Terminology for Paralegals

Vocabulary flashcards covering legal terms and definitions from the Paralegal terminology lecture notes.

Abatement

A reduction in some amount that is owed, usually granted by the person to whom the debt is owed. In the law of torts, the summary removal of a nuisance

Absolute Liability

Offences in which it is not open to a person to avoid liability on the ground that she or he acted under a reasonable mistake of fact which, if the facts had been as the accused believed them to be, would have made his act innocent.

Absolute Privilege

An absolute defence to an otherwise defamatory statement because of the venue or context in which the statement was made.

Act

A bill which has passed through the various legislative steps required for it and which has become law.

Adjourn

The postponement, suspension and interruption of an ongoing hearing or meeting to resume at some future date; to break off for later resumption

Affidavit

A written statement of fact which has been verified as truthful by the mechanism of a solemn process before another party.

Affirmative Defence

A reply to a claim which alleges facts from which it results that, notwithstanding the truth of the allegations of the complaint, no cause of action exists

Agency

A fiduciary relationship between one person (a principal) and another (an agent) that the agent shall act on the principal's behalf.

Agent

A person who has received the power to act on behalf of another, binding that other person as if he or she were themselves making the decisions

Aggravated Damages

Damages awarded by a court to reflect the exceptional harm done to a plaintiff of a tort action.