Business Law.txt

A written or printed voluntary statement of facts, confirmed by the oath or affirmation of the party making it and made before a person having the authority to administer the oath or affirmation

A response to a plaintiff's claim that does not deny the plaintiff's facts but attacks the plaintiff's legal right to bring an action. An example is the running of the statute of limitatioins.

Procedurally, a defendant's response to the plaintiff's complaint.

A formal legal document submitted by the attorney for the appellant-or the appellee (in answer to the appellant's brief)-to an appellate court when a case is appealed. The appellants brief outlines the facts and issues of the case, the judge's rulings or jury's findings that should be reversed or modified the applicable law, and the arguments on the clients behalf.

An argument made after the plaintiff and defendant have rested their cases. Closing arguments are made prior to the jury charges.

The pleading made by a plaintiff alleging wrongdoing on the part of the defendant; the document that, when filed with a court, initates a lawsuit.

A claim made by a defendant in a civil lawsuit that in effect sues the plaintiff.

The questioning of an opposing witness during the trial.

One against whom a lawsuit is brought; the accused person in a criminal proceeding.

The testimony of a party to a lawsuit or a witness taken under oath before a trial.

The examination of a witness by the attorney who calls the witness to the stand to testify on behalf of the attorney's client.

A phase in the litigation process during which the opposing parties may obtain information from each other and from third parties prior to trial.

A type of evidence that consists of computer-generated or electronically recorded information,including e-mail,voice mail,spreadsheets,word processing documents, and other data.

The rules controlling procedural matters in civil trials brought before the federal district courts.

An oral or written statement made out of court that is later offered in court by a witness (not the person who made the statement) to prove the truth of the matter asserted in the statement. Hearsay is generally inadmissable as evidence.

A series of written questions for which written answers are prepared and then signed under oath by a party to a lawsuit, usually with the assistance of the party's attorney.

A procedural request or application presented by an attorney to the court on behalf of a client.

In a state court, a party's request that the judge enter a judgement in her or his favor before the case is submitted to a jury because the other party has not presented sufficient evidence to support the claim. The federal courts refer to this request as a motion for judgement as a matter of law.

In a federal court, a party's request that the judge enter a judgment in his or her favor before the case is submitted to a jury because the other party has not presented sufficient evidence to support the claim. The state courts refer to this request as a motion for a directed verdict.

A motion asserting that the trial was so fundamentally flawed (because of error newly discovered evidence, prejudice, or other reason) that a new trial is necessary to prevent a miscarriage of justice.

A motion requesting the court to grant judgment in favor of the party making the motion on the ground that the jury verdict against him or her was unreasonable and erroneous.

A motion by either party to a lawsuit at the close of the pleadings requesting the court to decide the issue solely on the pleadings without proceeding to trial. The motion will be granted only if no facts are in dispute.

A motion requesting the court to enter a judgment without proceeding to trial. The motion can be based on evidence outside the pleadings and will be granted only if no facts are in dispute.

A pleading in which a defendant asserts that the plaintiff's claim fails to state a cause of action (that is, has no basis in law) or that there are other grounds on which a suit should be dismissed.

A statement made to the jury at the beginning of a trial by a party's attorney, prior to the presentation of evidence. The attorney briefly outlines the evidence that will be offered and the legal theory that will be pursued.

Statements made by the plaintiff and the defendant in a lawsuit that detail the facts, charges, and defenses involved in the litigation; the complaint and answer are part of the pleadings.

A conference scheduled before the trial begins, between the judge and the attorneys litigating the suit. The parties may settle the dispute, clarify the issues, schedule discovery and so on during the conference.

A written or oral application to a court for a ruling or order, made before trial.

The refutation of evidence introduced by an adverse party's attorney

The defendant's answer to the plaintiff's rebuttal

Evidence tending to make a fact at issue in the case more or less probable than it would be without the evidence. Only relevant evidence is admissable in court.

Rules governing the admissibility of evidence in trial courts.

The delivery of the complaint and summons to a defendant

A document informing a defendant that a legal action has been commenced against him or her and that the defendant must appear in court on a certain date to answer the plaintiff's complaint. The document is delivered by a sheriff or any other person so authorized.

A formal decision made by a jury

A French phrase meaning, literally, "to see,to speak." In jury trials, the phrase refers to the process in which the attorneys question prospective jurors to determine whether they are biased or have any connection with a party to the action or with a prospective witness.

A court's order, after a judgment has been entered against the debtor, directing the sherriff to seize (levy) and sell any of the debtors nonexempt real or personal property. The proceeds of the sale are used to pay off the judgment, accrued interest, and costs of the sale; any surplus is paid to the debtor