What the Words Mean in Learning about the Law

advance directive

Written instructions about what health care a person wants or does not want in the future if a decision needs to be made and they’re incapable of making it. Sometimes called a "living will."

attorney

A person legally appointed or empowered to act on behalf of another person.

beneficiary

A person who is to receive money or property in a will, benefit plan, or insurance policy.

bylaw

A law made by a local government that applies only to the local area. For example, most cities and towns in British Columbia have building bylaws to control the way buildings in that community are designed and constructed.

collective agreement

When a workplace includes workers who belong to a union, a collective agreement sets out the conditions of employment. These typically include wages and benefits, hours of work, duties of workers and the employer, and a process to resolve disputes.

constitution

The constitution of a country or organization is the system of laws which formally state people's rights and responsibilities.

contact

The time a person who is not a child’s guardian spends with the child.

contract

A legally recognized agreement made between two or more people.

court

A place where legal matters are decided by a judge or a jury. (A jury is a group of people chosen from the general public to decide a legal matter.)

court order

A decision made by a court.

custom

A way of behaving or a belief that has been established for a long time.

discrimination

When a person is treated differently or unfairly because of personal differences that are spelled out in human rights law. Examples include a person’s race, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or disability.

dispute resolution

A process of resolving disputes between people.

divorce

The legal process that ends a valid marriage.

down payment

A part of the purchase price paid at the time of purchase, with the balance to be paid later.

elder abuse

Mistreatment that harms an older person. It can take many forms, including physical, financial, or emotional ill-treatment, or neglect of an older person.

elder law

An area of law focusing on issues that affect older people.

election

A process in which people vote to choose a person or group of people to hold an official position.

employee

Under the law in BC, an employee is a worker who is covered by employment standards legislation.

employment contract

A legally recognized agreement between an employer and a worker setting out the terms and conditions of the working relationship.

enduring power of attorney

A legal document that enables an adult to appoint another person to make financial and legal decisions for them, and specifies that the appointment continues — or “endures” — in the event the adult becomes mentally incapable.

enhanced representation agreement

A legal document used to authorize someone to assist an adult, or to act on the adult’s behalf, for health care and personal care matters. Often called a section 9 representation agreement. Must be made by a legally capable adult.

equality

The same status, rights, and responsibilities for all the members of a society or group.

eviction

The act of forcing someone to leave a rental property.

evidence

Information used in a legal proceeding to try to prove something.

executor

The person named in a will to carry out the instructions in the will and settle the will-maker’s affairs after they die.

federal

Laws or institutions (such as courts or government) that deal with the whole country.

fixed-term tenancy

A tenancy agreement where the tenant agrees to rent a place for a certain amount of time, such as one year. Also referred to as a lease.

guardian

A person who has the legal authority (and the corresponding duty) to care for the interests of another person. That person might be a child or an older adult in need of care.

guilty

When a person is found responsible for a crime.

identity theft

When someone takes personal information and uses it to access that person’s finances, make purchases in their name, or commit other crimes.

independent contractor

A person who runs their own business. An independent contractor is considered to be self-employed, and does not have the same rights as an employee.

innocent

Free from legal blame. Not guilty of a crime.

interest

An amount paid to a creditor in exchange for money they lend. The amount is usually a set percentage of the money borrowed. The percentage is called an interest rate.

interim order

A temporary order that lasts a certain amount of time, until a certain event happens, or until a final order is made.

joint bank account

A bank account in which two or more people have ownership rights over the same account.

landlord

A person who owns property and rents or leases it to another person.

layoff

When a worker is told by their employer to leave their job.

lease

An agreement to rent something (such as an apartment or car) for a certain period of time.

mental capacity

A person’s ability to make their own decisions and understand them.

minimum wage

The lowest wage an employer can pay an employee.

month-to-month tenancy

A tenancy on a monthly basis. It continues until the tenant or landlord gives notice to end the tenancy.

mortgage

A legal agreement in which a person borrows money to buy real property (such as a home) and gives the lender a security interest in the property.

municipal government

The government for a local area, such as a city, town, or district.

notice of termination

When an employer fires or lays off a worker, they usually have to give the worker notice of termination. They can do this by telling the worker ahead of time or paying the worker an amount to cover the notice period.

overtime

When someone works beyond a certain number of hours set out in employment standards legislation.

parental responsibilities

The responsibilities a guardian has when raising a child. These include making important decisions about health care, education, and religious upbringing, as well as making day-to-day decisions affecting the child.

parenting time

The time a guardian has with a child. Usually this is set out in a schedule agreed on by the guardians or fixed by the court.

power of attorney

A legal document that enables an adult to give another person (or more than one person) the authority to make financial and legal decisions for them.

protection order

A court order made to protect someone from another person.

punishment

1. Severe physical treatment of any kind. 2. The penalty given to someone who has done something wrong.

representatives

People chosen to act and speak on behalf of a wider group.

representation agreement

A legal document that authorizes someone to assist an adult or act on their behalf for health and personal care matters. It can also cover routine financial and legal matters.

responsibilities

Things a person must do or not do as part of a society or a role.

revoke

To bring to an end.

