Definitions

Absolute

A right is said to be absolute when it is free from any condition or qualification. Absolute liability makes a person held liable for his/her action and no defence is available.

Access

A term used in family law and refers to the right of a spouse, which allows to spend time with children on a regular basis.

Adjourn

To postpone the session of a court or any other similar tribunal to another date.

Adjournment

The postponing of the hearing of a case until a later date.

Adjudication

A judgement or decision of a court, tribunal or adjudicator in alternative dispute resolution (ADR) cases where disputes are resolved outside of the court

Admissible

Referring to evidence which can be legally be used in a court.

Adoption

An act by which the rights and duties of the natural parents of a child are extinguished and equivalent rights and duties become vested in the adopter(s).

Advocate

A barrister or solicitor representing a party in a hearing before a Court.

Affidavit

A sworn statement in writing, confirmed on oath by the party who makes it, before someone who is officially entitled to administer oaths.

Alternative dispute resolution

Schemes such as arbitration and mediation which are designed to allow parties to find a resolution to their problem without legal action.

Ancillary relief

Additional claims (e.g. in respect of maintenance) attached to the petition for divorce/judicial separation/nullity.

Annul

To declare no longer valid.

Appeal

Application to a higher court or another body for review of a decision taken by a lower court or tribunal.

Appellant

A person appealing to a higher court or body against a decision made in a lower court or body.

Apportioning

To place or assign.

Arbitration

A process in which both sides agree to use an independent arbitrator (an impartial person) who gives a binding decision in the matter.

Assets

Things that belong to a person or organisation, which are usually of some value.

Assignment

The transfer of property rights (real or personal) to another person through a written agreement. The person, who is the recipient of the rights is called an assignee, and the one who had transferred the rights is called an assignor.

Assured tenancy

A tenancy defined by the Housing Act 1996 where the tenant enjoys security of tenure.

Attachment of earnings order

An order that instructs an employer to deduct a regular amount, fixed by the court, from a debtor's earnings and to pay that money into court. The court pays the money to the person or people to whom it is owed.

Attestation

The act of signing a document as a witness, affirming that the information given in the legal document (will, deed, etc.) is true.

Attorney at law

Attorney at law or attorney-at-law, usually abbreviated in everyday speech to attorney, is the official name for a lawyer in certain jurisdictions, including, Japan, Sri Lanka and the United States.