cause of action
Basis for suing
A cause of action is the legal basis for a lawsuit—the facts and legal theory that entitle someone to seek a remedy in court.
A single lawsuit may contain multiple causes of action: The complaint alleged causes of action for breach of contract, fraud, and negligent misrepresentation.
Without a valid cause of action, a case will be dismissed.
Required moral task
- breachBreaking of agreement
- damagesCompensation for injury
- negligenceFailure to exercise care
- intentPlanned purpose
reliance · standing · injury · harm · foreseeability · standard of care · materiality · privity
Actionable civil harm
- negligenceFailure to exercise care
- breach of contractFailure to perform agreed duties
- fraudIntentional criminal trickery
- defamationFalse statements harming reputation
malpractice · trespass · conversion · battery · assault · false imprisonment · product liability · strict liability
Act of finding something
- depositionFormal testimony under oath
- interrogatoriesFormal discovery questions
- testimonySworn statement as evidence
- evidenceFacts supporting truth
trial · verdict · judgment · appeal · motion · hearing · statute of limitations · burden of proof
Expression of discontent
- counterclaimDefendant's opposing lawsuit
- petitionFormal written appeal
- summonsFormal court notification
- pleadingsFormal litigation documents
allegation · claim · filing · joinder · severance · amendment · demurrer · motion to dismiss
Compensation for injury
- compensatoryMaking up for loss
- punitiveInflicting or intending penalty
- nominalIn designation only
- injunctionCourt-ordered behavioral requirement
restitution · rescission · reformation · monetary award · attorney fees · costs · redress · remedy
Civil case initiator
- defendantParty facing charges
- claimantOne asserting entitlement
- respondentOne who gives answers
- petitionerOne who formally requests
appellant · appellee · counsel · attorney · litigant · class member · third party · intervenor
duty
Required moral task
- breachBreaking of agreement
- damagesCompensation for injury
- negligenceFailure to exercise care
intent · reliance · standing · injury · harm · foreseeability · standard of care · materiality · privity · consideration
tort
Actionable civil harm
- negligenceFailure to exercise care
- breach of contractFailure to perform agreed duties
- fraudIntentional criminal trickery
defamation · malpractice · trespass · conversion · battery · assault · false imprisonment · product liability · strict liability · nuisance
discovery
Act of finding something
- depositionFormal testimony under oath
- interrogatoriesFormal discovery questions
- testimonySworn statement as evidence
evidence · trial · verdict · judgment · appeal · motion · hearing · statute of limitations · burden of proof · summary judgment
complaint
Expression of discontent
- counterclaimDefendant's opposing lawsuit
- petitionFormal written appeal
- summonsFormal court notification
pleadings · allegation · claim · filing · joinder · severance · amendment · demurrer · motion to dismiss · affirmative defense
damages
Compensation for injury
- compensatoryMaking up for loss
- punitiveInflicting or intending penalty
- nominalIn designation only
injunction · restitution · rescission · reformation · monetary award · attorney fees · costs · redress · remedy
plaintiff
Civil case initiator
- defendantParty facing charges
- claimantOne asserting entitlement
- respondentOne who gives answers
petitioner · appellant · appellee · counsel · attorney · litigant · class member · third party · intervenor · co-defendant
- civil lawproperty disputes, Napoleonic Code, litigation, damage claims, codification
- court filingscomplaint, motion to dismiss, counterclaim, pleading, cross-claim
cause of actiondismissal
Removal from position
verdict · judgment · final judgment · disposition · ruling
cause of actionaffirmative defense
Defendant's excuse admitting act
defense · legal defense · counterclaim · answer · denial
action, cause, because, causes, causation, causal, causality