Business Law: Chapter 3 Vocabulary
Chapter 3, Lesson 1
litigate
To take disputes to court.
mediator
A third party brought into a dispute
to develop a solution acceptable to
both sides of the dispute. The
actions of a mediator are not legally
binding.
arbitrator
A third party, usually hired by
both parties who holds an
informal hearing to determine
what occurred. An arbitrator’s
decision is binding to both
parties and can be enforced
in court if necessary.
trial court
The first court to hear a dispute.
verdict
A decision in a court case.
original
jurisdiction
The original power to decide a case.
appellate
court
A court that reviews decisions
of lower courts when a party
claims an error was made
during the previous
proceeding.
transcript
A verbatim record of what occurred
during a trial.
appellate
briefs
Written arguments on the
issues of law.
affirm
The appellate court upholds (agrees
with) the decision of the lower court.
reverse
The appellate court overturns
the decision of the lower
court
amend
The appellate court changes the
decision of the lower court.
remand
The appellate court sends the
case back to the trial court for
corrective action or possibly a
new trial
Chapter 3, Lesson 2
general
jurisdiction
The authority to hear almost
any kind of case.
writ of
certiorari
An order from the Supreme
Court to the state court to turn
over the record of a case to
the Supreme Court for review.
special
jurisdiction
The authority to hear only one
specific type of case.
Chapter 3, Lesson 3
court of
record
A trial court that keeps an
exact account of what goes on
at the trial.
justice
The title given to judges who sit
on state supreme courts and
the federal Supreme Court.
municipal
courts
City courts that administer
the city’s ordinances.
small claims
courts
Courts that handle disputes in
which small amounts. In
California, these are cases
involving up to $7,500.
juvenile
court
Courts established specifically
to hear cases involving
persons under the age of 18
who have not been charged as
adults
probate
courts
Courts that administer wills and
estates.