VOCABULARIO

 PROCEEDINGS, LAWSUITS AND LEGAL JUDGMENTS: Procedimientos, pleitos y juicios

legales

1) ACTION FOR DAMAGES

Significado: demanda por daños y perjuicios
Contexto: The actress claimed medical malpractice in her action for damages against the plastic
surgeon.
2) ARBITRATION
Significado: arbitraje
Contexto: Both parties agreed to try to resolve the disagreement through arbitration.
3) CASE
Significado: caso
Contexto: The case against the defendant was based on circumstantial evidence.
4) CLAIM
Significado: reclamación
Contexto: This is a violation of the contract and provides the basis for filing a claim to recover the
outstanding balance.
5) COMPLAINT
Significado: queja
Contexto: The complaint alleged that the defendant's negligence was the cause of the injury.
6) COUNTERCLAIM
Significado: reconvención
Contexto: In response to being sued, the defendant filed a counterclaim alleging that it was in fact
the plaintiff who was responsible for the accident.
7) TO FILE
Significado: presentar
Contexto: This violation provides the basis for the company to file a claim to recover the outstanding
balance.
8) JUDGMENT
Significado: sentencia
Contexto: The judgment was made in favor of the plaintiff.
9) JURY
Significado: jurado
Contexto: The jury deliberated for only one hour before finding the defendant guilty.
10) LAWSUIT
Significado: proceso judicial
Contexto: The company threatened to file a lawsuit for nonpayment.
11) LITIGATION
Significado: litigio
Contexto: If you fail to correct the default within eight days, we will be forced to proceed with litigation
for retrieval of amounts owed.

 DISPUTES AND DISAGREEMENTS BETWEEN PARTIES: disputas y desacuerdos entre las

partes

12) DEFAULT
Significado: rebeldía
Contexto: When the defendant did not appear in court the court clerk entered a default.
13) DEFENDANT
Significado: acusado
Contexto: The defendant in the case pled not guilty.
14) DISPUTE
Significado: litigio
Contexto: The two parties were unable to resolve the dispute in arbitration and so decided to go to
court.
15) LIABILITY
Significado: responsabilidad
Contexto: In order to reduce liability the company decided to draft a waiver for visitors to the park to
sign.
16) NEGLIGENCE
Significado: negligencia
Contexto: The manufacturer is being accused of gross negligence.
17) PETITION
Significado: petición
Contexto: In light of new evidence in the case, the attorneys filed a petition for continuance.
18) PLAINTIFF
Significado: querellante
Contexto: The plaintiff is asking for compensatory and punitive damages.
19) SETTLEMENT
Significado: acuerdo
Contexto: The settlement included reimbursement of the plaintiff's attorney fees.
20) TO VIOLATE
Significado: infringir
Contexto: Failure to pay for services rendered violates the terms of the contract.

 COURTS OF LAW AND LEGAL AID: Tribunales de justicia y asistencia jurídica

21) COURT
Significado: tribunal
Contexto: The motion will have to be submitted to the court by the end of the day tomorrow.
22) DISTRICT COURT
Significado: tribunal de instancia
Contexto: Because the complaint falls under federal jurisdiction, it will be heard in district court.
23) LAW FIRM
Significado: bufete de abogados
Contexto: Jolee Food Services is represented by the law firm of Sanson & Honders.
24) LEGAL ADVICE
Significado: asesoramiento legal
Contexto: The company contacted Sanson & Honders for legal advice on a breach of contract
matter.
25) SMALL CLAIMS COURT
Significado: tribunal de arbitraje
Contexto: In most states individuals must represent themselves in small claims courts rather than
hire a lawyer.