A court ruling is a legal decision made by a Judge or other hearing officer about a dispute. A ruling can be about money, property or the rights and duties of people. It can also be about something a person is not allowed to do or about how much someone should pay.
appellant: A person who starts an appeal. He or she asks a higher court to check if a lower court’s decision was right. The other person is called the appellee.
contempt: When a person ignores or disobeys a Judge or a court order. It can be done accidentally (Civil Contempt) or on purpose (Criminal Contempt). It is a crime.
deposition: A hearing where a witness is asked questions under oath. The answers are then recorded as a transcript. depositions can be used in court cases and to help prepare for trials.
e-filing: A way for people to file papers with the court over the Internet instead of by mail, fax or handing them in.
evidence: Statements that are made in court to prove a fact. Courts usually only allow true and accurate evidence in a case.
heir: A person who can receive something from someone after their death because of a legal arrangement or document (like a will). heirs must go through the Surrogate’s Court to get the estate.
holdover proceeding: A type of case started in the Housing Part of Civil Court to ask for control and repairs of a place.