Dangerous driving :
Dangerous driving refers to when a person drives a motor vehicle in a way that falls well below what is expected of a competent and careful driver. (See Causing death by dangerous driving.)
Decree absolute :
The decree absolute is the legal end of a marriage that allows the two individuals to legally remarry. It usually follows the decree nisi, which is issued six weeks beforehand, but in modern divorce proceedings this has been replaced by a final divorce order.
Decree nisi :
The decree nisi is the final part of the divorce process which officially terminates the marriage. In legal terms, a couple are still married until the decree nisi has gone through and becomes decree absolute. This has now been replaced by a single final divorce order in modern divorce proceedings.
Defamation :
Defamation is the publication of a statement about an individual that is published with the intention to tarnish or reduce their public reputation. In England and Wales, a defamatory statement comes in two forms: a permanent defamatory statement called libel, and a non-permanent defamatory statement called slander. Scottish law regards both forms of defamation as one.
Defence :
Defence is the collective term for the legal professionals acting on behalf of an offender to defend them against the criminal charges.
Defendant :
The defendant is the person against who court proceedings are brought. Court proceedings are usually brought by the plaintiff.
Deposition :
A deposition is a statement made by a witness that is recorded under oath before a magistrate or legal official. In a criminal case, a deposition is usually taken before the actual court proceeding begins to enable the defence and prosecution to view the information before examining and cross-examining the witnesses. The witness and the accused must be present when a deposition is presented in court. In a civil case, a court official may be allowed to take a deposition from any witnesses who might be ill or abroad at the time of the hearing.
Discrimination :
Discrimination is the illegal treatment of an individual because of their gender (sexual discrimination), race (racial discrimination) or religion (religious discrimination). In modern times, there are many legal issues being raised about discrimination because of age, disability and sexuality in the public sphere and the workplace.
District Courts :
The District Courts are the workhorses of the Scottish legal system which deal with most summary criminal matters. Similar to the magistrates' courts in England and Wales, the District Courts are responsible for the minor criminal offences that require a maximum imprisonment of 60 days and fines of up to £2,500.
Divorce :
Divorce is the legal process that formally ends a marriage and allows them to remarry. In the UK, a divorce can be granted to any couple that consents for the marriage to be terminated, or can show that the marriage has been irretrievably broken down.
Drink-driving :
Drink-driving is technically referred to as driving with excess alcohol. It means driving a motor vehicle on a road whilst the proportion of alcohol within the driver's body exceeds the prescribed limit - 80 milligram's of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood; 35 microgram's of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath; or 107 milligram's of alcohol in 100 millilitres of urine.
Driving while unfit :
Driving while unfit is the term used to describe driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of drink or drugs. (See Drink Driving).
Driving with excess alcohol :
Driving with excess alcohol is an offence that is commonly referred to as Drink Driving.
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A comprehensive guide to most legal terms, to help you understand what we are all about......