Words explained
Legal words, in everyday English
Courts use words that nobody explains. Search here whenever you hear something you do not recognise.
28 words
- AccusedCriminal
- The person charged with a crime.
- AcquittalCriminal
- A finding of not guilty. It means the state did not prove the case beyond reasonable doubt.
- AffidavitBoth
- A written statement sworn to be true before a commissioner of oaths.
- BailCriminal
- Release of an accused person before trial, often on conditions such as staying away from the complainant.
- CAS numberCriminal
- The case number the police give you when a case is opened. Quote it in every enquiry.
- ComplainantCriminal
- The person who reports the crime and against whom it was committed.
- Cross-examinationBoth
- Questioning by the other side's lawyer, meant to test your evidence.
- Default judgmentCivil
- Judgment granted because the other side did not defend the claim in time.
- DiscoveryCivil
- The exchange of documents each side intends to rely on at trial.
- DocketCriminal
- The police case file holding statements, reports and evidence.
- In cameraCriminal
- A closed court, with the public and press excluded. Usual in sexual offence cases.
- IntermediaryCriminal
- A trained person who relays questions to a child or vulnerable witness in words they understand.
- Investigating officerCriminal
- The police official responsible for gathering evidence in your case.
- Letter of demandCivil
- A written demand sent before suing, giving the other side a chance to settle.
- Minimum sentenceCriminal
- A sentence the law requires for certain serious offences unless the court finds substantial and compelling reasons to impose less.
- NPACriminal
- The National Prosecuting Authority, the body that decides whether to prosecute and runs the state's case.
- PlaintiffCivil
- The person bringing a civil claim.
- PleaCriminal
- The accused's answer to the charge: guilty or not guilty.
- PostponementBoth
- The case is moved to a later date. Common, and not a sign the case is failing.
- PrescriptionCivil
- The time limit for bringing a claim. Once it passes, the claim usually falls away.
- ProsecutorCriminal
- The lawyer who presents the state's case in a criminal court.
- RemandCriminal
- Holding the case over to another date, with the accused in custody or on bail.
- SheriffCivil
- The official who delivers court papers and carries out court orders.
- SubpoenaBoth
- A written instruction to attend court and give evidence on a set date.
- SummonsCivil
- The court document that starts a civil claim against a defendant.
- TCCCriminal
- Thuthuzela Care Centre — a one-stop centre for sexual offence victims, with medical care, counselling and police in one place.
- Victim impact statementCriminal
- Your account of how the crime has affected your life, given to the court before sentencing.
- Warrant of executionCivil
- An order allowing the sheriff to attach property to satisfy a judgment debt.