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Legal Term Glossary

General Legal Terms

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Glossaries

Term Main definition
Injunctive relief

A court order to stop doing a particular act.

Synonyms - Injunction
Insolvency

Inability or lack of means to pay debts.

Judge

The public officer authorized to preside over, hear and determine cases in a court of law.

Judge Pro Tempore

A person assigned to perform the duties of a judge on a temporary basis.

Judgment

The official decision by a court regarding the rights and claims of the person to a civil or criminal lawsuit.

Judicial Performance Review

The process, as required by the Arizona Constitution, to periodically review the performance of judges appointed by the governor.

Jurisdiction

The court that is in charge depending on the geographic area, type of case, or amount of money involved.

Jury Commissioner

Court officer who ensures that potential jurors are available to serve when needed by the courts.

Jury Foreman

The presiding member of the grand or petit jury, chosen by the members, who speaks or answers for the jury.

Justice Court

A lower, limited jurisdiction court. In justice courts, the judges are elected officials called Justices of the Peace.

Synonyms - justice
Juvenile

Any person under 18 years of age.

Law

Provision that regulates the conduct of society, primarily generated by the legislative branch of government.

Limited Jurisdiction Court

A court that may hear and decide limited types of cases. In Arizona, these are the justice and municipal courts.

Litigant

A person or persons involved in a lawsuit.

Litigation

A judicial contest that seeks a decision from the court.

Magistrate

Often used to refer to a municipal court judge, but A.R.S. 1-215 provides a broad definition that includes all judicial officers with power to issue a warrant for arrest: includes a Supreme Court justice and judges of the superior, justice and municipal courts.

Mandamus

Also known as a writ of mandamus is an order of a court to an inferior government agency, official, or corporation, for the person or entity to perform or correct  or abstain from an act that is required by law.

Synonyms - Writ of Mandamus
Material Breach

A material breach of a contract is a significant violation of an agreement which can result in the complete termination of the agreement and the ability for the wronged party to sue for damages.

Mechanic's Lien

A specific legal tool used to recover payment for labor or services that were performed at a building or a construction site that have not been paid. A person who was not paid for their services would seek a judgement for a mechanic’s lien and if granted the lien would be attached to the property to be paid when the property was sold.

Synonyms - Mechanics Lien
Merit Selection

A system for a judicial nomination commission to recommend candidates for judicial appointments to the governor.

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