Claim Form Court form used to commence

legal proceedings in court.

Class Action A legal action commenced in

the name of one or a few named Claimants on

behalf of a class of Claimants.

Client Term used by lawyers to refer to their

‘customers’.

Common Law Legal rules and principles

founded on court decisions as opposed to

statutes or similar written laws or regulations.

Conference with Counsel Meeting between a barrister and a client (usually in the presence of a solicitor).

Contempt of Court Refusal or failure to comply with a court order or requirement. Contingency Conviction a decision by a court of law that someone is guilty of a crime

Fees Fees charged by a lawyer

for legal work which are based on a percentage of the damages recovered on behalf of that client. (Generally only permissible in the USA albeit contingency fees can be charged in Employment

Tribunal cases in the UK.)

Contract A legally enforceable agreement.

Contributory Negligence Degree to which a

Claimant is deemed to have contributed to or

caused the accident or degree of injury for

which damages are being claimed. (Damages

can be reduced to reflect this degree of contributory negligence.)

Conviction A finding by a court or tribunal

that an individual is guilty of the offence

charged. (That person is then said to have been ‘convicted’ of the offence charged–e.g. theft.)

Corroboration Evidence from an independent source which substantiates a party’s version of events.

Costs Term used to refer to legal costs or expenses of legal work conducted by lawyers on behalf of clients.

Counsel Term used to refer to a barrister.

(Barristers awarded the distinction of being

known as ‘Queen’s Counsel’ are known as

‘senior counsel’; also a term in the US for an

attorney.)

Counsel’s Opinion Legal advice proposed by a barrister.

Counterclaim A claim by a Defendant in

legal proceedings who in turn alleges that he

has a legal claim against the Claimant.

County Court Civil court which usually deals with lower value civil cases.

Court List List or schedule prepared by a

court which provides details of the date and

time that each trial or hearing is scheduled for.