Acknowledgement of Service – A document which is filed at court by the Respondent to indicate that he/she has received the petition and indicates how he/she intends to proceed.
Adjournment – Where a court hearing is postponed to another day.
Adultery – Voluntary sexual intercourse between a man and woman who are not married to each other but one of whom at least is a married person.
Advocate – A barrister or a solicitor representing a party in a hearing before a court.
Affidavit – A written statement which is sworn to be true by the person signing it. It is sworn before someone authorised by the court.
Affirm – To solemnly promise to tell the truth. This can also be in the form of an affidavit.
Alimony – This is an American term for the English equivalent of Maintenance.
Ancillary Relief (Financial Orders) – Old term for application for a financial order additional claims arising out of a divorce, judicial separation or nullity petition.
Annual Accounts – Businesses’ financial details during the year covered by the accounts.
Annul or Annulment – An annulment ends an invalid marriage. A marriage is only invalid if certain criteria are met, if not the marriage can be annulled instead of having a divorce.
Antenuptial Agreement – A legal agreement entered into to regulate the financial affairs between parties before marriage in the event of a future separation or divorce. commonly referred to as a pre-nuptial or pre-marital agreement.
Appeal – A request to challenge and overturn a lower court’s decision.
Applicant – The person who is filing a court application
Articles of Association – Documents which sent out the rules of a company.
Asset – Is something which is owned, for example, a building, property or cash at the bank.
Assign – To transfer and asset and / or ownership to another person.
Assignment – The formal transfer of rights to an asset to another person.
Assurance – Insurance cover, for example, in the event of death.