case law: civil law

Civil case

A lawsuit that deals with civil legal issues, such as contracts and torts.

Civil law

The system of law concerned with resolution of private disputes rather than criminal cases.

Civil procedure

The body of law that lays out the rules courts must follow when adjudicating civil lawsuits.

Copyright

A legal right granted by the federal government to the copyright holder to decide how and when someone's creative work may be used by others. A creative work may be in the form of a painting, movie, song, photograph, etc.

District courts

The general trial courts of the United States Federal Court system.

Federal rules of civil procedure

The body of laws that specify the procedures for civil lawsuits within the United States Federal courts. The US supreme Court establishes and modifies the rules and Congress approves of them.

Infringement

The act of violating an agreement, obligation, or law.

Motion to dismiss

A defendant's request to get a case. In federal court, a motion to dismiss is also known as a 12 ( b ) ( 6 ) refers to the rule number in the federal rules of civil procedure.

Precedent

An earlier judicial decision that guides subsequent similar legal situations.

Standing

An individual's right to bring a lawsuit against someone else ( or the government ) for a violation of some statute or other types of civil wrongs.

Statutory interpretation

The process by which courts interpret statutes ( written laws).