LJHSCE key terms

A court-ordered claim attached to a debtor's property after a lawsuit is won, allowing the creditor to enforce payment through seizure or sale of that property.

A court document directing an enforcement officer to carry out a judgment, typically by taking and selling the debtor's property to satisfy the amount owed.

A legal procedure in which a creditor collects a debt by directing a third party holding the debtor's money or wages to pay it over to the court.

The act of an enforcement officer seizing property under legal authority, converting the debtor's asset into one available for sale or payment.

A public auction of seized property conducted under court authority to raise money that pays the judgment creditor from the proceeds.

A law setting the maximum time after an event within which a legal claim must be filed, after which the claim is generally barred.

A temporary suspension of the running of a deadline, so that time already counted stops accruing until the suspending condition ends.

The set of facts and legal grounds that gives a person the right to sue another and defines what must be proven at trial.

A formal written statement filed with the court setting out a party's claims or defenses and the facts supporting them.

The formal delivery of legal papers to a party in a case in a manner the rules permit, giving notice and starting response deadlines.

A decision entered for one party when the opposing party fails to appear or respond within the required time after proper notice.

A ruling decided on the written record before trial when no genuine dispute of material fact exists and one party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.

A fact that could affect the outcome of a case, making it significant enough that a dispute over it prevents summary judgment.

The obligation of a party to produce enough evidence to persuade the decision-maker that a disputed fact is true to the required standard.

The standard requiring a party to show that its version of the facts is more likely true than not, generally used in civil cases.

The pretrial phase in which parties exchange information, documents, and testimony relevant to the case under the rules of procedure.

A written question served on another party in a lawsuit that must be answered in writing under oath within a set time.

Sworn out-of-court testimony given by a witness in response to questions, recorded for later use at trial or in settlement discussions.

A court order compelling a person to appear at a proceeding, produce documents, or both, often issued during discovery or trial.

A legal protection that allows a person to refuse to disclose certain confidential communications or testimony, such as attorney-client exchanges.

The principle that a final judgment on the merits bars the same parties from litigating the same claim again in a later case.

A rule preventing a party from relitigating an issue that was actually decided against it in an earlier proceeding, even in a different case.

A request to a higher court to review and correct an alleged error made by a lower court in its proceedings or judgment.

The level of deference an appellate court gives to a lower court's decision, ranging from deferential review of facts to strict review of legal questions.

A court's legal authority to hear a particular type of case, such as family, criminal, or small-claims matters, regardless of the parties involved.

A court's authority over a specific person or business, usually based on residence, presence, or sufficient contacts with the court's territory.

The geographic location or specific court within a system where a case should be filed, generally tied to where events occurred or parties reside.

The requirement that a person bringing a case has a real, direct stake in the outcome, such as a concrete injury caused by the challenged conduct.

A legally enforceable agreement between two or more parties that creates rights and duties, typically requiring offer, acceptance, and consideration.

Something of value exchanged between parties to a contract, such as money, services, or a promise, that makes the agreement enforceable.

The two-step process forming a contract: one party proposes definite terms, and the other agrees to those terms without changing them.

A response to an offer that changes its terms, which operates as a rejection of the original offer and a new proposal in its place.

Failure to perform a duty promised in a binding agreement without a legal excuse, giving the other party a right to seek a remedy.

Money a court awards to compensate a party for loss caused by another's wrongful act or breach, aiming to restore the injured position.

The duty of an injured party to take reasonable steps to limit losses after a breach or wrong, which can reduce recoverable damages.

Failure to exercise the care a reasonable person would use in similar circumstances, causing harm that could have been avoided.

The legal obligation to act with reasonable caution toward others who could foreseeably be harmed by one's conduct or omissions.

A cause closely enough connected to an injury that the law treats the harm as foreseeable and holds the actor responsible for it.