Legal Terminology 6 (copy)

Movant

Applicant for a ruling or order in court.

Headnote

The paragraphed material that is a short description which precedes the opinion of the court describing the issues in a particular decision.

Adjudication

The rendering of a decision; sometimes the decision itself.

AKA or aka

Also known as.

Ultra vires

Outside the scope of authority to act.

Levy

Imposition of a tax.

E.G. or e.g.

Exempli gratia, for example.

Attachment

A procedure whereby the plaintiff secures a lien against the property of the defendant to satisfy an obligation which may not yet be determined.

Tort

A civil wrong (as compared to a crime) for which a suit for damages may be brought.

Appearance

The act of submitting oneself to the court officially, usually by the attorney filing an appearance with the clerk.

Contingent fee

The lawyer must win to get paid.

Voir dire

Speak the truth; a preliminary examination to determine the competency of a witness or juror.

Discovery

The pretrial process whereby one side seeks to discover the facts known by the other side. This may be done by means of deposition, written interrogatories, physical examination, or production of books and records.

Abstract of title

Excerpts from the official records containing the essential information to show the chain of the title to real estate for the record that bears upon its marketability.

Condemnation

The taking of private property for public use upon the payment of compensation.