Legal Dictionary

The postponement of a hearing to a later date.

A written statement of facts, sworn or affirmed by the person making it, for use as evidence.

A direction that a person be released on bail in the event of arrest on an apprehended accusation.

The final decision of an arbitral tribunal, binding on the parties in place of a court judgment.

A contractual clause by which parties agree to refer future disputes to arbitration.

The tax authority's formal determination of a taxpayer's income/tax liability for a period.

"Hear the other side" — the principle that no one should be condemned unheard.

The failure, without lawful excuse, to perform an obligation under a valid contract.

The obligation on a party to prove a fact in issue.

The bundle of facts that gives a person the right to sue.

A notice filed to ensure the caveator is heard before any order is passed against their interest.

An official copy of a court document, authenticated by the court as a true copy of the original.

The police report submitted to the magistrate on completion of investigation, recommending prosecution.

Fraudulently or dishonestly inducing a person to deliver property or to do or omit an act, causing harm.

The legal right and responsibility to care for and make decisions concerning a minor child.

An offence for which police may arrest without a warrant and start investigation without a magistrate's order.

A dispute of a commercial nature above a specified value, triable by a designated Commercial Court.

A complaint filed before a consumer forum alleging deficiency in service, unfair trade practice, or defective goods.

The unauthorized use of a work in which copyright subsists, in a manner reserved to the copyright owner.

The statutory fee, usually paid via stamp, required to institute or file a proceeding in an Indian court.

A direction issued by a court during the course of proceedings, short of a final judgment or decree.

An agreement between two or more persons to commit an illegal act, or a legal act by illegal means.

The questioning of a witness by the opposing party, typically to test or contradict their testimony.

Causing death by an act done with the intention or knowledge that it is likely to cause death.

The formal expression of a court's final adjudication conclusively determining the rights of the parties.

Making or publishing an imputation about a person intending to harm their reputation.

Any fault, imperfection, or shortcoming in the quality of service a person was contractually or legally required to maintain.

A right enjoyed by the owner of one piece of land over another's land, such as a right of way.

A proceeding or order made in the absence of one party.

The initial questioning of a witness by the party who called them.

The numbered list of every document in a filing, in the order they are to be read and bound.

The first recorded information given to police about the commission of a cognizable offence.

The basic rights guaranteed to individuals by Part III of the Constitution of India.

A statutory lump-sum payment made by an employer to an employee on termination after a qualifying period of continuous service.

A statement made out of court, offered to prove the truth of what it asserts, generally inadmissible.

A dispute connected with employment or the terms of employment between employers and workmen, or among workmen.

Credit for GST paid on inputs, available to be set off against GST payable on outputs.

An application seeking interim relief or a procedural order within a pending suit.

Temporary relief granted by a court to preserve the status quo until the case is finally decided.

A court's final statement of the grounds for its decision on the matters in issue, ordinarily followed by a decree.

The power of courts to examine the constitutionality or legality of legislative and executive action.

A chronological table of the key dates and events leading up to a filing.

The legal right of a party to bring a matter before a court.

Financial support one person is legally obligated to provide to a spouse, child, or dependent parent.

The formal list of every party to a proceeding, with their full names, descriptions, and addresses.

The foundational charter document defining a company's objects and scope of activity.

"A guilty mind" — the mental element required for criminal liability.

The transfer of an interest in immovable property to secure repayment of money advanced.

Conduct in a company's affairs that is prejudicial or oppressive to members, or contrary to public interest.

An exclusive right granted for a new and useful invention involving an inventive step.

The written statement of claim by which a civil suit is instituted.

Litigation brought to vindicate the public interest, often by a person not personally affected.

"A matter already judged" — a rule barring re-litigation of an issue already finally decided.

A remedy compelling a spouse who has withdrawn from the other's society, without reasonable cause, to return.

The termination of a workman's employment by the employer for reasons other than punishment.

The legal jurisdiction whose arbitration law governs the arbitral proceedings.

A notice requiring a person to explain why a proposed adverse action should not be taken against them.

A court-ordered remedy compelling a party to actually perform their contractual obligation.

A brief, self-contained summary of a case's facts and prayer, filed at the start of a filing bundle.

A legal document evidencing ownership of immovable property.

A mark capable of distinguishing one person's goods or services from those of others.

"Where there is a right, there is a remedy."

A trade practice adopting unfair or deceptive methods to promote the sale of goods or services.

The formal document by which a client authorizes an advocate to represent them.

The legal process of bringing a company's existence to an end and distributing its assets.

A petition invoking a constitutional court's power to issue prerogative writs for enforcement of rights.

The defendant's formal written reply to the plaint.