
This is a standard of proof that must be met by a plaintiff if they are to win the court case.