Basic Paralegal Terminology 2023/2024

Paralegal - ANSWER-Also used interchangeably with the term "legal assistant" for a professional who is qualified through education, training or work experience, to assist attorneys in the delivery of a broad range of legal services. Statutes - ANSWER-Legislative acts passed by either federal legislature (Congress) or state legislatures Ordinances - ANSWER-Rules passed by local legislative bodies Constitutions - ANSWER-Deal with broad principles that pertain to issues of governmental organizations, powers, and basic human rights U.S Constitution - ANSWER-Is made up of 27 Amendments Bill of Rights - ANSWER-The first 10 Amendments of the U.S Constitution Administrative Regulations - ANSWER-Rules that come from administrative agencies Treaties - ANSWER-Signed by the President and has to be ratified by 2/3 of the Senate Executive Orders - ANSWER-Orders passed by the President without the need of legislative approval Case Law - ANSWER-The body of all court decisions; the rulings of the highest courts have the greatest weight Precedent - ANSWER-A legal decision that will serve as an authoritative rule or pattern in the future for similar cases. Mandatory Precedent - ANSWER-When the ruling of a higher court must be followed by the present court. Persuasive Precedent - ANSWER-Precedent that is not mandatory but is useful or relevant in making the decision in a current case Stare Decisis - ANSWER-The tendency to follow precedent Civil Suits - ANSWER-The adjudication of private rights between two or more parties Compensatory Damages - ANSWER-When the plaintiff asks to be awarded money for claims based on medical bills, lost wages, property damages, and/or pain & suffering