Comm Law Terms

precedent

a case that other courts rely on when deciding future cases with similar facts or issues.

stare decisis

• trial court

appellate court

a court to which a finding from a lower court may be appealed.

remand

to send back to a lower court for evaluation based on new legal rules.

• original jurisdiction

• writ of certiorari

• residual jurisdiction

• federal question

• diversity jurisdiction

• federal preemption

• concurrent jurisdiction

• statute

• distinguishing a case

• reversing/overruling a precedent

burden of proof

• beyond a reasonable doubt

• clear and convincing evidence

• preponderance of the evidence

• more likely than not

• probable cause

• reasonable suspicion

• tort

• crime

• defendant

• plaintiff

• damages

  • general damages

  • special damages

  • actual/compensatory damages

  • punitive damages

• complaint

• answer

• serve

• subpoena

• motion to quash

• liability

• demurrer/motion to dismiss

• summary judgment

• discovery

• interrogatories

• appellant

• respondent

• majority opinion

• dissenting opinion

• concurring opinion