Glossary
Due process The concept that laws and legal proceedings must be fair.
Franchise A business relationship in which an owner (the franchisor) licenses others (the franchisees) to operate outlets. FTSE The Financial Times Stock Exchange (FTSE). The FTSE 100 is an index of the top 100 companies in the country, based on share value and turnover. GDL Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL), a conversion course for non-law students. See also ‘CPE’. GLS The Government Legal Service provides legal services across the spectrum of the government’s activities. Employs solicitors and barristers.
ECHR The European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) 1950 protects human rights within the member states of the Council of Europe; the ECHR is an international judicial body responsible for upholding the convention.
Encumbrance Any claim or restriction on a property’s title.
Equity partner A partner at a firm who owns a share of the business (and is liable for its failures). Equivalent means Introduced in 2014 by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, this allows anyone to apply to qualify as a solicitor provided that (i) their skills and legal work experience are equivalent to that which a qualifying solicitor would’ve attained following a training contract, and (ii) they’ve completed the Legal Practice Course. The Solicitors Regulation Authority has transitional arrangements in place for this qualification route following the introduction of the Solicitors Qualifying Examination. Escrow Money or documents, such as a deed or title, held by a third party until the conditions of an agreement are met.
Good faith To act honestly and without deception.
Human Rights Act 1998 Statute that requires public authorities to act in a way that’s compatible with the rights guaranteed by the ECHR. It requires the courts to read and give effect to primary legislation in a way that’s compatible with the convention rights.
Hung jury A jury that’s unable to reach a verdict.
In camera Latin for ‘in chambers’. Refers to a hearing or inspection of documents that takes place in private, often in a judge’s chambers. In-house Refers to a lawyer who works within a company (not a law firm) as a salaried employee. Inns of Court Collective name for the four legal societies in London that have the exclusive right of admission to the Bar. Interlocutory order Temporary order issued during the course of litigation. Typically cannot be appealed because it’s not final.
Estate All the property that a person owns.
Evidence The various testimony and documents presented in court to prove an alleged fact. Ex parte Latin term meaning ‘by or for one party’. Refers to situations in which only one party appears before a judge.
Executor Person named in a will to oversee and manage an estate.
Intestate To die without a will.
Expert witness A witness with a specialised knowledge of a subject who can discuss an event in court even though they weren’t present. Fee earner A lawyer at a firm for whose time the firm charges. First six The first six months of pupillage. During this stage the pupil will train under a barrister but won’t have rights of audience. Force majeure When parties to a commercial agreement are excused from performance of the contract due to events that are beyond their control.
IPO Initial public offering is the first sale of stock by a listed company to the public. Jackson reforms Civil costs reforms recommended in a report by Lord Justice Jackson that came into force on 1 April 2013. See also ‘LASPO’. Judgment A court’s official decision on the matter before it.
Jurisdiction A court’s authority to hear a dispute.
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