You've Been Served
By: McLane Alston
Plaintiff
A person who brings a case against another in a court of law.
Defendant
A person, company, etc., against whom a claim or charge is brought in a court, opposed to plaintiff.
Complaint
A statement that a situation is unsatisfactory or unacceptable.
Summons
A call by an authority to appear, come, or do something.
Pleading
The action of making an emotional or earnest appeal to someone.
Pretrial Conference
A meeting between the judge and the lawyers involved in a lawsuit to narrow the issues in the suit, agree on what will be presented at the trial, and make a final effort to settle the case without a trial.
Mediation
Intervention in a dispute in order to resolve it; arbitration
Arbitration
The use of an arbitrator to settle a dispute.
Trial
A formal examination of evidence before a judge, and typically before a jury, in order to decide guilt in a case of criminal or civil proceedings.
Preponderance of Evidence
the greater weight of the evidence required in a civil lawsuit for the trier of fact to decide in favor of one side or the other. This preponderance is based on the more convincing evidence and its probable truth or accuracy, and not on the amount of evidence.
Verdict
A decision on a disputed issue in a civil or criminal case or an inquest.
Appeal
Make a serious or urgent request, typically to the public.