Fundamentals Of Legal Citation
Expert-defined terms from the Legal Writing Fundamentals course at HealthCareCourses (An LSIB brand). Free to read, free to share, paired with a professional course.
Abridged decision refers to a shortened version of a court decision, ofte… #
Acronym is an abbreviation formed from the initial letters of a phrase or name, such as SCOTUS for Supreme Court of the United States. Administrative regulation is a rule or order issued by a government agency to implement or interpret a law. Admission on appeal refers to a statement or concession made by a party regarding a fact or issue during an appeal. Advisory opinion is a non-binding opinion provided by a court or other authoritative body on a hypothetical or abstract question of law. Affidavit is a sworn written statement used to provide evidence or testimony in a legal proceeding. Amicus brief is a friend of the court brief, submitted by a person or organization who is not a party to the case but has a strong interest in the outcome. Amendment is a change or revision made to a law, contract, or other document. Annotation is a note or comment added to a text, such as a statute or court decision, to provide explanation or context. Appellant is the party who initiates an appeal, seeking to reverse or modify a lower court's decision. Appellee is the party who responds to an appeal, seeking to uphold or affirm a lower court's decision. Appeal is a request to a higher court to review and decide a case that has already been adjudicated by a lower court. Appellate court is a higher court that hears and decides appeals from lower courts. Argument is a presentation of evidence and reasoning used to persuade a court or other decision-maker to adopt a particular position or outcome. Authority is a source of law or a precedent that is used to support or justify a particular argument or decision. Bench memorandum is a document prepared by a court to outline the issues and arguments in a case, often used to assist the court in its deliberations. Binding authority is a source of law or a precedent that a court is required to follow in deciding a case. Brief is a written document submitted to a court that outlines the arguments and evidence in support of a party's position or claim. Case law is the body of law that is based on judicial decisions, rather than statutes or regulations. Casebook is a collection of cases and materials used to study and teach law. Citation is a reference to a source of law or a precedent, used to support or justify a particular argument or decision. Civil law is a branch of law that deals with disputes between individuals or organizations, rather than criminal matters. Code is a collection of statutes or regulations that are organized and codified into a single volume or publication. Common law is a body of law that is based on custom and judicial decisions, rather than statutes or regulations. Concise is a term used to describe a writing style that is clear and direct, without unnecessary words or language. Constitution is a document that establishes the framework and principles of a government or organization. Contract is a binding agreement between parties that outlines the terms and conditions of their relationship or obligations. Court is a forum where disputes are resolved and justice is administered, through the application of law and evidence. Decision is a ruling or judgment made by a court or other decision-making body, based on the evidence and arguments presented. Defendant is the party who is being sued or prosecuted in a court of law. Dictionary is a reference book that defines and explains the meaning of words and phrases. Discovery is the process of obtaining and exchanging evidence and information between parties in a lawsuit or dispute. Docket is a schedule or calendar that lists the cases and hearings that are pending or scheduled in a court. En banc is a French term that refers to a hearing or decision made by a full court, rather than a panel of judges. Evidence is the information or materials presented in a court of law to prove or disprove a fact or claim. Ex parte is a Latin term that refers to a hearing or decision made by a court without the presence or participation of one of the parties. Federal question is a term used to describe a case or dispute that involves a federal law or constitution. Filings is a term used to describe the documents and materials submitted to a court in a lawsuit or dispute. Hearing is a proceeding where evidence and arguments are presented to a court or other decision-making body. In camera is a Latin term that refers to a hearing or proceeding that is private or closed to the public. Injunction is a court order that requires a party to stop or refrain from doing something. Interlocutory appeal is a term used to describe an appeal that is taken from a non-final order or ruling. Judgment is a final decision made by a court in a lawsuit or dispute, which resolves the case and obligations of the parties. Jurisdiction is the authority of a court to hear and decide a case or dispute, based on the location or subject matter of the case. Law review is a publication that features articles and essays on legal topics and issues. Legislative history is the record of the development and enactment of a law or statute, including committee reports and hearing testimony. Lexis is a database that provides access to legal research and materials, including cases and statutes. Litigant is a party who is involved in a lawsuit or dispute, either as a plaintiff or defendant. Mandamus is a Latin term that refers to a court order that requires a government official or agency to perform a specific act or duty. Memorandum is a document that outlines the arguments and evidence in support of a party's position or claim. Motion is a request made to a court to take a specific action or order, such as to dismiss a case or grant a new trial. Opinion is a written statement that explains the reasoning and basis for a court's decision or ruling. Oral argument is a hearing where attorneys present arguments and answer questions from the court, in person or remotely. Order is a command or direction made by a court or other decision-making body, which requires a party to take or refrain from taking a specific action. Party is a person or entity that is involved in a lawsuit or dispute, either as a plaintiff or defendant. Petition is a formal request made to a court or other decision-making body, which seeks a specific relief or remedy. Plaintiff is the party who initiates a lawsuit or dispute by filing a complaint or petition. Pleading is a written statement that sets forth the claims and defenses of a party in a lawsuit or dispute. Precedent is a previous decision or ruling that is used as a guide or authority for deciding similar cases or issues in the future. Procedure is the process or method used to conduct a hearing or trial, including the rules and regulations that govern the proceeding. Record is the official transcript or documentation of a hearing or trial, which includes the testimony and evidence presented. Regulation is a rule or order issued by a government agency to implement or interpret a law or policy. Remand is a decision made by a court to send a case or issue back to a lower court for further proceedings or review. Reply is a response made by a party to a motion or argument presented by an opponent. Report is a written document that summarizes the facts and circumstances of a case or dispute, often used to assist the court or other decision-making body. Reversal is a decision made by a court to overturn or reverse a previous ruling or decision. Rule is a regulation or guideline that governs the procedure or conduct of a hearing or trial. Satisfy is a term used to describe the fulfillment of a condition or obligation, such as the payment of a debt or judgment. Settlement is a agreement reached between parties to resolve a dispute or lawsuit, often through the payment of money or other consideration. Stare decisis is a Latin term that refers to the doctrine of precedent, which requires courts to follow previous decisions and rulings in similar cases or issues. Statute is a law or regulation that is enacted by a legislature or government body, which governs the conduct or behavior of individuals or organizations. Subpoena is a court order that requires a witness or party to appear and testify in a hearing or trial. Summons is a document that notifies a party of a lawsuit or dispute, and requires them to appear in court to answer the claims or allegations. Testimony is the statement or evidence presented by a witness in a hearing or trial, which is used to prove or disprove a fact or claim. Tort is a civil wrong or injury that is committed against a person or property, for which the victim may seek compensation or damages. Transcript is the official record of a hearing or trial, which includes the testimony and evidence presented. Trial is a hearing where evidence and arguments are presented to a court or jury, which decides the facts and issues in a case or dispute. Verdict is the decision made by a jury or court in a trial, which determines the guilt or innocence of a defendant or the liability of a party. Westlaw is a database that provides access to legal research and materials, including cases and statutes. Writ is a formal document that is issued by a court or other decision-making body, which commands or directs a party to take a specific action or perform a duty. Yellow flag is a term used to warn or caution a party of a potential problem or issue, such as a defect in a document or evidence. Zip code is a term used to describe a geographic area or location, often used to identify the jurisdiction or venue of a court or case.