Abet

— (Verb) — To help someone commit a crime, including helping to escape from police or plan the crime.

Acquittal

— A jury verdict that a criminal defendant is not guilty, or the finding of a judge that the evidence is insufficient to support a conviction.

Active judge

— A judge in the full-time service of the court. Compare to senior judge.

Admissible

— A term used to describe evidence that may be considered by a jury or judge in civil and criminal cases.

Affidavit

— A written or printed statement made under oath.

Affirmed

— In the practice of the court of appeals, it means that the court of appeals has concluded that the lower court decision is correct and will stand as rendered by the lower court.

Agent

— Someone who acts on behalf of someone else. For example, a conveyancer who acts on behalf of a couple buying a house.

Agreement

— Where two parties reach consensus on a set of facts or course of action. For example, when a formerly married couple agree the terms of their divorce.

Allegation

— A claim made against someone, often without proof. Or a claim that someone has engaged in an unlawful act.

Alternative dispute resolution (ADR)

— A procedure for settling a dispute outside the courtroom. Most forms of ADR are not binding, and involve referral of the case to a neutral party such as an arbitrator or mediator.

Amicus curiae

— Latin for "friend of the court." It is advice formally offered to the court in a brief filed by an entity interested in, but not a party to, the case.

Arbitration

— A way of seeking to resolve a dispute without going to court: a third party (the arbitrator) looks at both sides of the dispute and makes a decision as to how it should be resolved. Those involved may agree to be bound by the decision of the arbitrator.

Asset

— Thing owned by a person or organisation which usually have some value.

Associate

— A person, usually employed by a law firm, who may be in charge of handling your case: often a lawyer, they are considered by the firm employing them to be a 'senior assistant'.