Legal Jargon

The Court process that determines, as far as is possible, a deceased person’s identity and the circumstances of their death. An inquest is not a mechanism for apportioning responsibility or blame for the death, but it can be a useful evidence gathering opportunity to support a successful medical negligence claim.

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

Financial Dispute Resolution hearing is a private court hearing aimed to settle disputes over finances

The process by which one party can bring an application to the court to make the other party comply with the terms of the order. The court may impose penalties on the non-compliant party and in some situations can change the terms of the order to meet the intentions of the original order.

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.

The person or persons appointed in a will to deal with the administration of a deceased person’s estate. This could involve dealing with the deceased’s bank account, selling properties and distributing money to the beneficiaries named in the will.

Better know as ‘punitive damages’ which are assessed to punish a defendant for their conduct, in excess of a parties loss. Exemplary damages are awarded in specific and limited circumstances.

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.

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

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