BIZ LAW CHAPTER 3

Complaint/Petition

A document a plaintiff files with the court and serves on the defendant to initiate a lawsuit.

Negotiation

A procedure whereby the parties to a dispute engage in discussions and bargaining to try to reach a voluntary settlement of their dispute.

Class Action

A situation in which a group of plaintiffs collectively bring a lawsuit against a defendant.

Summons

A summons is a court order directing the defendant to appear in court and answer the complaint.

Federal Arbitration Act

Congress enacted the Federal Arbitration Act to promote the arbitration of disputes

Appellant/Petitioner

Is the appealing party in an appeal.

Answer

Is the defendant's written response to a plaintiff's complaint that is filed with the court and served on the plaintiff.

Appellee/Respondent

Is the responding party in an appeal.

Discovery

Legal process during which each party engages in various activities to discover facts of the case from the other party and witnesses prior to trial.

Defendant

Party who is being sued and must file an answer to the plaintiff's complaint.

Litigation

Process of bringing, maintaining, and defending a lawsuit.

Plaintiff

The party who files a complaint that initiates a lawsuit.

Interrogatories

Written questions submitted by one party to another party. The questions must be answered in writing within a stipulated time.

Physical or Mental Examination

a court-ordered examination of a party to a lawsuit before trial to determine the extent of the alleged injuries

Production of Documents

a request by one party to another party to produce all documents relevant to the case prior to the trial

Arbitration

is a form of alternative dispute resolution in which the parties choose an impartial third party to hear and decide the dispute.

Mediation

is a form of alternative dispute resolution in which the parties use a mediator to propose a settlement of their dispute.

Appeal

is the act of asking an appellate court to overturn a decision after the trial court's final judgment has been entered.

Deposition

oral testimony given by a party or witness prior to trial. The testimony is given under oath and is transcribed.