What the Words Mean in Learning about the 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, 2012.

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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 family law, an antiquated term used by the old Divorce Act to describe the right to possess a child and make parenting decisions concerning the child's health, welfare and upbringing. Replaced in the new Divorce Act with the term decision-making responsibility." See "access," "decision-making responsibility" and "parenting time."

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."

A mandatory direction of the court that is binding and enforceable upon the parties to a court proceeding. An "interim order" is a temporary order made following the hearing of an interim application. A "final order" is a permanent order, made following the trial of the court proceeding or the parties' settlement, following which the only recourse open to a dissatisfied party is to appeal. Failing to abide by the terms of an order may constitute contempt of court. See "appeal," "consent order," "contempt of court," "decision" and "declaration."

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."

In family law, a legal document in which a person gives up a right or a claim, or the entitlement to enforce a right or advance a claim; a waiver. Releases are usually signed following the settlement of a court proceeding or legal dispute. See "action" and "claim."

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."

(1) Intentionally doing a thing, or (2) a law passed by a government, also called "legislation" or a "statute." See "regulations."

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

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."

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."