What are we talking about: a plain English guide to solicitor-speak
Personal Injury Claims
A list of terms we may use when you instruct us with regard to claiming compensation on your behalf as a result of a accident such as a road traffic accident, slip or trip in a public place or an accident at work.
Acceptance
When an offer is accepted unconditionally a legally binding agreement is created.
Acceptance of service
When a solicitor accepts court proceedings on behalf of a client.
Adjournment
Postponing a court hearing.
Admission
One side in a case agreeing that something the other side has alleged is true.
Applicant
The person asking a court to do something.
Compensation
Money paid to make up for damage, injury or loss caused.
Conditional fee agreement (CFA)
Also known as a no win, no fee agreement. If you lose you will not, in most circumstances, have to pay your solicitor’s fees. You may need to pay any monies the solicitor has paid out on your behalf such as medical report fees.
Consent Order
Court order agreed between both sides.
Contributory negligence
Ones own carelessness contributing to the damage done to you or your property.
Damages
Financial compensation ordered by a court to offset losses or suffering caused by another person’s action or inaction.
Damages based agreements
This is a method of funding a case where the solicitor receives a percentage of the damages they recover if they win your case. For personal injury cases, the amount a solicitor can charge from your damages is capped at 25%.
Defendant
A person who goes to court to defend a claim
General damages
Damages a court will give to compensate for a wrong done.
Issue
The matter to be decided in a court action.
Litigant
A person involved in a lawsuit.
Litigation
Taking legal action through the courts.
Negligence
Carelessness.
Negligent
Lacking proper care to do a duty properly.
Personal injury
An injury caused to a person.
Plaintiff
Now usually known as ‘the claimant’. The person who goes to court to make a claim against someone else.
RTA
A road traffic accident.
Statute of limitations
A statute which sets out the time limits within which a court action must take place.
Sue
To start legal proceedings in the civil court against someone.
Suit
Proceedings brought by one person against another in a civil court.
Summary judgement
Obtaining judgement without a Trial
Tort
Doing something which harms someone else. Torts include wrongs such as:
_ negligence,
_ nuisance,
Vicarious liability
Where someone becomes responsible under the law for wrongs done by someone else.
Make A Free Enquiry
To make a free enquiry please either call us on Southport 01704 532890, Liverpool 0151 928 6544 or complete a Free Online Enquiry and we will soon be in touch.