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 GLOSSARY OF LEGAL TERMS

TERM DEFINITION/MEANING

Administrative The body of law that governs the activities of administrative agencies of
Law government. Government agency action can include rulemaking, adjudication, or
the enforcement of a specific regulatory agenda. Administrative law is considered a
branch of public law.

Arbitration The settling of disputes (especially labour disputes) between two parties by an
impartial third party, whose decision the contending parties agree to accept. This is
often used to resolve conflict diplomatically to prevent a more serious confrontation.

Chattel An item of property other than freehold land, including tangible goods (chattels
personal) and leasehold interests (chattels real). Property not affixed to real property
is considered chattel property.

Civil Court A court which handles legal disputes that are not crimes.

Common Law Also known as judicial precedent or judge-made law or case law. It is the body of law
developed by judges, courts, and similar tribunals. It is the part of English law that is
derived from custom and judicial precedent rather than statutes.

Constitution A body of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a
state or other organization is acknowledged to be governed.

Contract A written or spoken agreement, especially one concerning employment, sales, or
tenancy, that is intended to be enforceable by law.

Contract Law / The body of law that governs oral and written agreements associated with exchange
Law of Contract of goods and services, money, and properties.

Convention An agreement or compact, particularly an international agreement, such as the
Geneva Convention. It is an accord between states or nations.

Court of Appeal A higher state court to which appeals are made by litigants seeking review of a
decision made in a lower court.

Criminal Law The body of law that relates to crime. It proscribes conduct perceived as threatening,
harmful, or otherwise endangering to the property, health, safety, and moral welfare
of people. Most criminal law is established by statute, which is to say that
the laws are enacted by a legislature.

Criminal Liability The liability that arises out of breaking a law or committing a criminal act.

Damages Compensation for causing loss or injury through negligence or a deliberate act, or a
court's estimate or award of a sum as a fine for breach of a contract or of a statutory
duty.

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