Page 35 - Civil Litigation

protective order. See confidentiality order.

proximate cause. A cause that directly produces an event and without which the event would not
have occurred. See causation.

rebuttal. The contradiction of an adverse party's evidence.

recross examination. A second cross-examination after redirect examination.

redirect examination. A second direct examination after cross-examination in which the scope or-
dinarily is limited to matters covered during cross-examination.

referee. A type of master appointed by a court to assist with certain proceedings.

requests for admission. In pretrial discovery, a party's written factual statement served on another
party who must admit, deny, or object to the substance of the statement.

requests for production. In pretrial discovery, a party's written request that another party provide
specified documents or other tangible things for inspection and copying.

response. See answer.

ruling. The outcome of the court's decision, either on some point of law or on the case as a whole.

scheduling or calendaring (order). See calendaring (order).

sequestration. Custodial isolation of a trial jury to prevent tampering and exposure to publicity, or
of witnesses to prevent them from hearing the testimony of others.

service. The formal delivery of a writ, summons, or other legal process.

settlement. An agreement ending a dispute or lawsuit.

settlement conference. A meeting by disputing parties in litigation for reaching an agreement to end
a dispute or lawsuit. See pretrial conference.

special master. A parajudicial officer (such as a referee, an auditor, an examiner, or an assessor)
specially appointed to help a court with its proceedings.

spoliation. The intentional destruction, mutilation, alteration, or concealment of evidence, usually a
document.

standard of proof. The degree or level of proof demanded in a specific case, such as "beyond a rea-
sonable doubt" or "by preponderance of the evidence."

stipulations. A voluntary agreement between opposing parties concerning some relevant point.

subpoena. A writ commanding a person to appear before a court or other tribunal subject to a penal-
ty for failing to comply.

subpoena duces tecum. A subpoena ordering the witness to appear and to bring specified docu-
ments, records, or things.

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