MINI LAW DICTIONARY- JAYNNORALEGAL

Appeal. A matter taken to a higher court from a lower court with the aim of having the higher court rectify the decision of the lower court on the matter.

Cause List.  A book maintained by the court containing a list of cases before the court.

Cost. A sum of money awarded against a party in the law court for being the cause of loss incurred or suffered by the other party.

Cross Petition. This is when a party against whom a petition is filed brings his own petition in the same case.

Discharged and Acquitted. This is when a court of law declares a person charged with a crime free from the alleged crime.

Evidence. This is the means of proving or disproving a fact. 

Jurisdiction. The power a court has to hear a matter/case brought before it.

Judgment. The final decision of a court in a matter.

Legislature. This the one of the arms of the government with the constitutional responsibility to make laws. 

Matter. A dispute or question taken to a court for the court to decide on it. Also called- a case, an action, a proceeding, a suit.

Nullity. Something that is void or that has no effect.

Overrule. An order of a higher court rejecting the decision of a lower court on a case. 

Plea. This is a way of responding to an allegation of crime(criminal case) or a claim(civil case).

Plead. To make a plea.

Possession. The right one has to hold and use a thing.

Special Court. This is the court set up by Law to hear a specific kind of issue/dispute. 

Statutory Requirement. The steps set out by the law to be taken in a particular situation.

Strike out. An order of court removing a case from the book of cases/cause list of the court.

Supreme Court. The highest court in Nigeria. Its decision or judgment is final.

Tenancy. The period of being in possession of a property.

Tittle. The ownership right a person has over a property.

Ultra vires. An act done beyond the power conferred by the law.