Glossary of terms

An amount of money claimed as compensation for physical or material loss

Disability Discrimination Act

Formal debt agreement

Person owing money to another party

Court order setting out the rights of a party in the form of a statement

See Trust

An order of the Court in proceedings commenced by petition

A court order which dissolves a marriage

This document, which is now known as a conditional order, represents the mid point of divorce proceedings. It is granted by the court if they are satisfied that the applicant is entitled to a divorce. It does not mark the end of the marriage and it will remain necessary for an application to be made for a Final Divorce Order (previously known as Decree Absolute)

A formal document signed and witnessed or sworn

The ownership document relating to a property is known as a "Title Deed"

Obtained by the claimant as a result of the failure of a defendant to comply with the requirements of a claim

The party against whom proceedings are brought

Person giving evidence by Affidavit

A statement of evidence written down and sworn on oath or by Affirmation

A free, automatic right which is bestowed on the creator following the creation of an original design

Where costs are dealt with by the drawing of a bill of costs

Act of scrutinising a bill of costs in criminal proceedings to see if the work done and amount claimed is reasonable

An assesment of a tenant's liabilities under repairing covenants in a lease

This is where an employee or prospective employee is less favourably treated because of their race, sex, marital status, religion, sexual orientation or gender reassignment

The questioning of a witness by the party who called them

Instructions given by a judge to proceed the case once he has considered the facts presented by the parties

Payments made by a solicitor or barrister other than those covered by the Basic Charges

See Absolute Discharge or Conditional Discharge