Glossary of Car Accidents Law Terms “S”
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z #
S
Service: Delivery of a legal document to the opposite party.
Set aside: Annul or void as in “setting aside” a judgment.
Settlement: Conclusion of a legal matter.
Settlement conference: A meeting between parties of a lawsuit, their counsel and a judge to attempt a resolution of the dispute without trial.
Statute: A law created by the Legislature.
Statute of limitations: Law which specifies the time within which parties must take judicial action to enforce their rights.
Stay: Halting of a judicial proceeding by order of the court.
Stipulation: Agreement by the attorneys or parties on opposite sides of a case regarding any matter in the trial proceedings.
Subpoena: Document issued by the authority of the court to compel a witness to appear and give testimony or produce documentary evidence in a proceeding. Failure to appear or produce is punishable by contempt of court.
Subpoena duces tecum: “Under penalty you shall take it with you.” A process by which the court commands a witness to produce specific documents or records in a trial.
Suit: Any court proceeding in which an individual seeks a decision.
Summons: Document or writ directing the sheriff or other officer to notify a person that an action has been commenced against him in court and that he is required to appear, on a certain day, and answer the complaint in such action.