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Glossary of terms

Glossary of terms by letter

B

Bail

A Defendant's release from custody pending their next appearance in Court

Bailiff

County Court Officer who can serve Court documents and execute warrants

Bankrupt

A debtor who, either upon voluntary petition or one invoked by their creditors, is judged legally insolvent

Bankruptcy

The state of being bankrupt

Bar

The body to which all Barristers belong

Barrister

Legal professionals who have rights of audience before all Courts

Basic Charges

General charges incurred for legal work

Basic Disclosure

Some forms of employment require a Criminal Conviction Certificate, which will show all convictions held at national level which are not "spent"

Bench Warrant

A warrant issued by a judge for a defendant who is missing which requires them to be arrested and brought before Court

Beneficiary

A beneficiary is someone who stands to gain as a result of a bequest made in a will or who receives something from an estate

Bequest

A gift of Chattels or Assets by will

Bill of Costs

A detailed statement of a party's costs

Bill Of Indictment

A written statement of the charges against a defendant who is sent for trial to the Crown Court

Binary

Executable program or a data file

Bind Over

A court order which requires a person to carry out some act

Bona Fide

In good faith

Breach of Contract

This occurs when a party to a contract fails to abide by the agreed terms

Break Clause

This is a clause which allows a tenant to end a lease at specific times during the period of the lease

Brief

Written instructions and history of a case which is sent to a Barrister

BSD Licence

Berkeley Software Distribution Licence - a type of Open Source software licence with few restrictions

Bullying

This occurs when someone tries to intimidate, humiliate or undermine another employee

Burden of Proof

The standard of proof which must be shown in order to win a case

Business Name

Sole Traders and Partnerships can either trade under their own names or have a separate name, known as a Business Name

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