| A | B |
|---|
| civil law | laws that regulate individuals or group relations. Usually a dispute that may end in a lawsuit |
| plaintiff | the party who files the lawsuit in a civil case |
| defendent | the part who is being sued in a civil case |
| tort | civil wrong (negligence) recognized by law as grounds for a lawsuit |
| lawsuit | a civil action resulting in a plaintiff seekeng damages (money) from a defendent |
| preponderance of evidence | the plaintiff does not have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt but only that his claims are most likely true |
| contract | written agreement between two parties |
| breach of contract | when one party breaks a written agreement |
| out of court settlement | negotiations between two parties/attorneys in which a settlement is reached without the judicial system |
| mediation | attempt to settle a legal dispute through active participation of a third party who tries to persuade or negotiate |
| arbitration | use of an independent person to settle a dispute that is binding |
| damages | money to be paid as compensation for injury or loss |
| litigation | the process of taking legal actions |
| standard burden of proof | includes beyond a reasonable doubt in criminal cases and preponderance of evidence in civil cases |
| subpeona | court order, (document) to appear in court |
| slander | making false and damaging statements about someone (spoken) |
| libel | a published false statement that is damaging to persons reputation (written) |
