Legal Glossary

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ABSOLUTE DISCHARGE
The court takes no further action against an offender, but the offender's discharge will appear on his or her criminal record.

ACCUSED
The person charged. The person who has allegedly committed the offence

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF SERVICE
Form of reply to, or confirmation of, service of process

ACQUITTAL
Discharge of defendant following verdict or direction of not guilty

ACT
Law, as an act of parliament

ADJOURNED GENERALLY
Temporary suspension of the hearing of a case by order of the Court (maybe for a short period, e.g. to next day or without a date being given).

ADJUDICATION
Judgment or decision of a Court or tribunal

ADVOCATE
A barrister or solicitor representing a party in a hearing before a Court

AFFIRMATION
Declaration by a witness who has no religious belief, or has religious beliefs that prevent him/her taking the oath, that the evidence he/she is giving is the truth

ANTE
Before - An indication within text to refer to an earlier passage

APPEAL
Application to a higher Court or authority for review of a decision of a lower Court or authority

APPEAL COURT
The higher court to which cases are sent when either the defence or prosecution wish to challenge the result from a Magistrates or Crown Court.

APPELLANT
Person who appeals

ARREST
Lawful detention by a police officer.

ASSISTED PERSON (LEGALLY)
A party to legal proceedings who is receiving legal aid

ATTACHMENT OF EARNINGS
An order that directs an employer of a debtor to deduct regularly an amount, fixed by the Court, from the debtor's earnings and pay that sum into Court

ATTORNEY GENERAL
Government Minister responsible for prosecutions and the Crown Prosecution Service.