Case Vocabulary
By: Akeonya Williams
Defendant
- A person, company, etc. whom a claim or charges is brought onto in a court. (opposed to plaintiff)
Complaint
- A statement that a situation is unsatisfactory or unacceptable.
Summons
- A call, signal, or order to do something.
Pleadings
- The action of making an emotional or earnest appeal to someone.
Pretrial Conference
- The meeting of the parties to a case conducted prior to trial.
Mediation
- Intervention in a dispute in order to resolve it.
Arbitration
- The use of an arbitrator to settle a dispute.
Trial
- Examination of evidence before a judge and typically before a jury.
Verdict
- A decision on a disputed issue
Preponderance of Evidence
- The greater weight of the evidence required in a civil lawsuit to decide in favor in one side or the other.