Glossary: Legal Words in Plain English

In short. Legal words used on this site, explained in one or two plain sentences each. Where a word has a full page, follow the link from the relevant service or guide.

Delhi High Court

The High Court for the National Capital Territory of Delhi, set up under the Delhi High Court Act, 1966. It hears appeals, writs, bail and quashing matters, and original suits above its pecuniary limit.

Original side

The part of the Delhi High Court's work where suits start in the High Court itself, such as property, money, commercial and IP suits above Rs 2 crore (check the current limit).

Appellate side

The part of the court's work where it hears appeals, revisions and petitions against orders of lower courts and authorities.

Single Judge and Division Bench

A Single Judge hears most bail, quashing, writ and civil matters. A Division Bench of two judges hears appeals such as Letters Patent appeals, PILs and certain criminal appeals.

Roster

The Chief Justice's list fixing which judge hears which kind of case. It changes from time to time.

Joint Registrar

A judicial officer of the High Court who handles procedural stages on the original side, such as service, pleadings and admission or denial of documents.

Cause list

The daily list of cases to be heard by each court, published on the court's website the evening before.

Mentioning

Asking the court, usually at the start of the day, to list an urgent matter earlier than its normal turn.

Advance copy

A copy of a petition served on the government counsel or the other side before filing, so they can appear at the first hearing.

Caveat

A notice filed by a person who expects a case against them, asking to be heard before any order is passed.

Vakalatnama

The written authority a client signs to let an advocate appear and act in a case.

Affidavit

A written statement of facts sworn before an oath commissioner or notary. Most petitions and replies are supported by affidavits.

FIR

First Information Report: the police record of a cognizable offence, now registered under Section 173 BNSS (old Section 154 CrPC).

Zero FIR

An FIR registered by any police station regardless of where the offence happened, later sent to the station with jurisdiction.

Chargesheet

The police report filed in court at the end of investigation, under Section 193 BNSS (old Section 173 CrPC).

Cognizance

The court taking judicial notice of an offence so that the case can proceed against the accused.

Summoning order

An order of a magistrate calling the accused to appear in a complaint or police case.

Bail

Release from custody on conditions and a bond, pending investigation or trial.

Anticipatory bail

An order under Section 482 BNSS (old Section 438 CrPC) that a person, if arrested in a case, shall be released on bail.

Interim bail

Bail for a short period, often for medical treatment or a family event, or until the main bail application is decided.

Default bail

Bail that becomes a right when the police fail to file the chargesheet within 60 or 90 days, under Section 187 BNSS (old Section 167(2) CrPC).

Surety

A person who promises the court that the accused will appear, and may lose the bail amount if the accused does not.

Quashing

The High Court ending an FIR, complaint or criminal proceeding under its inherent power in Section 528 BNSS (old Section 482 CrPC).

Compounding

Settling certain offences between the parties with the court's permission, under Section 359 BNSS (old Section 320 CrPC).

Revision

A petition asking a higher court to correct an illegal or improper order of a lower court.

Look Out Circular (LOC)

A notice to immigration authorities to stop or report a person leaving or entering India, issued at the request of an investigating agency or other authority.

Proclaimed offender

A person declared absconding by the court under Section 84 BNSS (old Section 82 CrPC) after failing to appear despite a warrant.

ECIR

Enforcement Case Information Report: the ED's internal record of a money-laundering case under the PMLA.

Provisional attachment

An ED order under Section 5 PMLA that freezes property believed to be proceeds of crime, later confirmed or released by the Adjudicating Authority.

Writ petition

A petition under Article 226 asking the High Court to enforce rights or correct illegal action by the government or public authorities.

Mandamus

A writ directing a public authority to perform a duty it is legally bound to perform.

Habeas corpus

A writ asking for a detained person to be produced before the court and released if the detention is illegal.

Certiorari

A writ quashing an order passed without jurisdiction or in violation of law.

Public Interest Litigation (PIL)

A case filed for a public cause rather than a private grievance, heard by a Division Bench.

Contempt of court

Wilful disobedience of a court order or conduct that obstructs justice, punishable under the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971.

Letters Patent Appeal (LPA)

An intra-court appeal to a Division Bench against many judgments of a Single Judge of the High Court.

Special Leave Petition (SLP)

A petition under Article 136 asking the Supreme Court to hear an appeal against a High Court judgment.

Interim injunction

A temporary order restraining a party from doing something, such as selling property or using a trademark, while the case is pending.

Status quo

An order that the position on the ground stays as it is until the court decides otherwise.

Decree

The formal expression of the court's decision in a civil suit, which can be executed.

Execution

The process of enforcing a decree or award, for example by attachment of property or bank accounts.

Probate

A court's certificate that a will is genuine and the executor can administer the estate.

Letters of administration

Authority given by the court to administer the estate of a person who died without a will, or whose will names no executor.

Mesne profits

Damages for wrongful occupation of property, measured by what the owner lost or the occupant gained.

Specific performance

A court order forcing a party to complete a contract, such as an agreement to sell property.

Commercial Division

The part of the Delhi High Court that hears commercial suits above the pecuniary limit under the Commercial Courts Act, 2015.

Intellectual Property Division (IPD)

The part of the Delhi High Court that hears trademark, copyright, patent and design cases and appeals.

Section 34 petition

A petition to set aside an arbitral award under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996.