Legal Dictionary

Meanings of Indian legal terms, abbreviations and designations in simple English.

52 terms

Indian Police ServiceIPSProfessional designationThe IPS is one of India's All India Services: a cadre of senior police officers recruited nationally and posted to the States and the Centre. IPS is a government service, not an Act or a section of any law.
Information Technology ActIT ActLegislationThe IT Act is India's main law on electronic records, digital signatures and cyber offences such as hacking and online fraud.
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.
Lok AdalatCourt or bodyA Lok Adalat is a forum that helps parties settle disputes by agreement, often before or during a court case. A settlement reached there is generally final and cannot be appealed.
MediationProcedureMediation is a way of settling a dispute where a neutral person, the mediator, helps the parties reach an agreement. The mediator does not decide the case.
National Crime Records BureauNCRBCourt or bodyThe NCRB collects and publishes crime statistics for India. It records and reports on crime. It does not investigate cases.
Negotiable Instruments ActNI ActLegislationThe Negotiable Instruments Act deals with cheques, promissory notes and bills of exchange. It is best known for the offence of a cheque being dishonoured for insufficient funds.
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.
Plea bargainingProcedurePlea bargaining is when an accused person agrees to plead guilty in return for a lighter sentence. It is not available for every offence and needs the court's approval.
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.
Protection of Children from Sexual Offences ActPOCSOLegislationPOCSO is the special law that protects children from sexual offences and sets out child-friendly procedures for reporting, investigation and trial.
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.
Public ProsecutorPPProfessional designationA Public Prosecutor is the government's lawyer who conducts the prosecution of a criminal case in court on behalf of the State.
RemandProcedureRemand is a magistrate's order sending an arrested person into custody, either police custody or judicial custody, while an investigation or case continues.
RespondentLegal terminologyThe respondent is the person or body a petition or appeal is filed against, who responds to it in court.
Right to Information ActRTILegislationThe RTI Act lets citizens ask government bodies for information and requires them to reply within a set time, subject to certain exemptions.
Station House OfficerSHOProfessional designationThe Station House Officer is the police officer in charge of a police station. FIRs are commonly registered with or through the SHO.

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