legal proceedings
Formal judicial process
Legal proceedings are the formal steps taken through a court or legal system to resolve a dispute or enforce rights.
The term covers lawsuits, hearings, trials, and appeals—any official action within the judicial process: The company faces legal proceedings over the data breach.
Someone may initiate legal proceedings or be named in legal proceedings.
One who decides
- juryLegal decision-making body
- verdictOfficial court decision
- benchShared seating surface
- gavelSmall ceremonial hammer
plaintiff · defendant · testimony · witness · prosecution · defense · hearing · courtroom
Civil court proceeding
- plaintiffCivil case initiator
- defendantParty facing charges
- attorneyLicensed legal representative
- counselExpert guidance offered
deposition · discovery · subpoena · injunction · pleadings · complaint · summons · brief
Legal decision-making body
- verdictOfficial court decision
- testimonySworn statement as evidence
- cross-examinationOpposing party questions witness
- evidenceFacts supporting truth
deliberation · plea · indictment · acquittal · conviction · opening statement · closing argument · exhibit
Just and equal treatment
- impartialityFreedom from prejudice
- rightsJustified claims to freedoms
- protectionGuarding against harm
- habeas corpusWrit challenging lawful custody
judicial review · presumption of innocence · burden of proof · right to counsel · appeal · notice · hearing · confrontation
Intervention to resolve conflict
- arbitratorOne who resolves disputes
- mediatorNeutral conflict resolver
- dispute resolutionSettling conflicts formally
- settlementResolved dispute or colony
negotiation · neutral party · binding · non-binding · panel · award · conciliation · conference
judge
One who decides
gavel · plaintiff · defendant · testimony · witness · prosecution · defense · hearing · courtroom · bailiff
lawsuit
Civil court proceeding
counsel · deposition · discovery · subpoena · injunction · pleadings · complaint · summons · brief · motion
jury
Legal decision-making body
- verdictOfficial court decision
- testimonySworn statement as evidence
- cross-examinationOpposing party questions witness
evidence · deliberation · plea · indictment · acquittal · conviction · opening statement · closing argument · exhibit · sequester
fairness
Just and equal treatment
- impartialityFreedom from prejudice
- rightsJustified claims to freedoms
- protectionGuarding against harm
habeas corpus · judicial review · presumption of innocence · burden of proof · right to counsel · appeal · notice · hearing · confrontation · speedy trial
mediation
Intervention to resolve conflict
- arbitratorOne who resolves disputes
- mediatorNeutral conflict resolver
- dispute resolutionSettling conflicts formally
settlement · negotiation · neutral party · binding · non-binding · panel · award · conciliation · conference · compromise
- litigationpleadings, lawsuit, plaintiff, complaint, lawsuits
- court recordscourt documents, court transcripts, court records, court cases, court record
- courthousescourtroom, courthouse, federal courthouse, county courthouse, historic courthouse
- civil courtscivil cases, civil claims, civil litigation, civil procedure, court hearings
- Legal Procedurecivil procedure, criminal procedure, trial procedure, burden of proof, pleadings
- SEC filingsprospectus, SEC filing, red herring, risk factors, financial statements
legal proceedingsbackroom deal
Secret unofficial agreement
out-of-court settlement · gentleman's agreement · mediation · arbitration · verbal agreement
legal proceedingsvigilante justice
Unauthorized punishment by civilians
mob justice · lynching · taking the law into one's own hands · vendetta · summary execution
legal proceedingsletting it go
inaction · dismissal · walking away · acquiescence · withdrawal
legal, illegal, legalize, legally, proceeds, precedent, legalized, illegally, proceedings