Legal Dictionary - L

Law clerk: Commonly a lawyer or law school student employed by a court or law firm to do legal research.

Lawsuit: A dispute between two people or entities that is decided in a court of law. Also called a suit.

Liable: Legally responsible.

Libel: Published material regarding a person that harms the person or their reputation. Libel is a tort.

Lien: An encumbrance or legal burden on property.

Limited jurisdiction: Restricted as to the types of criminal and civil cases that may be heard. Family courts are court of limited jurisdiction. They do not maintain the authority to hear a variety of matters unrelated to family law.

Litigant: A party in a lawsuit.

Litigation: A legal action, lawsuit, and all related proceedings.