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Glossary

indictable offence
A case that has to be heard before a Judge and a jury in either the High Court or the District Court. Indictable offences are very serious for example, rape, murder, arson, and supply of Class A drugs. They are likely to be punished more severely.
indictment
A written statement of one or more charges that's presented when the defendant appears in the High or District Court. There are only indictments for trials by jury.
informant
A person who gives the court information and who affirms or swears it's true under oath.
information
A sworn document that commences a criminal prosecution, containing details of the offence.
initial conference
A conference with a Judge, which is attended by parties and/or their lawyers to discuss whether a matter is ready to proceed to a hearing.
interim order
A court order that lasts for a limited period or until a further or final order is made.
interlocutory application
An application for a temporary order or for a court order or direction relating to a matter of procedure.
intestate
When someone dies without having made a valid will.

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Judge's list
A list of cases to be heard by a Judge on a given day.
judgment
The order of the court in relation to an application. It also refers to the reasons the Judge gives for the judgment.
judicial conference
A hearing before a Judge to discuss the issues of a case and what needs to be done to bring the case to resolution.
judicial/judiciary
  • A system of courts of law.
  • The Judges of these courts.
jurisdiction
The authority that a particular court has to deal with matters brought before it.
jury
A group of people who promise to sit through a trial, listen to the evidence, and decide whether someone committed a crime.
Justice of the Peace (JP)
A person appointed by the Governor General, who can witness signatures on documents, take oaths and affirmations, and issue warrants. They also usually preside over deposition hearings, and some JPs sit in court and determine minor traffic cases.

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leave of the court
Permission given by the court to do something.
legal aid
Financial assistance to enable people who cannot afford to be represented by a lawyer in court proceedings. The Legal Services Agency decides whether a person is entitled to legal aid.