Legal Advice Glossary
A complete reference of key terms, concepts, and industry jargon to help you understand estimates, quotes, and contracts. 38 terms defined in plain English.
A
- Attorney Fees
- The cost charged by a lawyer for legal services, structured as hourly rates, flat fees, contingency fees, or retainer arrangements.
- Arbitration
- A private dispute resolution process where a neutral arbitrator (or panel) hears evidence and issues a binding or non-binding decision — outside the court system.
- Attorney-Client Privilege
- A legal protection that keeps communications between a client and their attorney confidential — preventing disclosure in court proceedings without the client's consent.
- Affidavit
- A written statement of facts, sworn or affirmed under penalty of perjury before a notary or court officer — admissible as evidence in legal proceedings.
B
- Breach of Contract
- The failure of one party to fulfill their obligations under a legally binding contract — the foundation of most civil commercial disputes.
C
- Contingency Fee
- A fee arrangement where the attorney collects a percentage of the recovery only if the case is won or settled — no win, no fee.
- Class Action
- A lawsuit where one or more plaintiffs sue on behalf of a large group of people with similar claims — consolidating what would otherwise be thousands of individual cases.
D
- Damages
- The monetary compensation a court may award to a plaintiff who proves legal harm — categories include compensatory, punitive, and nominal damages.
- Discovery
- The pre-trial phase of litigation where each side obtains evidence from the other — through depositions, interrogatories, document requests, and admissions.
- Deposition
- Sworn, out-of-court testimony given by a witness or party, recorded by a court reporter and usable at trial — a core discovery tool.
- Default Judgment
- A court ruling in favor of a plaintiff when the defendant fails to respond to a lawsuit within the required time period.
E
- Estate Planning
- The legal process of arranging how assets will be managed, preserved, and distributed at death or incapacity — using wills, trusts, and powers of attorney.
F
- Flat Fee
- A fixed, all-inclusive price for a defined legal service — regardless of the actual time the attorney spends on the matter.
- Filing Fee
- The court's charge for accepting and processing legal filings — required to initiate a lawsuit, file motions, or record legal documents.
G
- Garnishment
- A legal collection tool allowing a judgment creditor to intercept money owed to a debtor from a third party — typically wages from an employer or funds in a bank account.
I
- Injunction
- A court order requiring a party to do something or stop doing something — available in emergency form (TRO) and on a more permanent basis after a hearing.
- Intellectual Property (IP)
- Legal rights protecting creations of the mind — patents (inventions), trademarks (brands), copyrights (creative works), and trade secrets (confidential business information).
J
- Judgment
- A court's final decision in a civil case, establishing the legal rights and obligations of the parties — and creating an enforceable debt if money is awarded.
- Jurisdiction
- The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case — based on the type of claim (subject matter) and the parties' connections to the court's geographic area (personal).
L
- Legal Aid
- Free or reduced-cost legal services provided to low-income individuals by nonprofit organizations, law school clinics, or bar-funded programs.
- Lien
- A legal claim against property (real estate, vehicles, business assets) as security for a debt — typically preventing sale or transfer until the debt is paid.
- Legal Consultation
- An initial meeting between a prospective client and an attorney to evaluate the merits of a potential case and whether representation is appropriate.
- Litigation Cost
- The total expense of pursuing or defending a lawsuit — including attorney fees, court costs, expert witness fees, discovery expenses, and the time cost of litigation.
- Landlord-Tenant Law
- The body of law governing the rental of residential and commercial property — covering leases, security deposits, habitability, eviction procedures, and tenant rights.
M
- Mediation
- A voluntary, confidential dispute resolution process where a neutral third party (mediator) facilitates negotiation between parties — without imposing a decision.
N
- Negligence
- The legal theory that someone failed to exercise reasonable care, causing harm — the basis of most personal injury claims.
- Non-Compete Agreement
- A contract restricting an employee's ability to work for competitors or start a competing business for a defined period and geographic area after leaving a job.
P
- Pro Se
- A Latin term meaning "for oneself" — referring to a party who represents themselves in court without an attorney.
- Pro Bono
- Legal services provided voluntarily and without charge, typically by attorneys fulfilling a professional responsibility to improve access to justice.
- Power of Attorney
- A legal document authorizing one person (the agent) to act on behalf of another (the principal) in legal, financial, or medical matters.
- Plaintiff vs. Defendant
- The plaintiff initiates a civil lawsuit claiming harm; the defendant is the party sued, who must respond and mount a defense.
- Probate
- The court-supervised legal process of validating a deceased person's will and overseeing the distribution of their estate to heirs and creditors.
R
- Retainer
- An upfront payment deposited with an attorney, held in a trust account and drawn down as work is performed at the agreed hourly rate.
S
- Statute of Limitations
- The legal deadline for filing a lawsuit — varies by claim type and state; missing it permanently bars recovery regardless of merit.
- Settlement
- A voluntary resolution of a legal dispute reached by agreement between the parties, typically involving a payment in exchange for releasing all claims.
- Small Claims Court
- A simplified, low-cost court designed for disputes involving small dollar amounts — typically $5,000–$15,000 depending on the state — where parties usually represent themselves.
- Subpoena
- A court-issued legal order compelling a person to testify at a deposition or trial, or to produce documents — failure to comply is punishable as contempt of court.
W
- Wrongful Termination
- Firing an employee for an illegal reason — such as discrimination, retaliation for protected activity, or in breach of an employment contract.
38 terms · Updated April 2026