Affidavit
A written statement of facts sworn to before a notary public or other authorized officer, used as evidence in court proceedings.
CourtGPT · Glossary
Public-domain legal reference, A–Z
A curated, public-domain glossary of legal terms for the CourtGPT legal surfaces. Browse A–Z, search as you type, and jump between related terms without leaving the workspace.
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Showing 40 terms (A–Z). Use the index to jump to a leading letter.
All terms (A–Z)
A
Amicus Curiae
Latin for "friend of the court." A person or organization that is not a party to a lawsuit but is permitted to file a brief or participate because of a strong interest in the matter.
Appeal
A request to a higher court to review and overturn the decision of a lower court. Appeals are generally limited to questions of law raised in the trial record.
Arbitration
A method of dispute resolution in which the parties present their case to one or more neutral third parties (arbitrators) who then render a binding or non-binding decision.
B
Bail
Money or other security required to obtain the temporary release of an accused person awaiting trial, intended to ensure their appearance in court.
Brief
A written argument submitted to a court by a party to a lawsuit, supporting that party’s position through legal reasoning and citations to authority.
Burden of Proof
The obligation of a party to prove their assertion in a dispute. In criminal cases the prosecution bears the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
C
Case Law
Law established by judicial decisions rather than by statute. Case law is binding in lower courts within the same jurisdiction under the doctrine of stare decisis.
Cause of Action
The set of facts that, if proven, entitle a party to prevail in court. A plaintiff must plead a cause of action that the law recognizes as grounds for relief.
Civil Law
The branch of law dealing with the rights and duties of private persons or organizations, as opposed to criminal law. Includes contracts, property, torts, and family law.
Common Law
The body of law developed through judicial decisions and custom rather than by written statute. Forms the basis of the legal systems of England and the United States (apart from Louisiana).
Consideration
Something of legal value bargained for and exchanged between parties to a contract. Without consideration, a promise is generally not enforceable as a contract.
Contempt of Court
Conduct that defies, obstructs, or shows disrespect for the authority of a court or judge, often punishable by fine or imprisonment.
Contract
A legally binding agreement between two or more parties that is enforceable in a court of law. Generally requires offer, acceptance, and consideration.
D
Damages
Money paid to a person who has been injured or suffered loss, awarded by a court in a civil action to compensate for harm done.
Deposition
Sworn out-of-court testimony taken from a witness before trial, used to discover what the witness will say and to preserve testimony.
Due Process
A constitutional guarantee that the government will treat people fairly through the normal judicial system, including notice and an opportunity to be heard before deprivation of life, liberty, or property.
E
Estoppel
A legal principle that prevents a party from asserting something contrary to a position they previously took, where reliance on the prior position would cause injury.
H
Habeas Corpus
Latin for "you shall have the body." A writ requiring a person under arrest to be brought before a judge, primarily to determine whether the detention is lawful.
I
Indictment
A formal written accusation issued by a grand jury charging a person with a crime. Required for felony prosecutions in federal court.
Injunction
A court order requiring a party to do or refrain from doing a specific act. May be preliminary, permanent, or temporary restraining.
J
Jurisdiction
The authority of a court to hear and decide a matter; defined geographically (subject-matter jurisdiction) and by the type of case (personal jurisdiction).
L
Liable
Responsible or answerable in law; legally obligated to make restitution or to perform a duty.
M
Mediation
A non-binding dispute resolution process in which a neutral third party helps the disputing parties reach a mutually agreeable settlement.
N
Negligence
A tort in which a person’s failure to exercise reasonable care causes harm to another. Elements: duty, breach, causation, damages.
P
Pendente Lite
Latin for "while the litigation is pending." Refers to orders or relief sought or granted during the course of a lawsuit, before final judgment.
Precedent
An earlier decision that provides a rule or example for determining the outcome of a later, similar case. Formally binding under stare decisis; persuasive if from another jurisdiction.
Prima Facie
Latin for "at first sight." A prima facie case is one supported by evidence sufficient to establish the claim unless rebutted.
Pro Bono
Short for "pro bono publico" (for the public good). Legal work performed without charge, typically for clients who cannot afford representation.
R
Remand
To send a case back to a lower court for further proceedings, often after an appeal. Higher courts remand when they retain jurisdiction but need additional fact-finding.
Remedy
The means by which a court enforces a right or compensates for injury; includes damages, injunctions, mandamus, declaratory relief, and specific performance.
Reversal
The act of an appellate court overturning the decision of a lower court, in whole or in part, on grounds of legal error.
S
Standing
The legal right of a party to bring a lawsuit, requiring a personal stake in the controversy sufficient to seek judicial relief. Federal cases additionally require Article III standing.
Stare Decisis
Latin for "to stand by things decided." The doctrine of binding precedent, by which courts generally follow prior rulings when presented with similar facts.
Statute
A written law enacted by a legislature. Statutes are a primary source of law, secondary sources of which include regulations and case law.
Statute of Limitations
A statute that prescribes the maximum period after an event during which legal proceedings may be commenced. Once expired, the claim is generally time-barred.
Subpoena
A writ commanding a person to appear at a specific time and place to give testimony or to produce documents. Failure to comply may result in contempt.
T
Tort
A wrongful act or omission that causes injury to another and gives rise to civil liability. Common examples: negligence, defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress.
V
Voir Dire
French for "to speak the truth." The preliminary examination of prospective jurors to assess fitness to serve, conducted by attorneys and the judge before trial.
W
Warrant
A written order issued by a judicial officer authorizing an act such as an arrest (arrest warrant) or search (search warrant), supported by probable cause.
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