Okuzeka
Law vocabulary · Lawsuits & Procedure

Case

Meaning in law, with examples

/keɪs/nounCore term

In law, case means: A legal dispute that a court deals with, or an earlier court decision that lawyers refer to; also the facts and arguments that one side presents.

In Turkish: dava, dosya, olay

How it is used

One of the most frequent words in law. A case can be 'brought', 'heard', 'won', 'lost' or 'dismissed'. 'Our case' means our arguments, and 'a leading case' is an important earlier decision that others follow.

Example sentences

  1. We have a strong case, but the other side's expert report worries me.

  2. The case was heard by three judges in the Court of Appeal.

  3. Please read the leading case on this point before tomorrow's meeting.

Common collocations

  • win a case
  • lose a case
  • bring a case
  • leading case
  • make out a case
  • lawsuitA claim that one person or company brings against another in a civil court, usually asking for money or for an order to stop something.
  • claimA formal demand for money, property or another remedy, especially one made in court; also a statement that something is true which has not yet been proved.
  • case lawLaw that comes from the decisions of courts rather than from statutes; the body of earlier judgments that judges and lawyers rely on.
  • precedentAn earlier court decision that judges use as an example or a rule when they decide later cases with similar facts or legal questions.
  • proceedingsThe formal steps of a legal case, from the moment it is started until it is finished; the legal process as a whole.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

More terms: Lawsuits & Procedure

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not legal advice.