Breach of Contract
Unlawful failure to abide by the terms of a legally binding agreement.

Counsel
Another word for a barrister.

Counterclaim
A claim made by a person who is already a Defendant, against the Claimant.

Creditor
A person to whom money is owed.

Debtor
A person who owes money.

Defence
The basis on which a claim is resisted.

Directions
Procedural steps to be taken in a court claim, prior to the trial.

Hearing
An occasion when one or more party to a case appears before the judge.

Injunction
A court order requiring a person either to do, or refrain from doing, a specified act.

Insolvency
Inability to pay one’s debts as they fall due.

‘Negligence
In law, negligence means a failure to reach the legally required standard of conduct.

Particulars of Claim
A document which sets out the details of the allegations made in a legal dispute.

Proceedings
Another word for a court case.

Summary Judgment
A process by which a court can give judgment in a dispute without the need for a full trial.

Trial
The final hearing when a case is decided by a judge and, possibly, jury.

Without Prejudice
A ‘without prejudice’ letter or conversation is ‘off the record’ and relates to an attempt to settle a dispute without affecting a party’s formal position.

Witness
A person who gives evidence in a court case.

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