Civil Procedure - Definitions

claimant

a party that starts a civil action in England

defendant

a party against whom a civil action is brought

writ of summons

an official document that begins a legal action

complaint

the document submitted to the court by a claimant to start a civil legal action

affidavit

a written statement that you swear is true, and which can be used as evidence in court

motion

an application made to a court or judge in relation to a particular issue during a lawsuit to order the other party to do something or to not do something

brief

a document or set of documents containing arguments or details about a court case

acknowledgement of service form

form that the defendant submits to the court, confirming that he or she has received the claim form and informing the court of how he or she intends to proceed

reply

a claimant's written statement in answer to the defendant's written defence

pleadings

all legal documents and arguments in court

settlement

an arrangement to end a legal dispute before a final adjudication of a matter

judgment

the decision of a court

mediation

an attempt to settle a dispute with the help of a neutral third party where all parties are actively involved in the decision-making process

arbitration

a form of alternative dispute resolution outside the courts, the reference of a dispute to an impartial (third) person chosen by the parties in advance

adjudication

a formal judgment on a disputed matter