An alternative name for statutory law. When introduced into the first house of the legislature, a piece of proposed legislation is known as a bill. When passed to the next house, it may then be referred to as an act. After enactment, the terms law and act may be used interchangeably.

The formal legal demand of one’s rights from another person brought in court.

The legal process of resolving a dispute; the process of judicially deciding a case.

A governmental authority, other than a legislature or court, that issues rules and regulations or adjudicates disputes arising under its statutes and regulations. Administrative agencies usually act under authority delegated by the legislature.

Current pamphlets containing the most current opinions of a court or the courts of several jurisdictions. The volume and page numbers usually are the same as in the subsequently bound volumes of the series, which cover several numbers of the advance sheets.

A manual of legal citation form prepared by the Association of Legal Writing Directors.

A legal encyclopedia that provides  a  non-critical, textual statement of substantive and procedural law. It sets forth points of law, together with discussions of legal subjects and citations to controlling cases that interpret and construe that point of law.

A publication that provides detailed articles about specific legal issues, each of which is accompanied by an extensive list of citations and references to other articles.

(Latin for “friend of the court”) A party with strong interest in or views on the subject matter of the dispute will petition the court for permission to file a brief, ostensibly on behalf of a party but  actually to suggest a rationale consistent with its own views.

A brief summary of the facts and decision in a case enhanced with editorial comments and citations to additional resources.

The party who requests that a higher court review the actions of a lower court.

Of or relating to a case which is on appeal. An appellate opinion is issued by a court which  has heard an appeal.

Written arguments by counsel required to be filed with appellate court on why the trial  court acted correctly (appellee's brief) or incorrectly (appellant's brief).

A court with jurisdiction to review decisions of lower courts or administrative agencies.

The party against whom an appeal is taken (usually, but not always, the winner in the lower court).

One of seven  regional reporters of the National Reporter System that contains every published decision from Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey,  Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and the District of Columbia.

That which can bind or influence the decision of a court. Material with which a court must comply is binding authority. Case law, legislation, constitutions, administrative regulations, and writings about the law are all legal authority. See primary authority, mandatory authority, persuasive authority, and secondary authority.