Page 51 - Expert Witness

motion to dismiss. A request that the court dismiss the case because of settlement, voluntary with-
drawal, or procedural defect.

negotiation. (1) A consensual bargaining process in which the parties attempt to reach agreement on
a disputed or potentially disputed matter. (2) Dealings conducted between two or more parties
for the purpose of reaching an understanding.

network. A group of computers or devices that is connected together for the exchange of data and
sharing of resources. fn 28

notice of trial. A document issued by the court informing the parties of the date on which the law-
suit is set for trial.

opening statement. At the outset of a trial, an advocate’s statement giving the fact finder a preview
of the case and the evidence to be presented.

operating system. A master control program that manages the computer’s internal functions, such
as accepting keyboard input, and that provides a means to control the computer’s operations and
file system.

PAN. A computer network that is designed to serve the needs of an individual rather than a group.
PANs are designed to integrate an individual’s devices, including desktop computers, notebook
computers, personal digital assistants (PDA), and digital cellular phones.

plaintiff. The party who brings a civil suit in a court of law.

plea bargain. A negotiated agreement between a prosecutor and a criminal defendant whereby the
defendant pleads guilty to a lesser offense or to one of multiple charges in exchange for some
concession by the prosecutor, usually a more lenient sentence or a dismissal of the other charges.

pleadings. Formal documents in which a party to a legal proceeding, especially a civil lawsuit, sets
forth or responds to allegations, claims, denials, or defenses.

precedent. See legal precedent.

predatory pricing. (1) Unlawful below-cost pricing intended to eliminate specific competitors and
reduce overall competition. (2) Pricing below an appropriate measure of cost for the purpose of
eliminating competitors in the short run and reducing competition in the long run.

pretrial conference. An informal meeting at which opposing attorneys confer, usually with the
judge, to work toward the disposition of the case by discussing matters of evidence and narrow-
ing the issues that will be tried.

price discrimination. The practice of offering identical or similar good to different buyers at differ-
ent prices when the costs of producing the goods are the same. Price discrimination can violate
antitrust laws if it reduces competition, either directly when a seller charges different prices to

fn 28 Ibid.

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