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Glossary of terms

Glossary of terms by letter

C

Court Order

The recorded decision of a judge, once he has heard and considered the evidence from all parties in the matter

Court Room

Place where cases are heard

Covenant

A formal agreement or a contract which constitutes an obligation to perform an act

Creditor

A person to whom money is owed by a debtor

Creditors Voluntary Liquidation

The most common type of Liquidation

Cross Examination

Questioning of a witness in trial by opposing counsel

Crown Court

The Crown Court deals with all crime committed for trial by Magistrates Courts. It also acts as an appeal Court for cases heard and dealt with by the Magistrates.

Custidial Sentence

Sentence which involves locking up the offender

Custody

See Residence

Cyber security - Is your business protected?

In a world where the number of websites, e-mails and electronic files increases on a daily basis it has never been more important to protect your business against threats to cyber security. For that reason the government has published advice for businesses on how to manage such threats. The government is trying to get the message across that cyber security is not just an issue for the IT team. It is a strategic risk that needs to be managed at board level.The guidance consists of: a high-level briefing aimed at senior executives and suggesting questions that should be asked in relation to security; a document which explains the risks inherent in business interaction with the internet and how to approach the management of those risks, as well as several case studies showing how particular kinds of security breach might be avoided; and a detailed set of advice sheets that set out a ten-step approach to security, covering matters such as the use of policies governing remote working, staff training, contingency planning, and access to removable media that might introduce malware to systems.If the draft General Data Protection Regulation published by the European Commission in January 2012 comes into force it will be more important than ever for businesses to think seriously about cyber security. Under the Regulation companies would be required to notify regulators and any individuals concerned with certain information about any personal data breach "without delay and, where feasible, not later than 24 hours after having become aware of it". Regulators would have the power to fine businesses up to 2% of their annual global turnover for failing to notify breaches or for other serious breaches of the Regulation.In any event, existing data protection laws contained in the Data Protection Act 1998 (Act) mean that if personal data is exposed as a result of a security breach, a fine could be levied by the Information Commissioner's Office, the regulatory body responsible for enforcing the Act. Claims could also be brought by the data subjects whose data has been breached. Therefore, even if the draft Regulation does not become law, if you are running a business you need to manage cyber security effectively to ensure that you minimise the risks that your business is exposed to. The guidance published by the government will assist you with this.You can view the guidance in full at http://www.bis.gov.uk/policies/business-sectors/cyber-security/downloads.

D

Damages

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

DDA

Disability Discrimination Act

Debenture

Formal debt agreement

Debtor

Person owing money to another party

Declaration

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

Declaration of Trust

See Trust

Decree

An order of the Court in proceedings commenced by petition

Decree Absolute

A court order which dissolves a marriage

Decree Nisi

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)

Deed

A formal document signed and witnessed or sworn

Deeds

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

Default Judgment

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

Defendant

The party against whom proceedings are brought

Deponent

Person giving evidence by Affidavit

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