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Law vocabulary · Lawsuits & Procedure

Proceedings

Meaning in law, with examples

/prəˈsiːdɪŋz/nounCommon term

In law, proceedings means: The formal steps of a legal case, from the moment it is started until it is finished; the legal process as a whole.

In Turkish: yargılama, dava süreci, takip

How it is used

Almost always plural in this meaning. You 'bring', 'start' or 'issue' proceedings 'against' someone, and a court can 'stay' them. Typical types: court proceedings, legal proceedings, arbitration proceedings, insolvency proceedings.

Example sentences

  1. If the invoice is not paid within 14 days, we will start legal proceedings without further notice.

  2. The court stayed the proceedings while the parties tried mediation.

Common collocations

  • bring proceedings against
  • legal proceedings
  • stay proceedings
  • court proceedings
  • arbitration proceedings
  • 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.
  • caseA 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.
  • trialThe formal process in court where evidence is presented and a judge or jury decides the case, usually after weeks or months of preparation.
  • hearingA meeting of a court or tribunal where the parties or their lawyers present arguments or evidence on a particular issue.
  • 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.

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.