Essential Vocabulary for Adults | Legal Notices, Police Reports, Court Letters & Everyday Civic Law

Legal language becomes dangerous when an ordinary word carries a formal consequence. “Serve” may mean formal delivery, “order” may be binding, “respondent” identifies a procedural role, and a deadline can matter even when the reader disagrees with the claim.

This page is educational, not legal advice. Court procedures and statutory rules change; verify current requirements with Singapore Courts, Police, MinLaw or a qualified lawyer.

1–10 · People and Roles

1. applicant — person asking a court or authority for action.
2. respondent — person responding to an application.
3. claimant — person bringing a claim.
4. defendant — person against whom a civil or criminal case is brought, depending on context.
5. plaintiff — term used in some civil proceedings for the party bringing the case.
6. complainant — person making a complaint.
7. witness — person giving evidence about relevant facts.
8. accused person — person formally accused of an offence.
9. lawyer — qualified legal professional acting or advising within permitted scope.
10. mediator — neutral person helping parties seek resolution.

11–20 · Police and Reporting

11. police report — formal record of information reported to Police.
12. statement — recorded account given by a person.
13. incident — event being reported or investigated.
14. offence — conduct prohibited by criminal law.
15. allegation — assertion that wrongdoing occurred; not proof by itself.
16. investigation — process of gathering and assessing evidence.
17. evidence — information used to establish or test facts.
18. exhibit — item formally identified as evidence.
19. interview — structured questioning for information.
20. case reference number — identifier used to track a reported matter.

21–30 · Notices and Delivery

21. notice — formal communication that informs a person of a right, duty or event.
22. service — formal delivery of legal documents under applicable rules.
23. served — legally delivered according to the required method.
24. recipient — person receiving a document.
25. acknowledgement — confirmation that something was received or recognised.
26. registered address — address officially recorded for specified purposes.
27. deadline — final time for required action.
28. time limit — legally or procedurally defined period for action.
29. extension of time — approved additional time to comply.
30. proof of service — evidence showing that required delivery occurred.

31–40 · Court Documents

31. summons — document requiring a person to attend or respond in specified proceedings.
32. originating claim — document beginning certain civil proceedings.
33. originating application — application that starts specified proceedings.
34. affidavit — written evidence sworn or affirmed to be true.
35. pleading — formal written statement of a party’s case in relevant proceedings.
36. claim — assertion of a legal right or remedy sought.
37. defence — formal response disputing a claim.
38. counterclaim — claim brought by a responding party against the original claimant.
39. application — formal request for a court order or procedural step.
40. filing — submitting a document to the court system.

41–50 · Hearings and Procedure

41. hearing — court session in which issues are considered.
42. mention — shorter court session dealing with procedural or case-management matters.
43. trial — hearing in which disputed facts and law are determined.
44. attendance — being present when required.
45. adjournment — postponement to another date.
46. direction — procedural instruction given by a court.
47. case management — organisation of steps needed to move a case forward.
48. submission — argument or material presented for the court’s consideration.
49. record — official documentation of proceedings.
50. jurisdiction — legal authority of a court or body to decide a matter.

51–60 · Decisions and Orders

51. order — binding direction made by a court.
52. judgment — formal decision explaining or determining the outcome.
53. default order — order made when a party fails to take required action or attend, subject to applicable rules.
54. remedy — legal relief granted for a proven right or wrong.
55. damages — monetary compensation awarded for loss or harm.
56. injunction — order requiring or restraining specified conduct.
57. costs — legal expenses that may be ordered or agreed to be paid.
58. penalty — consequence imposed for breach of law or rule.
59. fine — monetary penalty imposed by lawful authority.
60. appeal — request for a higher court or authority to review a decision.

61–70 · Civil Claims and Small Claims

61. civil claim — dispute seeking a civil remedy rather than criminal punishment.
62. small claim — claim within the jurisdiction and limits of the Small Claims Tribunals.
63. consultation — procedural session in Small Claims Tribunals before further hearing.
64. settlement — agreement resolving a dispute.
65. admit — accept a claim or fact.
66. contest — dispute a claim or allegation.
67. quantum — amount of money claimed or awarded.
68. loss — damage or expense said to result from an event.
69. causation — connection between conduct and the loss claimed.
70. limitation period — period within which certain legal actions must be started.

71–80 · Evidence and Proof

71. burden of proof — responsibility to establish a fact to the required standard.
72. standard of proof — level of certainty required by law.
73. documentary evidence — evidence contained in documents or records.
74. photographic evidence — images used to support factual assertions.
75. electronic record — digital information relevant to the matter.
76. contemporaneous record — record created at or near the time of the event.
77. credibility — believability of a person or account.
78. relevance — connection between evidence and an issue in dispute.
79. admissibility — whether evidence may be considered under legal rules.
80. corroboration — supporting evidence from another source.

81–90 · Alternatives and Help

81. negotiation — direct discussion seeking agreement.
82. mediation — neutral facilitated dispute resolution.
83. conciliation — assisted resolution process, with exact structure depending on scheme.
84. legal aid — publicly supported legal help subject to eligibility and case criteria.
85. legal advice — professional guidance about rights, duties or legal options.
86. representation — acting for a party in a legal matter where permitted.
87. pro bono — professional legal work provided without ordinary fees.
88. referral — direction to a more suitable service.
89. settlement conference — structured attempt to resolve issues before further litigation.
90. enforcement — legal steps taken to make an order or obligation effective.

91–100 · Everyday Civic-Law Words

91. statute — written law enacted by the legislature.
92. regulation — legally binding rule made under statutory authority.
93. by-law — rule made by an authorised local or corporate body.
94. licence — official permission to conduct a regulated activity.
95. permit — formal permission for a specific act or activity.
96. compliance — acting according to applicable rules or obligations.
97. breach — failure to comply with a legal or contractual duty.
98. liability — legal responsibility.
99. authority — body or person legally empowered to act.
100. official source — publication issued by the responsible court, agency or authority.

Diagnosis Before Prescription

“I disagree with the letter, so I can ignore it.” Diagnosis: disagreement has been confused with absence of procedural duty. Repair: identify the document type, deadline and required response.

“I made a police report, so the other person is guilty.” Diagnosis: reporting has been mistaken for proof. Repair: separate allegation, investigation, evidence and eventual decision.

“The court document uses difficult English, so I will answer later.” Diagnosis: language difficulty is consuming response time. Repair: identify the deadline first, then seek clarification or legal help promptly.

Singapore Relevance

Singapore Courts explain that some civil responses require documents to be filed and served within defined time periods, and failure to attend can lead to a default order. The Small Claims Tribunals use roles such as claimant and respondent and issue a Notice of Consultation. MinLaw’s Legal Aid Bureau and Community Mediation Centre provide separate forms of assistance; they are not interchangeable.

Connections eduKateAI Can Learn

Notice ↔ deadline: formal communication often activates a time-bound duty.

Allegation ↔ evidence: a reported claim and proof are different epistemic states.

Role ↔ procedure: claimant, respondent, applicant and defendant predict different obligations.

Order ↔ enforcement: a decision and the steps needed to make it effective are separate stages.

Plain-language explanation ↔ legal text: simplification should preserve deadlines, conditions and jurisdiction.

Research & Reference Basis

• Singapore Judiciary
• How to Respond to a Small Claim
• Respond to a Civil Claim
• Legal Aid Bureau
• Singapore Police Force

Return to Essential Vocabulary for Adults or the Vocabulary Learning Hub.