Court of Protection: The branch of the High Court with jurisdiction over people mentally incapable of handling their own affairs.

Court Room: The room in which cases are heard.

Damages: See “Compensation”

Defendant: The person who is being sued

District Judge: A judicial officer of the Court whose duties involve hearing applications made within proceedings and final hearings subject to any limit of jurisdiction.

Employers Liability: A claim for personal injury arising from injuries sustained whilst completing employment responsibilities.

Expert Witness: Person employed to give evidence on a subject in which they are qualified or have expertise.

Fast Track: The path that defended claims up to £15,000 in value are allocated to.

High Court: A civil court consisting of three Divisions (1) Queen’s Bench – civil disputes for recovery of money, breach of contract, personal injury claims (2) Family – concerned with matrimonial matters and relating to children and (3) Chancery – property matters including fraud.

Industrial Disease: Injury sustained whilst in the workplace and determined as an industrial disease.

Infant: Also known as a “Minor”. A person under 18 years of age who must be represented by a Litigation Friend as they are unable to act on their own behalf.

Litigation Friend: See “Infant”

Highway Act: The Law which governs road traffic legislation.

Judge: An officer appointed to administer the law who has authority to hear and try cases in a Court of Law.

Judgment: Final decision of a Court – a monetary or other type of Court Order.

Jurisdiction: The area in which the law operates.

Law: The system made up of rules established by act of parliament, custom or practice.

Legal Expense Insurance: Pre-Existing legal expense insurance often purchased or supplied in conjunction with motor or household insurance.

Letter of Claim: One of the mandatory steps within the Personal Injury Protocol – the letter contains all required information to all the Defendant to assess the value and extent of the claim made against him/her.

Limitation: The period of time available to a Claimant to bring an action against a Defendant. In the majority of personal injury cases this will be 3 years.

Minor: See “Infant”

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