The statute of limitations is a legal deadline—often 1–6 years, depending on the claim and state—to file a lawsuit or bring criminal charges. Once it...
Preponderance of the evidence is the civil proof standard requiring a party to show their claim is more likely true than not—often described as just...
Punitive damages are extra money a court may award on top of compensatory damages to punish especially reckless or intentional wrongdoing. They’re meant to deter...
Nominal damages are a token court award—often $1 to $100—given when a plaintiff proves a legal right was violated but shows no measurable monetary loss....
Injunctive relief is an equitable court order that compels a party to act or to stop acting to prevent irreparable harm. Courts commonly require showing...
A temporary restraining order (TRO) is a short-term, emergency court order that can be issued quickly to protect someone from harm, threats, or harassment. It...
Mediation is a voluntary alternative dispute resolution process where a neutral third-party mediator helps both sides reach a mutually agreed settlement without a judge deciding...
Arbitration is a private dispute-resolution process where 1 neutral arbitrator hears both sides and issues a decision, often faster than court. It’s commonly used in...
Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) is the umbrella term for resolving disputes outside court, commonly through three core methods: negotiation, mediation, and arbitration. ADR is usually...