rights

Things a person is entitled to do or have.

rule of law

A philosophy or practice that supports the equality of all people before the law and prevents the arbitrary use of power.

security deposit

Money paid by a tenant to a landlord at the start of a tenancy and kept until the end of the tenancy. It can cover damage a tenant causes to the rental property.

sentence

The punishment a person receives for committing a crime.

separation

When one or both people in a marriage or marriage-like relationship decide and act like the relationship is over.

social insurance number

A SIN is a nine-digit number that everyone needs to work in Canada, to use government programs, or get government benefits.

social security

Government programs to provide people with income support in a range of situations, including when they’re unemployed, retired, pregnant, or disabled.

spouse

A person who is married, or who is in a marriage-like relationship for a certain period of time.

standard representation agreement

A legal document used to authorize someone to assist an adult, or to act on the adult’s behalf, for routine financial affairs, as well as legal, health care, and personal care matters. Often called a section 7 representation agreement.

statutory holiday

A public holiday recognized in a statute. (A statute is a law made by the government.) On statutory holidays, employees are entitled to the day off with pay, or to extra pay for working on the holiday.

tenancy agreement

A contract between a landlord and tenant that sets out the terms of the rental of a property.

tenant

A person who pays rent for a place they live in or a property they use.

trial

A hearing in court where a decision-maker (usually a judge) listens to evidence and decides (in a criminal trial) whether a person is guilty of a crime or (in a civil trial) how to resolve a dispute.

tribunal

A body that hears disputes and makes decisions in a specific area. It is like a court but less formal. The BC Human Rights Tribunal, which deals with human rights complaints in BC, is an example of a tribunal.

will

A legal document that sets out what will happen after you die to (most of) your property and any minor children. (A will doesn't cover property you own jointly with other people or accounts where you've named a beneficiary.)

Family law

adultery

Sex between someone who is married and someone who is not their spouse.

agreement

A written contract that sets out how spouses have agreed to deal with things like parenting, support, and property.

Child's best interests

A legal test used in family law cases to decide what would best protect your child's: physical, psychological, and emotional safety; security; and well-being.

Child Support Guidelines

The amount of money the person who is paying support must pay. The amount depends on how many children you have. The Guidelines are online on CanLII.

collaborative family law

A situation that involves two or more people working together, usually with lawyers, to reach an agreement or end a dispute.

common-law relationship

A relationship that is considered to be marriage-like because the couple has lived together for at least two years.

consent order

A court order that both spouses agree to.

contact

The time that a person who is not a guardian spends with the child. This person could be a parent who does not have guardianship or another relative, like a grandparent.

contract

An agreement that the law can enforce.

contribute

To give or supply in common with others; to help bring about something better.

court order

An order or decision made by a law court.

custom

Something that is done by people in a particular society because it is traditional.

dispute resolution

A process in which two people work through their family law issues with a trained professional, like a mediator.

divorce

The legal ending of a marriage.

duty counsel

Lawyers who work at the courthouse. They can give you advice about your family case.

enforcement

When people are made to obey a rule, law etc.

excluded property

Any property that is not considered family property.

family debts

Debts that you take on during your relationship that you still owe on the date you separate. They can also be debts you take on after your separation date to maintain family property.

family property

Family property is everything either you or your spouse own together or separately on the date you separate.

final order

A court order that does not have a time limit. It is permanent.

guardian

A person who has the right to make decisions about a child, such as:

• where the child will live or go to school,
• the sort of medical and dental care the child will receive, and
• what religion the child will be raised in.

guardianship

The position of being legally responsible for a child.

impartial

Not involved in a particular situation, and therefore able to give a fair opinion or piece of advice.

interim order

A temporary court order. It has a time limit. You can get an interim order when you need to make decisions right away.

intention

A plan to do something.

mediator

A person that tries to end a dispute between people by discussion.

parental responsibilities

The responsibility of guardian(s) is to make decisions about the child’s life. These can include decisions about daily care, as well as larger ones about health care, education, religious upbringing, etc.

parenting arrangements

Arrangements made for parental responsibilities and parenting time in a court order or agreement between guardians.

parenting time

The time that a guardian has with a child under an order or agreement.

permission

To allow someone to do something.

protection order

A court order made to protect someone from violence.

relocate

Move out of the area, move to another place.

responsibility

Something a person must do.

separation

A situation in which a married couple or common-law couple agree to live apart.

spouse

A married person or a person in marriage-like relationship.

temporary

For a limited time only.

Young people and the law

anonymously

You do not have to give your name, for example, when you phone a help line.

confidential

When information is confidential, the person you tell is not allowed to tell anyone else about it.

contribute

To help bring about something better.

court order

An order or decision made by a law court.

custom

Something that is done by people in a particular society because it is traditional.

discipline

To punish someone in order to keep order and control.

discrimination

Treating someone differently from other people in a way that is unfair.

mistreated

To treat badly, to abuse.

permission

To allow someone to do something.

responsibility

Something a person must do.

sentence

The punishment a person receives after being found guilty of or pleading guilty to committing a crime.

young offender

Criminal offenders who are 12 years or older and 18 years or younger.

youth record

A record of a young person's involvement in Canada's youth justice system.

