Case

A legal case is a proceeding in a court of law in which a plaintiff or claimant (the person or entity making a claim) brings a complaint against a defendant (the person or entity being sued) in an attempt to seek a remedy or relief.

Legal cases can arise from a variety of circumstances, including contract disputes, personal injury claims, criminal proceedings, and disputes over property or other assets.

In the UK there are different types of courts for different types of cases, for instance, civil cases are heard in county courts or the high court depending on the size of the claim, similarly criminal cases will be heard in Magistrates courts for less serious offences, and Crown court for more serious cases.

The legal process for a case will vary depending on the type of case and the court in which it is heard. However, in general, a legal case will involve the filing of court papers, the exchange of evidence and witness statements between the parties, and hearings or trial in front of a judge or jury.

The parties may be represented by solicitors and barristers, and the UK legal system is divided into two branches: civil and criminal. Civil law concerns disputes between private individuals or organizations, while criminal law concerns cases brought by the state against individuals accused of committing crimes.

Author:
Gaynor Haliday, Legal researcher

About the author

Gaynor Haliday is an experienced legal researcher and published author. She has had numerous articles published in the press and is a legal industry commentator.