Legal Jargon

Any party in a non-criminal court case, for example the applicant, claimant, respondent and defendant.

A document setting out the rights and obligations of the landlord and tenant (lessor and lessee) in the leasehold arrangements.

A remedy granted by the Court during proceedings, that remains in effect (normally) until a final hearing. An interim order may be awarded, for example, to preserve property or assets until the claim is resolved, or to protect an individual while their care is being considered.

The fee payable to the court at the start of the case.

Usually (but not necessarily) the freeholder of a property and the person entitled to receive the ground rent from the lessee or tenant.

Where a lender lends money, such as a mortgage loan, that has to be repaid at some point to a buyer or existing owner and a document is signed by all parties to the arrangement to confirm this. Legal charges are registered against the property at the Land Registry secure the repayment to the lender so that, for example, if the borrower defaulted on their loan repayments or died without having repaid the loan, the lender could recover the value of the loan against the value of the property when it was sold.

The process following disclosure where the actual documents disclosed by the other party in a case/claim are considered and reviewed.

An Order made by the Court either to restrain a party from pursuing a particular course of action or alternatively an Order to force a party to take a particular action.

A form of guarantee where one party agrees to compensate another party for any specific loss or damage caused by the first party’s action (or failure to act).

Someone appointed to advise the court about a matter requiring specific expertise, such as medical, engineering or valuation evidence. Expert witnesses can be appointed by one party or jointly by both parties.