Legal Dictionary

Any agreement in a criminal case between the prosecutor and the defendant whereby the defendant agrees to plead guilty to a particular charge in return for some concession from the prosecutor. This may mean that the defendant will plead guilty to a less serious charge, or to one of several charges, in return for the dismissal of other charges; or it may mean that the defendant will plead guilty to the original criminal charge in return for a more lenient sentence.

Pleadings

The documents submitted to the court by each party to a civil case giving notice of what they will argue at the trial.

Power of attorney (PoA)

A written authorisation to represent or act on another’s behalf (the principal) in private affairs, business or some other legal matter, sometimes against the wishes of the principal. It is generally terminated when the principal dies or becomes incompetent, but the principal can revoke it at any time. See also: Online POA and Other Notary Public Services in the UAE

Practice directions

Guidelines issued by judges on how specific procedures and formalities should be followed in different courts.

Pre-emption

To set up a prior claim, or the right to gain an advantage before anyone else.

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Pre-emptory challenge

Refers to a right in jury selection for the attorneys to reject a certain number of potential jurors without stating a reason. Other potential jurors may be challenged for cause (by giving a good reason why they might be unable to reach a fair verdict, but the challenge will be considered by the presiding judge and may be denied).

Preamble

An introduction to a formal document that explains its purpose. When applied to the opening paragraphs of a statute, it may recite historical facts pertinent to the subject of the statute.

Premeditated

Planned in advance and carried out deliberately. Similar to the term malice aforethought but more widely and commonly used nowadays.

Prenuptial agreement

A formal agreement between two people who are about to marry, setting out the terms of ownership of assets, treatment of future earnings, control of property, and potential division if the marriage is subsequently dissolved. These agreements are fairly common if either party has substantial assets, children from a prior marriage, potential inheritances or high incomes. They are not recognised in every legal jurisdiction, most notably the United Kingdom.

Prima facie

Literally, ‘on the face of it’. It is commonly used to signify that upon initial examination, sufficient corroborating evidence appears to exist to support a case.

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Privacy

The state or condition of being able to do things without other people watching you, disturbing you or knowing what you are doing.

Privileged communication

Communication which cannot be disclosed without the consent of the party making it, such as those made by a client to his or her legal adviser, or communication which does not expose the person making it to court proceedings for defamation, such as those made during court proceedings.

Pro bono

Latin for ‘public good’. Used to describe professional work undertaken voluntarily and without payment or at a reduced fee as a public service. It is service that uses the skills of professionals to provide services to those who are unable to afford them.

Probate

Is a legal document which is granted by a court once the legality validity of a Will has been determined. Receipt of the probate is the first step in the process of administering the estate of a deceased person, resolving all claims and distributing the deceased’s property in accordance with the terms of the Will.

Product liability

An area of the law in which manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, retailers and others who make products available to the public are held responsible for the injuries that those products cause. Usually, the injured party need not prove that manufacturer or supplier was negligent as the defect is associated with the product. Although the word ‘product’ has broad connotations, product liability as an area of the law is traditionally limited to products in the form of tangible personal property.

Petition

Plea bargain