Plain-English definitions for legal terms

A revised complaint that changes, adds, or clarifies allegations, parties, or claims after the original complaint was filed.

The defendant's formal written response to the plaintiff's complaint, admitting or denying each allegation.

The judicial decision to allow a lawsuit to proceed as a class action on behalf of similarly-situated plaintiffs.

Also called issue preclusion. The doctrine that prevents re-litigating a specific issue that was actually decided in a prior case.

The initial pleading filed by the plaintiff that starts a civil lawsuit.

Combining related cases for coordinated management, discovery, hearings, or trial.

A claim brought by a defendant against the plaintiff within the same lawsuit.

A claim by one party against a co-party, such as one defendant suing another defendant in the same case.

A clerk or court entry showing that a party failed to plead, defend, or otherwise respond as required.

A judgment entered against a party that failed to respond or defend after proper notice.

A pleading (in some state systems) asserting that the opposing party's pleading is legally insufficient even if its factual allegations are true.

Testimony given under oath outside of court, typically transcribed by a court reporter, used in discovery.

The pre-trial phase in which each party can obtain evidence, documents, and testimony from the other side.

A dismissal that ends the claim permanently and generally prevents the same claim from being filed again.

A dismissal that ends the current case or claim but may allow it to be filed again later.

Federal court power over certain state-law disputes between citizens of different states when the amount in controversy is high enough.

Federal court power over cases that arise under the U.S. Constitution, federal statutes, or treaties.

Written discovery questions that one party sends to another party and that must be answered under oath.

A procedure allowing a nonparty to join an existing lawsuit because the case may affect its interests.

The procedural rules for adding claims or parties to a lawsuit so related disputes can be handled together.

A request for judgment based only on the pleadings after the complaint and answer are closed.

A request asking the court to order another party to provide discovery it has withheld or answered inadequately.

A defendant's request that the court throw out the lawsuit before reaching the evidence, on the ground that the complaint fails as a matter of law.

A court's authority to make decisions binding on a particular defendant, based on the defendant's contacts with the forum state.

A court conference used to manage issues before trial, set deadlines, narrow disputes, or prepare the case for trial.

A court order limiting discovery or controlling how confidential information may be used and shared.

The procedure that lets a defendant move a qualifying state-court case into federal court.

A discovery request asking another party to admit or deny specific facts, document authenticity, or legal applications.

A discovery request seeking documents, electronically stored information, tangible things, or inspection access.

Penalties imposed by a court for misconduct, rule violations, discovery abuse, or frivolous filings.

A court order setting the calendar for discovery, motions, expert disclosures, pretrial filings, and trial-related deadlines.

Formal delivery of a summons and complaint so a defendant receives legally recognized notice of a lawsuit.

Separating claims or parties into different proceedings to avoid unfairness, confusion, or inefficiency.

A deadline for filing a lawsuit or charge, usually measured from injury, discovery, breach, or another triggering event.

A court's authority to hear a particular type of case. Federal courts have limited subject-matter jurisdiction.

A formal court-issued order requiring a person to appear, testify, or produce documents.

A pre-trial decision that the case can be resolved as a matter of law because there is no genuine dispute of material fact.

A court-issued document notifying a defendant that a lawsuit has been filed and that a response is required.

A federal court’s ability to hear related state-law claims that form part of the same case or controversy as a federal claim.

A pleading that brings a nonparty into the case because that nonparty may owe all or part of the defendant’s liability.

Moving a case from one federal district to another for convenience, fairness, or because the original venue was improper.

The rule deciding which geographic federal district is the proper place for a lawsuit.

A plaintiff’s dismissal of its own claims, either automatically early in the case or later by stipulation or court order.