Legal Terms and Definitions

Glossary of Legal Terms

Privileged communications Confidential communications to certain persons that are protected by law against any disclosure, including forced disclosure in legal proceedings. Communications between lawyer and client, physician and patient, psychotherapist and patient, priest, minister or rabbi and penitent are typically privileged. Appellate court A court that hears appeals from a lower court Estoppel A person's own act, or acceptance of facts, which preclude later claims to the contrary. Estate A collective term meaning all real and personal property owned by a person. Double jeopardy Common law and constitutional prohibition (5th Amendment) against more than one prosecution for the same crime Chambers A judge's private office in the courthouse. Cross-examination The questioning of a witness by the lawyer for the opposing side. This may be done by leading questions, questions that suggest the answer. Dissent A term commonly used to denote the disagreement of one or more judges of a court of appeals with the decision of the majorityA term commonly used to denote the disagreement of one or more judges of a court of appeals with the decision of the majority

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	Did You Know?
	The mediation process may vary depending on the mediator. Generally, mediations commence with a general session with all parties, counsel and the mediator. At the general session, there will be a discussion of the case, the issues on appeal and other matters important to settlement. Then the mediator will meet separately with each party and their counsel in separate "caucuses." In these separate sessions, the mediator will seek to foster negotiations between the parties and develop agreement.