Adjournment – A pause or break in court proceedings.

Advocacy - The act of pleading for, supporting, or recommending.

Barrister – A type of lawyer who has been “called to the Bar”. “The Bar” is in reference to a right of audience conferred through membership of one of the Inns of Court - Lincoln’s, Inner, Middle and Gray’s. A Barrister will have either trained as a solicitor or completed a qualifying law degree and Bar course before his or her call. Their training focuses on advocacy, litigation, case presentation and legal research.

Case file – A collection of documents and notes relating to your case.

Case law – Judgements from previous cases are recorded so that they can be used in argument, negotiation and decisions.

Disbursements –Money paid out; Expenses.

Factors – When coming to a decision a court will often have to balance many competing interests. Legal codes set down which factors are relevant to that particular decision.

In issue – A matter in issue is something that is disputed between the legal parties. The claimant and defendant will seek to prove to the court that their contention is adjudged correct.

Insured – A regulated professional providing legal advice has mandatory insurance cover. You are entitled to rely on them such that if things go wrong and they are to blame – you can sue them for losses.

Litigant in person – A litigant in person is someone who brings their case to court without legal representation – i.e. a solicitor or barrister.

Litigation – Litigation is a legal dispute between parties argued in a court.

Non-practising – any barrister other than (a) a Barrister in independent practice or (b) an Employed Barrister or (c) a registered European lawyer or (d) a person carrying out full-time judicial functions or (e) a Barrister practising as a Solicitor.

Plea-bargaining – The prosecution and defence in a criminal trial agreeing a basis upon which the defendant admits his guilt.

Powers – The law gives courts, in particular circumstances, certain powers to make and enforce court orders or decisions. Some powers are created by statute, others by case law. Courts can only act within their powers.

Practising – Any barrister who is (a) a Barrister in independent practice or (b) an Employed Barrister or (c) a registered European lawyer or (d) a person carrying out full-time judicial functions or (e) a Barrister practising as a Solicitor.

Regulated – Barristers are regulated by the Bar Council and Solicitors by the Law Society. They set and enforce standards for these lawyers.

Rights – An entitlement for which remedy or recourse is due if the entitlement is unavailable or denied.

Statute – An Act of Parliament such as the Family Law Act 1996 or the Human Rights Act 1998 which sets out rights of individuals and powers and duties of the court in particular circumstances.

Solicitor – A type of lawyer that Law Society permits to provide legal advice and representation. Training involves both an academic and practical stage.

Terms and Conditions.

Can’t Afford a Lawyer is the trading name of Share Bright Ltd. Can't Afford a Lawyer provide general information based on English law the English legal system and the availability of legal services.
The information and services provided by Can’t Afford a Lawyer and its representatives are for educational purposes only and do not constitute legal or professional advice. The information and services provided by Can’t Afford a Lawyer and its representatives shall not be relied upon by any person as a substitute for professional advice. Any person who chooses to rely on the information and services provided by Can’t Afford a Lawyer and its representatives shall do so at their own risk.
Can’t Afford a Lawyer and its representatives make every reasonable attempt to check the accuracy of the information provided. The information and services provided by Can’t Afford a Lawyer and its representatives reflects the circumstances prevailing at the date of provision and shall not be updated to reflect events occurring after the date of provision.
To the fullest extent permitted by law, no responsibility is accepted by or on behalf of Can’t Afford a Lawyer (or its representatives) for any error, omission, or misleading statement on this website or on any website to which its pages connect.
Any reference to any organisation, company or individual, whether on this website or on websites to which this website is linked, does not imply any approval or warranty as to the standing or capability of any organisation, company or individual on the part of Can’t Afford a Lawyer and its representatives.
Can’t Afford a Lawyer and its representatives will accept no responsibility or liability for any loss or damage, howsoever arising, from the use of, or reliance on any information or services provided by Can’t Afford a Lawyer or its representatives.
No warranty or representation, express or implied, is made as to the completeness of any information or services provided by Can’t Afford a Lawyer or its representatives.
All personal data (as such term is defined by Data Protection Act 1998) held by Can’t Afford a Lawyer and/or its representatives will not be forwarded to any third party without the express permission of that person.
Can't Afford a Lawyer maintain the rights to all written information provided by Can't Afford a Lawyer or its representatives.

Many of our services are free, but if you choose to pay for further assistance we accept all major cards.

Get Free Help with Your Legal Problem

Newsletter