What the Words Mean in Learning about the Law

Fundamentals of law and criminal and civil law

adjudicator

Someone who makes a formal judgment on a disputed matter, such as a judge in a court.

appeal

Ask a higher court to overturn a lower court's decision.

arrest

Take someone into custody by legal authority.

confidential

Something that is meant to be kept a secret from non-approved people.

cross-examine

To question an opposing party’s witness in order to challenge or clarify his or her previous testimony in a court proceeding.

discrimination

The practice of treating one person or group differently from another in an unfair way.

elected

Chosen by popular vote to fill a position, usually political.

equality

A situation where people are treated the same way despite their cultural, social or economic differences.

federal

Matters or institutions that deal with the whole country where different provinces or states also have their own institutions and responsibilities.

guilty

Found to be responsible for a wrongdoing.

innocent

Found to be not responsible for a wrongdoing.

judgment

A decision on a dispute. In law, it is a decision by a court on a contested matter.

jurisdiction

The right to use an official power to make legal decisions, or the area where this right exists.

Legislative Assembly

The group of individuals who, meeting in regular session, have the power to pass laws provincially. In Canada, each province has a legislative assembly whose members are elected by popular vote at general elections.

mediator

Someone who tries to bring parties in dispute to a mutual agreement or resolution.

municipal government

The government for a local area, usually a city or a district.

parole

The release of a prisoner before his or her full sentence is served on a promise of good behavior in future.

politicians

People who involve themselves in matters related to governing a territory.

punishment

The penalty given to a wrongdoer.

regulate

Control or supervise by means of rules and regulations.

representatives

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

responsibilities

The things one is required to do or not do as part of a legal obligation, a job or a role.

rights

Legal or moral entitlement to have or do something.

social services

Services provided by the government or other organizations for the benefit of the community.

trial

A court procedure to examine the evidence in a disputed matter, whether criminal or civil, to arrive at a legal judgment.

tribunals

Official legal forums set up to decide or pass judgment on disputed matters.

young offenders

Criminal offenders who are 12 years or older and 18 years or younger. Among other things, they are subject to less severe sentences than adults, and their names are generally not publicized. For certain serious offences, youths aged 14-18 can be tried and sentenced as adults.

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

Learning about the Law Wikibook © People's Law School is, except for the images, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International Licence.

The testing of the claims in a court proceeding at a formal hearing before a judge with the jurisdiction to hear the proceeding. The parties present their evidence and arguments to the judge, who then makes a decision resolving the parties' claims against one another that is final and binding on the parties unless successfully appealed. See "action," "appeal," "argument," "claim," "evidence" and "jurisdiction."

In law, the re-examination of a term of an order or agreement, usually to determine whether the term remains fair and appropriate in light of the circumstances prevailing at the time of the review. In family law, particularly the review of an order or agreement provided for the payment of spousal support. See "de novo," "family law agreements," "order" and "spousal support."

A judge's conclusions after hearing argument and considering the evidence presented at a trial or an application; a decision, the judge's reasons. A judge's written or oral decision will include the judge's conclusions about the relief or remedies claimed as well as the judge's findings of fact and conclusions of law. A written decision is called the judge’s "reasons for judgment." See "common law," "conclusion of law," "finding of fact" and "final judgment."

A person appointed by the federal or provincial government to manage and decide court proceedings in an impartial manner, independent of influence by the parties, the government, or agents of the government. The decisions of a judge are binding upon the parties to the proceeding, subject to appeal.

An application to a higher court for a review of the correctness of a decision of a lower court. A decision of a judge of the Provincial Court of British Columbia can be appealed to the Supreme Court of British Columbia. A decision of a judge of the Supreme Court can be appealed to the Court of Appeal for British Columbia. See "appellant" and "respondent."

In law, (1) a judge's conclusions after hearing argument and considering the evidence presented at a trial or an application, (2) a judgment, or (3) the judge's reasons. A judge's written or oral decision will include the judge's conclusions about the relief or remedies claimed as well as their findings of fact and conclusions of law. A written decision is called the judge’s "reasons for judgment." See "common law," "conclusions of law" and "findings of fact."

In law, a person named as an applicant, claimant, respondent, or third party in a court proceeding; someone asserting a claim in a court proceeding or against whom a claim has been brought. See "action" and "litigant."

A person with direct, personal knowledge of facts and events relevant to the issues before the court; a person giving oral evidence in court on oath or affirmation as to the truth of the evidence given. See "affirm," "evidence," "oath" and "opinion evidence."

Oral evidence given by a witness in court or in an affidavit under the witness's oath or affirmation as to the truth of the statement. See "affirm," "evidence," "oath" and "witness."

A legal proceeding in which one party sues another for a specific remedy or relief, also called an "action," a "lawsuit," or a "case." A court proceeding for divorce, for example, is a proceeding in which the claimant sues the respondent for the relief of a divorce order.

With respect to courts, (1) the authority of the court to hear an action and make orders, (2) the limits of the authority of a particular judicial official, (3) the geographic location of a court, or (4) the territorial limits of a court's authority. With respect to governments, (5) the authority of a government to make legislation as determined by the constitution, or (6) the limits of authority of a particular government agency. See “constitution."

A kind of legislation that provides supplemental rules for a particular act. Regulations are created and amended by the government, not by the legislature, and as a result the legislature has no say in how or what regulations are imposed by government. See "act."

A duty, whether contractual, moral, or legal in origin, to do or not do something. See "duty."

Facts, or proof tending to support the existence of facts, presented to a judge at a hearing or trial. Evidence can be given through the oral testimony of witnesses, in writing as business records and other documents, or in the form of physical objects. Evidence must be admissible according to the rules of court and the rules of evidence. See "circumstantial evidence," "hearsay" and "testimony."