CLAIMANT
The party who is contemplating proceedings and is looking for a remedy such as compensation.

DEFENDANT
The party who is having to defend a claim brought against him or her.

NO WIN NO FEE
A funding arrangement whereby if your case has a reasonable prospect of success we may be willing to agree with you to accept payment only if we win the case for you in which circumstances we would also be paid a success fee, but no fee if you were to lose the case.

PROCEEDINGS
The name given to a court action.

COUNSEL (or BARRISTER)
Barristers help us with more complex cases and advise on questions of liabiltiy, how much the claim is worth, on issues of evidence and present cases at trial or at interim hearings.

DAMAGES
The name for compensation, a remedy often sought by claimants in proceedings.

SUMMONS
A court document, now mainly limited to proceedings in a Magistrates Court, requiring your attendance at court.

CLINICAL (or MEDICAL) NEGLIGENCE -
A general term applied to cases where fault is being alleged against a medical practioner (e.g. doctor, nurse or other health professional).

QUANTUM
The amount, or level of compensation.

CONTRIBUTORY NEGLIGENCE
Used to describe an element of fault on the party looking fo compensation or bringing proceedings.