Legal Terms

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Writ of certiorari

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A legal document that asks a higher court to review a lower court's decision.

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petitioner

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the party who begins a legal action

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Respondent

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The party against whom a petition is filed, especially in an appeal or a divorce case.

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Amicus Curiae

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A person or organization that is not a party to a legal case but offers information or expertise relevant to the case.

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Stare Decisis

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The legal principle of determining points in litigation according to precedent.

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Majority Opinion

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a judicial opinion that is supported by more than half of the judges in a court case.

It explains the court's decision and the reasoning behind it. 

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Concurring Opinion

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A written opinion by one or more judges of a court which agrees with the decision made by the majority of the court, but states different (or additional) reasons as the basis for their decision.

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Dissenting Opinion

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An opinion in a legal case written by one or more judges expressing disagreement with the majority opinion of the court which gives rise to its judgment.

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Precedent

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A legal decision or form of proceeding serving as an authoritative rule or pattern in future similar or analogous cases.

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legal brief

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a written document that presents a party's legal and factual arguments to a court. It's a crucial document that helps convince the judge to rule in favor of the client.