Elder law

advance directive

Instructions to your representative or to your doctor about what kind of health care you want and don't want if you have a serious medical condition. Sometimes called a "living will."

alternate attorney

An alternate person who can manage your financial, business and legal matters if your attorney cannot.

attorney

A person you appoint to manage financial, business and legal matters for you.

confidential

Will not be shared with anyone else, e.g., confidential information.

designated agencies

Agencies that have a legal responsibility to look into reports of adult abuse and neglect.

donor

The person who gives power of attorney to someone to manage.

enduring power of attorney

A power of attorney that continues if you become mentally incapable.

enhanced representation agreement

Gives authority to your representative to make personal and health care decisions for you, possibly including end-of-life decisions.

estate

Everything that is left when you die.

executor

The person you appoint in your will to distribute your estate when you die. The executor carries out your instructions.

financial, business and legal matters

The time that a person who is not a guardian spends with the child. This person could be a parent who does not have guardianship or another relative, like a grandparent.

limited power of attorney

A power of attorney for a specific action, with a time limit.

mental capacity

The ability to understand decisions and make them.

mental incapacity/mentally incapable

Not having the ability to understand decisions and make them. Someone who cannot understand decisions and make them is mentally incapable.

mistreatment

Treating someone badly.

misuse

Using something in the wrong way.

power of attorney

A legal document that allows an attorney to manage your financial, business and legal matters for you.

representation agreement

A legal document that allows the person you name as your representative to make personal and health care decisions for you.

revoke

Cancel, end.

specific

Particular, distinct.

springing power of attorney

A power of attorney that takes effect only when a particular event has taken place.

standard representation agreement

Gives limited authority to your representative to make some health and routine financial decisions for you.

will

A written legal document that contains your instructions about what happens to your estate when you die.

Working in BC

appeal

A formal request to a court or to someone in authority asking for a decision to be changed.

averaging agreement

Agreements that permit hours of work to be averaged over a period of one, two, three or four weeks. Employees may agree to work up to 12 hours in a day, averaging 40 hours in a week, without being paid overtime.

collective agreement

An agreement between employers and employees which regulates the terms and conditions of employment in their workplace.

collective bargaining

A process of negotiation between the employer and employees aimed at reaching agreements.

compensation

Money paid to someone because they have suffered injury or loss (i.e. loss of employment), or because something they own has been damaged.

criminal record

A record of a person's criminal history.

dispute resolution

When someone solves a problem, argument, or difficult situation.

double-time

A rate of pay equal to double the standard rate.

entitlements

Things you have a right to under a law.

excludes

Keeps something or someone out of an agreement or situation.

inspector

A person whose job is to check that something is satisfactory and that rules are being obeyed.

layoff

Temporary or permanent termination of employment.

overtime

The amount of time someone works beyond their normal working hours.

pregnancy leave

A leave of absence for an expectant or new mother for the birth and care of the baby.

reference

A person who provides information about your character and abilities.

regulations

These are rules that say how a particular law should work in practice.

statutory holiday

A public holiday legislated either through federal, or a provincial or territorial government. Most workers can take the day off with regular pay.

terminate

To end. For example, if you are terminated you no longer have a job.

Renting a home

appeal

A formal request to a court or to someone in authority asking for a decision to be changed.

compensation

Money paid to someone because they have suffered a loss (e.g. the landlord is evicting a tenant in order to renovate the place, or tear it down, or move in).

criminal record

A record of a person’s criminal history.

dispute resolution

When someone solves a problem, argument, or difficult situation.

eviction

To tell someone legally that they must leave the house they are living in.

evidence

Facts or signs that show clearly that something exists or is true.

fixed-term tenancy (lease)

A tenancy agreement where the tenant agrees to live somewhere for a certain amount of time, such as 1 year.

giving notice

Give written notice to the landlord that you want to move out.

inspector

A person whose job is to check that something is satisfactory and that rules are being obeyed.

landlord

A person who owns property and rents or leases it to another person.

lease

A contract for the temporary use or occupation of an apartment or house in exchange for payment of rent.

month-to-month tenancy

A tenancy agreement with no fixed term.

regulations

These are rules that say how a particular law should work in practice.

rent

The amount of money the tenant pays the landlord each month for the right to live in the landlord’s property.

rent increase

An increase in a tenant’s rent.

Residential Tenancy Act

The law that says what tenants and landlords can and cannot do.

Residential Tenancy Branch

The government department in charge of tenant-landlord law.

security deposit

An amount of money that you give to a landlord before you rent a house or apartment, and that is returned to you after you leave if you have not damaged the property.

tenancy agreement

A form signed by the tenant and landlord saying what they agree to.

tenant

A person who pays rent to occupy the landlord’s house or apartment.

welfare

Welfare also referred to as social assistance or income assistance is government-managed funding for the basic necessities of life for those who cannot earn an income. An applicant for welfare must apply for the funding through the Ministry of Social Development. A self-serve assessment tool is available at www.eia.gov.bc.ca/bcea.htm.

This information applies to British Columbia, Canada. Last reviewed for legal accuracy by People's Law School, 2013.

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