Legal Glossary
Common legal terms defined simply.
Voir Dire Meaning
What voir dire is — the jury selection questioning process in civil and criminal trials.
Pro Se Meaning
What it means to represent yourself in court (pro se) and what courts expect.
Hearsay Meaning
What hearsay evidence is, why it's generally excluded, and the main exceptions.
Joint and Several Liability Meaning
What joint and several liability means when multiple defendants share responsibility.
Force Majeure Meaning
What force majeure clauses cover and when they excuse contractual performance.
Indemnification Meaning
What indemnification clauses do and why they appear in almost every contract.
Restraining Order Meaning
What a restraining order is and how it differs from other injunctions.
Injunction Meaning
What an injunction is and the difference between a TRO, preliminary, and permanent injunction.
Affidavit Meaning
What an affidavit is and when sworn written statements are required in legal proceedings.
Discovery Meaning
What discovery is in a lawsuit and the tools used — interrogatories, depositions, and document requests.
Deposition Meaning
What a deposition is, how it works, and what to expect as a witness.
Subpoena Meaning
What a subpoena is, who can issue one, and what happens if you ignore it.
Plaintiff vs Defendant
The difference between the plaintiff and defendant in civil litigation.
Tort Meaning
What a tort is and how civil wrongs give rise to lawsuits for damages.
Negligence Meaning
What negligence means in US law and the four elements every negligence claim requires.
Burden of Proof Meaning
The legal standards of proof used in different types of cases.
Settlement Meaning
What a settlement is and how it differs from a verdict.
Damages Meaning
Types of damages awarded in US civil cases.
Liability Meaning
Legal liability explained in plain English.
Statute of Limitations Meaning
What a statute of limitations is and why deadlines matter.