This glossary introduces common terms used in U.S. courts, with a focus on federal civil-case vocabulary. Use it to understand a document’s role and prepare better questions. For an actual case, the document, court rules, jurisdiction, and applicable law determine what you must do and when.
Start with the people, papers, and decisions
The explanations below paraphrase the U.S. Courts glossary. They are orientation, not a determination of anyone's legal rights or filing obligations.
| Term | Plain-language meaning | Reading clue |
|---|---|---|
| Plaintiff | The party bringing a civil lawsuit. | Look at the case caption to identify the parties. |
| Defendant | The party sued in a civil case; also the person accused in a criminal case. | Check whether the matter is civil or criminal. |
| Complaint | A document setting out the plaintiff's allegations and basis for relief in a civil case. | Allegations state a party's position. |
| Answer | The defendant's formal response to a complaint. | Read which allegations are addressed. |
| Motion | A request asking a court to take an action or make a ruling. | Identify who is asking for what. |
| Order | A court's direction or ruling. | Look for the court's actual instructions. |
| Judgment | A court decision resolving rights or claims. | Read the precise scope and any accompanying order. |
| Docket | The chronological record of filings and other case activity. | Match an entry to the actual document. |
| Jurisdiction | A court's legal authority to hear and decide a matter. | Identify the court and type of dispute. |
| Venue | The geographic place where a case is heard. | Distinguish location from authority. |
| Summons | A notice to a defendant that a lawsuit has been filed and a response is required. | Read the accompanying documents and response instructions. |
| Subpoena | A command to testify or produce specified material. | Check who must do what, where, and when. |
| Discovery | The process through which parties seek relevant information before trial. | Identify the particular request or procedure. |
| Deposition | Sworn testimony taken outside court. | Check the notice and applicable procedure. |
| Affidavit | A written statement confirmed under oath. | Identify the person making the statement. |
| Appeal | A request for review of a lower court's decision. | Identify the decision and reviewing court. |
Distinguish a request from a court decision
A document's title gives a starting point. Its case number, issuing court, signature or filing information, and operative paragraphs supply the context. Save the complete document and any attachments together so a later reader can understand what you were looking at.
Read a civil case as a sequence
The U.S. Courts introduction to civil cases describes the path from a complaint through possible responses, information gathering, and resolution. Individual cases can follow different routes. Settlement, dismissal, trial, and appeal each raise their own questions.
Make a small reading record: court and case number; document title and date; person or party addressed; action requested or ordered; dates stated; and questions that remain. Separate what the document explicitly says from your interpretation of it.
When a word remains unclear, search the issuing court's official site for its glossary, local rules, forms, or self-help information. Check that the resource applies to your court and type of case. A state-court form or another district's instruction can use familiar words while imposing different requirements.
Turn uncertainty into a specific question
“Does this paragraph require a response from me, and which rule sets the deadline?” is more useful than “What does this paper mean?” Bring the complete document and case details when seeking qualified legal help. If a date is approaching, seek help promptly; looking up a definition does not change a deadline.
Use this glossary for orientation and vocabulary. Ask a qualified lawyer about legal strategy, rights, and the effect of a document in your circumstances.