Legal terminology often seems inscrutable, even though the legal terms bandied about by lawyers frequently have very straightforward meanings. SHRM's Workplace Law LegalEase provides plain English definitions of common legal terminology for HR professionals to put relevant legal developments into sharp focus for your HR practice.
Heard a legalism that left you scratching your head? Our overview of basic legal definitions (in alphabetical order) should help.
Have you run across a term you don't see explained here? Please let us know at jdeschenaux@shrm.org.
The Terms:
Administrative Law Judge
Administrative Hearing
Affirmative Defense
Amicus Curiae
Answer
Back Pay
Burden of Proof
Case of First Impression
Certiorari
Circumstantial Evidence
Class Action
Collective Action
Common Law
Complaint
Constructive Discharge
Counterclaim
Defamation
Direct Evidence
Disparate Impact
En Banc
Exhaustion of Administrative Remedies
Federal Circuit Appeals Courts
Front Pay
Government Agency Publications
Government Agency Regulations
Injunction (Injunctive Relief)
Jurisdiction
Jury Trial
Legal Relief
McDonnell Douglas Test
Mixed Motive Analysis
Necessary Parties
Pattern or Practice Discrimination
Personal Jurisdiction
Pleadings
Pre-emption
Pretext
Privilege
Remand
Respondeat Superior
Reverse
Statute of Limitations
United States Code
Venue
Vicarious Liability