The Law Dictionary for Everyone
A complaint in the legal world refers to the first document that is filed by the plaintiff in a case. This document lists all of the facts and reasons why the plaintiff believes he is justified in bringing his case against the defendant. For example, a complaint filed in a civil case may detail the ways in which the plaintiff […]
Read moreCivil litigation, sometimes referred to as a “civil lawsuit,” is a legal process in which individuals, businesses, and other entities hold another party liable for some type of wrong. Generally, if a person is successful, he or she will be awarded some type of compensation. A civil litigation lawyer represents the plaintiff (the party that initiated the lawsuit) or the […]
Read moreIn civil law, a tort is an intentional or negligent act, a civil wrong, as opposed to a criminal act, which causes harm to another. The term tortfeasor refers to the person who commits such a wrongful act, for which the law allows the injured party to seek restitution or recompense. To explore this concept, consider the following tortfeasor definition. […]
Read moreA civil lawsuit is a legal process by which a person or entity can hold another person or entity liable for some wrong, injury, or damage. If the party who filed the lawsuit is successful in court, the other party may be ordered to pay monetary damages, or he may gain some other advantage. There are many reasons for, and […]
Read moreThe doctrine of laches is a legal defense that may be claimed in a civil matter, which asserts that there has been an unreasonable delay in pursuing the claim (filing the lawsuit), which has prejudiced the defendant, or prevents him from putting on a defense. The doctrine of laches is an equitable defense that seeks to prevent a party from […]
Read moreWhen discussing the law, the term “award” can be somewhat misleading as it is not necessarily a recognition, or honor of an achievement. Where the law is concerned, an award is a judicial decision that is made during a court case in which a plaintiff or defendant is given something that they are seeking. For instance, in a civil lawsuit, […]
Read moreIn the event that one party to a civil lawsuit or other civil court action fails to appear at a scheduled hearing, or fails to respond to a summons after having been officially served, the other party may be awarded the judgment they are seeking. Default judgments are most often awarded to plaintiffs when the defendant fails to respond, but […]
Read moreJoint and several liability comes into play in a civil lawsuit in which one party (usually the Plaintiff) is awarded damages from the other party (usually the Defendant). Joint and several liability means that all of the Defendants are responsible for the act, and for the damages. The Plaintiff, however, may seek to collect the awarded damages from all of […]
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