Legal Dictionary
Meanings of Indian legal terms, abbreviations and designations in simple English.
27 terms
- AccusedLegal terminologyThe accused is the person against whom a criminal case has been started. An accused is not a convict: guilt has to be proved in court.
- AffidavitLegal terminologyAn affidavit is a written statement of facts that the person making it swears or affirms to be true, usually before a notary or an oath commissioner. False statements in it can lead to penalties.
- Anticipatory bailLegal terminologyAnticipatory bail is bail asked for in advance by a person who fears arrest for a non-bailable offence. If granted, the person is released on bail if arrested.
- BailLegal terminologyBail is the temporary release of a person accused of an offence, on conditions such as giving a bond and appearing in court when required, while the case is still pending.
- Bailable offenceLegal terminologyIn a bailable offence, bail is a matter of right: the person arrested has to be released on bail if they give the required bond or surety.
- Cognizable offenceLegal terminologyA cognizable offence is a more serious offence where the police can register an FIR and begin investigating without first getting a magistrate's permission, and can generally arrest without a warrant.
- ComplainantLegal terminologyThe complainant is the person who reports an offence to the police or makes a complaint to a magistrate or another authority.
- DecreeLegal terminologyA decree is the formal decision of a civil court that settles the rights of the parties in a suit. It is what a winning party enforces, which is called execution.
- DefendantLegal terminologyThe defendant is the person a civil suit is filed against, who has to answer the plaintiff's claim in court.
- Ex parteLegal terminologyEx parte describes a decision or order made when one side was not present in court, usually because they were told about the hearing and did not attend.
- Habeas corpusLegal terminologyHabeas corpus is a writ asking a court to order that a person who is detained be brought before it, so that the court can decide whether the detention is lawful.
- InjunctionLegal terminologyAn injunction is a court order telling a person to do something or to stop doing something. It can be temporary, until the case is decided, or permanent.
- JurisdictionLegal terminologyJurisdiction is the power of a particular court to hear a case. It depends on things such as where the parties live or where the events happened, the kind of case, and the amount involved.
- Legal noticeLegal terminologyA legal notice is a formal written message, often sent by a lawyer, telling someone about a claim or complaint and what is expected of them before court action. It is not required in every case, but some matters, such as a dishonoured cheque, need one first.
- Limitation periodLegal terminologyA limitation period is the time limit for starting a case or an appeal. In civil matters the Limitation Act, 1963 sets these limits, and a claim filed too late can be refused.
- Non-bailable offenceLegal terminologyIn a non-bailable offence, bail is not a matter of right. A court decides whether to grant it after looking at the facts of the case.
- Non-cognizable offenceLegal terminologyA non-cognizable offence is a less serious offence where the police generally need a magistrate's order before they can investigate or arrest. The police record the complaint and refer the complainant to the magistrate.
- ParoleLegal terminologyParole is a temporary release of a convicted prisoner for a stated reason and period, on conditions. The rules are made by each state.
- PetitionerLegal terminologyThe petitioner is the person who files a petition asking a court for an order or relief, for example in a writ petition or a matrimonial case.
- PlaintiffLegal terminologyThe plaintiff is the person who starts a civil case (a suit) in court by making a claim against someone else.
- Power of attorneyLegal terminologyA power of attorney is a document by which one person authorises another to act for them, for example to sign papers or manage property. Its stamp duty and registration rules differ from state to state.
- Public Interest LitigationPILLegal terminologyA PIL is a case brought in a High Court or the Supreme Court to protect the interest of the public or a group that cannot easily approach the court itself, rather than the petitioner's own private interest.
- RespondentLegal terminologyThe respondent is the person or body a petition or appeal is filed against, who responds to it in court.
- Stay orderLegal terminologyA stay order is a court order that pauses an action, order or proceeding for a time, usually until the court can decide the matter properly.
Not legal advice
LawMitran is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. What you read here is general legal information; laws, fees and timelines vary by state and by the facts of your case. Using LawMitran does not create an advocate–client relationship. See our legal disclaimer.
LawMitran is not a law firm. This reference is educational information, and using it does not create an advocate–client relationship. Statutory text is available from the official source linked on each page; where the two differ, the official text prevails. Find a verified lawyer for advice on your situation.