Common Legal Terminology
De Facto -
- Latin, meaning “in fact” or “actually.” Something that exists in fact but not as a matter of law.
De Jure -
- Latin, meaning “in law.” Something that exists by operation of law.
De Novo -
- Latin, meaning “anew.” A trial de novo is a completely new trial. Appellate review de novo implies no deference to the trial judge’s ruling.
Debtor -
- A person who has filed a petition for relief under the Bankruptcy Code.
Debtor’s Plan -
- A debtor’s detailed description of how the debtor proposes to pay creditors’ claims over a fixed period of time.
Declaratory Judgement -
- A judge’s statement about someone’s rights. For example, a plaintiff may seek a declaratory judgment that a particular statute, as written, violates some constitutional right.
Default Judgement -
- A judgment awarding a plaintiff the relief sought in the complaint because the defendant has failed to appear in court or otherwise respond to the complaint.
Defendant -
- An individual (or business) against whom a lawsuit is filed.
Defendant -
- In a civil case, the person or organization against whom the plaintiff brings suit; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
Deposition -
- An oral statement made before an officer authorized by law to administer oaths. Such statements are often taken to examine potential witnesses, to obtain discovery, or to be used later in trial. See discovery.
All terms and definitions on this page are from uscourts.gov/glossary (April 13, 2020)