Legal Jargon

Financial support provided by the government-funded Legal Aid Agency that covers the cost of legal advice and representation under certain qualifying conditions. Legal aid is designed to ensure that everyone has access to legal representation and the court system, regardless of their income or wealth. Different criteria apply to the eligibility for legal aid, depending on the nature of the case and the individual’s personal financial circumstances, except for cases where someone is detailed under section, in which case legal aid is available to anyone.

The process of explaining your witness statement to the Court in person at a court hearing. Normally a witness statement will provide the basis for this although your solicitor or barrister may seek to ask some further questions in order to draw our further information and/or context.

A criminal offence that can be heard in either the Magistrates court or the Crown Court, as decided by the prosecutor. The either-way offence category was introduced to make the judicial system more efficient and includes offences such as theft, burglary, or drugs offences.

A court order banning a person from driving on a road or other public place for a period of time.

The formal process in legal proceedings where parties make available to the other side relevant documents on which their arguments are based, provided they are not protected by privilege, in which case they may not have to be shared.

A person, company or other legal entity defending a court claim that has been commenced against them.

The document served by a Defendant if they do not admit the whole claim against them.

This is when an offender is found guilty but there is no sentence. Instead, they are released and the offence for which they have been found guilty is registered on their criminal record. They may still have to pay compensation, prosecution costs and, if it is a driving offence, be disqualified from driving. No further action is taken unless they commit a further offence within a specified time. If they do reoffend within this time period, they may be resentenced for the original crime, as well as any subsequent offences.

The legal costs charged to you by your legal team for working on your behalf in relation to the claim, together with any expenses in relation to this (see also Disbursements).

A sentence that is served in the community, not in custody.