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calendar call
the calling of matters requiring parties, or their attorneys, to appear and be heard, usually done at the beginning of each court day

caption
in a pleading, deposition or other paper connected with a case in court, it is the heading or introductory clause which shows the names of the parties, name of the court, number of the case on the docket or calendar, etc.

case file
the court file containing papers submitted in a case

cause of action
grounds on which a legal action may be brought (e.g., property damage, personal injury, goods sold and delivered, work labor and services).

certificate of readiness
a document attesting that the parties in a lawsuit are ready to go to trial

certified copy
Copy of a document signed and certified as a true copy of an original by the Clerk of the Court or other authorized persons (e.g., lawyer).

certify
to testify in writing

certiorari
a proceeding in the state Supreme Court under Art. 78 of the CPLR to review the decisions or actions of a public official or body, as in a tax certiorari matter, a review of the tax assessed challenge an exception taken to a juror before he/she is sworn

change of venue
the removal of a suit begun in one county or district to another county or district for trial, though the term may also apply to the removal of a suit from one court to another court of the same county or district

charge to jury
in trial practice, an address delivered by the court to the jury at the close of the case instructing the jury as to what principles of law they are to apply in reaching a decision

chattel
article of personal property

citation
1) summons to appear; 2) reference to authorities in support of an argument

Civil Law
Law developed by governmental groups including statutes, regulations and
ordinances enacted by legislative bodies such as Congress, state legislatures, county and city officials. This is different than laws based on custom.

clerk's extract
a summary of a trial which is written by a clerk

clerk's minutes
notes, which are taken by a clerk, of events that occurred in court

commissioner of jurors
a person in charge of summoning citizens for jury duty

commitment
an order to commit a person to the custody of a sheriff, commissioner of corrections, or mental health facility

common law
the body of law which originated in England and upon which present day U.S. law is based

compensatory damages
reimbursement for actual loss or injury, as distinguished from exemplary or punitive damages

complaint
the initial pleading in an action formally setting forth the facts and reasons on which the demand for relief is based

condemnation
see eminent domain

consanguinity
Related by blood.

conservator
one who is appointed by a court to manage the affairs of a protected person

consolidate
A joining of two or more actions to be tried together.

consolidated action
two or more actions involving a common question of law or fact may be consolidated by the court; the actions then are merged, becoming one action with one title, and they result in one verdict and one judgment

contempt of court
an act or omission tending to obstruct or interfere with the orderly administration of justice or to impair the dignity of the court or respect for its authority

contested action
an action which involves disputed issue(s) of fact or law

contract
a legally enforceable agreement between two or more persons or parties (oral or written)

corroborate
to strengthen; to add weight by additional evidence

costs
The statutory sum awarded to the successful party when a judgment is entered. (Section 1901 all Court Acts.)

counsel
Lawyer or attorney.

counterclaim
1. In civil actions, a claim brought by a defendant against the plaintiff for an unlimited amount of money. 2. In small claims/commercial claims, a claim brought by a defendant against the plaintiff for an amount not to exceed the maximum monetary jurisd

court of limited jurisdiction
A City Court, District Court or other court that has jurisdiction only over actions authorized by law.

court reporter
a person who transcribes by shorthand or stenographically takes down testimony during court proceedings

cross- examination
questioning by a party or his attorney of an adverse party or a witness called by an adverse party

crossclaim
claim litigated by co-defendants or co-plaintiffs against each other and not against a party on the opposite side of the litigation