Legal glossary category
Civil Procedure
Browse 32 glossary entries in the Civil Procedure category, with short plain-English descriptions and direct links to the full term pages.
decision
It’s like when your teacher makes a final call about whose homework was best; that call settles the argument over who gets extra credit.
Open term →decree
A decree is like the teacher signing your permission slip; it officially says you *can* go to the field trip and sets the rules for how you must be...
Open term →defend
Defending is like when someone accuses you of taking their crayon, but you show them the evidence proving *you* had permission to use it anyway.
Open term →defense
If you promise your friend $5 but he claims you never promised it, saying 'It was a joke' is your defense.
Open term →determination
A determination is like when your teacher decides you passed or failed a test; that ruling officially settles that part of school.
Open term →discovery
Discovery is like when your teacher asks you to show all your homework before grading it.
Open term →discretion
Discretion is like having a hall pass that lets you choose which hallway to go down—the principal doesn't tell you exactly where, just that you can...
Open term →disposition
A disposition is like deciding if your permission slip gets signed (approved) or rejected (denied).
Open term →district
Think of it like a neighborhood park; your hall pass only lets you play in that specific area.
Open term →district court
Think of it like the principal's office at your school; it handles almost every single complaint, big or small.
Open term →examination
Think of an examination like checking your homework before the teacher grades it.
Open term →federal
A federal issue is like getting permission to use the school playground, but that permission comes straight from the principal's office instead of...
Open term →files
A file is like the collection folder you keep when you promise your friend you'll bring them their favorite toy; it proves the promise existed.
Open term →final
A final grade on a test means you can't take it again and argue the teacher graded unfairly.
Open term →final judgment
It’s like when your teacher gives you a permanent grade on a test; that score is final unless a parent successfully challenges the grading criteria.
Open term →form
Think of it like a permission slip for field trips; filling out that specific form tells everyone you are allowed to go.
Open term →index
An index is like the list at the back of your favorite storybook that tells you exactly where 'dragons' start on page 42.
Open term →injunction
It acts like a very strict hall pass: if the principal gives you an 'injunction,' you must stay in your seat, or else you get detention for breakin...
Open term →inquiry
It’s like asking your teacher for help on homework; an inquiry is you formally pointing out what you don't understand.
Open term →interim
It's like getting a hall pass from your teacher that lets you go to the water fountain now, but doesn't mean you can leave the classroom for good.
Open term →investigating
Investigating is like checking your permission slip before school lets you play outside.
Open term →issue
Think of it like a disagreement over whose turn it is to read the book; that specific 'turn' is the issue that needs settling.
Open term →joinder
Joinder is like adding multiple names to one permission slip so they can all go to the park at once instead of needing separate slips for each friend.
Open term →judgment
A judgment works like a hall pass the teacher gives you after you win a spelling bee – it lets the winner demand something from the loser, like a c...
Open term →judicial
A judicial ruling is like when the teacher tells you your homework grade is final after grading it; that's the official, enforceable decision.
Open term →jurisdiction
Jurisdiction is like having permission to grade homework; if the principal (court) lacks jurisdiction over your class, any A+ she gives might be th...
Open term →jury
Think of a jury like a group of kids voting on whether a playground rule was broken, and their majority decision decides the consequence.
Open term →jury trial
It is like when you and your friend argue over who broke the crayon; instead of just one adult deciding it, everyone else gets to vote on who did it.
Open term →legal action
It is like when you refuse to return a library book, and the librarian officially sends you a notice demanding you pay the fine.
Open term →legal process
A legal process is like following the steps on a permission slip: you must fill out your name first, then get a signature, and finally hand it in t...
Open term →litigation
Litigation is like when two kids argue over whose turn it is on the swing set; they take their dispute to a teacher (the judge) for a binding decis...
Open term →moratorium
A moratorium is like getting a hall pass when you have to turn in your homework; it stops the due date clock for a little while so you can finish up.
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