Indecent assault :
An indecent assault is an assault that involves some form of indecency such as attempting to touch another person's genitals. It can be committed by a man or women, upon a man or women.
Indictable offence :
An indictable offence is a serious criminal offence that requires trial by jury in a Crown Court. Most common law offences such as rape, murder, and GBH are considered to be indictable. Criminal offences dealt with by the magistrates' court are called summary offences. (See Magistrates' Court.)
Indictment :
An indictment is a legal document that formally accuses an individual of committing an indictable offence. The indictment lists the crime that has been committed and the details of the offence. It is read out at the trial before the accused, and can refer to more than one offence.
Injunction :
An injunction is a legal document, or court order that forces an individual to do certain things or risk punishment from the courts. An injunction is generally used to prevent an individual from continuing with some form of illegal or anti-social behaviour. The courts use it when a fine seems inappropriate, and a failure to adhere to an injunction puts the individual in contempt of court.
Inquest :
An inquest is the investigation into a suspicious death carried out by a coroner at Coroner's Court. An inquest is only held when the cause of death is unknown, suspicious or occurs in prison. Inquests are not criminal proceedings, despite sometimes requiring a jury; they merely decide how the person died, and whether the nature of the death requires a further police investigation.
Insanity :
In a trial, a plea of insanity can be used to lessen the punishment for a crime and even help the accused escape conviction. An individual accused of a crime is presumed to be sane unless it can be proved otherwise. The defence must prove that the accused was without reason and suffering from a mental problem at the time he or she committed the crime.
Insider dealing :
Insider dealing is a commonly used phrase referring to information or knowledge illegally used by traders in financial markets to gain profit or avoid a loss. The information in question is usually highly sensitive and not available to the public, so its use may unduly affect the markets and the fortunes of whoever has that information.
Insolvency :
Insolvency is a general term used for the inability of an individual or company to pay debts that it owes. When referring to an individual the legal process is called bankruptcy, and regarding a company it is called liquidation. Both forms of insolvency involve the redistribution of the individual or company's assets to the people or creditors that they owe. Insolvency does not always lead to bankruptcy or liquidation if the party involved has enough assets to resolve the matter, but it generally does.
Interdict :
An interdict is the term for an injunction in Scottish law.
Find out more about the differences between the legal systems in Scotland and England, Wales and N.Ireland.
Interlocutory appeal :
An interlocutory appeal is an appeal made if a court order or injunction is made on an individual before a trial begins - this period is called the interlocutory. The person that is served the order can appeal to have it removed if they feel it is unjust.
Interlocutory order :
An interlocutory order is a court order or injunction that is made before a trial goes to court. This temporary injunction is usually applied at the last minute prevent any interference in the court proceedings. The individual who is served the interlocutory order is entitled to compensation if they are acquitted of all charges.
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