Module 3 – ADRs & the Court System CARTER

litigate

To place a dispute before a court of law for resolution

mediator

Independent third party who tries to develop a non-binding solution acceptable to both sides of a dispute

arbitrator

Independent third party who develops a binding and enforceable resolution to a dispute

court

Governmental forum that administers justice under the law

trial court

First court to hear a dispute

verdict

Jury’s decision in a case

original jurisdiction

The power to hear a case in full for the first time

appellate court

Reviews decisions of lower courts to determine if a significant error of law was made during trial

transcript

Verbatim record of what went on in court.

appellate briefs

Written argument on the issues of law submitted by opposing attorneys

general jurisdiction

Court that can hear almost any kind of case

special jurisdiction

Court that hears only one specific type of case

writ of certiorari

Order to a lower court to produce the record of a case for the Supreme Court to review

court of record

Accurate, detailed report of what went on at a trial

county courts

Court that hears minor criminal cases, state traffic offenses, and lawsuits involving amounts of no more money than $25,000

municipal courts

City court, usually divided into traffic and criminal divisions

small claim courts

State courts that handle disputes in which small amounts (generally $2,500 or less) are involved

juvenile courts

Courts that handle the cases involving minors

probate courts

Administers wills and estates