A legal institution, often a government agency, with the authority to adjudicate disputes and carry out justice in civil, criminal and administrative matters in accordance with the rule of law. Courts usually consist of a group of judges or other judicial officers. Courts operate according to procedural laws, and their practical authority is called jurisdiction (from Latin iurisdictio, meaning “judgment of the law”). Some courts have special jurisdiction over specific issues such as bankruptcy, claims against the federal government or international trade.
A declaration by a party to a lawsuit, made in a pleading, that the party intends to prove a fact relevant to the case. The statement is intended to alert other parties to what the party intends to do or present as evidence at a trial or hearing.
Testimony, documents or physical objects accepted by a court for the purpose of proving or disproving facts relevant to a case. A court may limit the admissibility of certain types of evidence, e.g. hearsay.
A request for a decision of a judge to be reviewed and changed by another court, usually a higher court. Appeals are typically decided on a case-by-case basis, and decisions of a lower court can only be overturned if they are found to have been based upon an error in law.
While they are generally viewed as being highly respected-even revered-by the public, many observers say that courts have few formal institutional powers. This is because, unlike other institutions of government, they do not have the power to compel obedience through coercion.
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