Understanding Courtroom Words

[Giwa Ihesha]

Stop Misusing Courtroom Words

There are some words you hear in court that sound ordinary, but their legal meaning is very different.

Let me break down some of them in a way you will actually remember.

Matter Struck Out

This does not automatically mean the case has been finally determined on its merits.
Depending on the circumstances, the court may remove the matter from its list because of procedural problems, failure to take necessary steps, non-appearance, or other reasons.
And in appropriate circumstances, a matter that has been struck out may be brought again.
So Struck out is not automatically dismissed.

Case Dismissed

Now pay attention to this one. A dismissal is a court order bringing the particular proceeding to an end.
But don't make the mistake of thinking:
“Dismissed means the person can NEVER do anything about it again.”
The legal effect depends on why the case was dismissed and the circumstances surrounding the order. There may also be a right of appeal in appropriate cases. So don't celebrate or cry until you understand what exactly the court ordered and why.

Granted as Prayed

This one is much easier. It generally means the court has granted the reliefs sought in the terms in which they were prayed for, subject to the actual wording of the court's order.
In simple English:
“The court has granted what you asked for.”
That is why lawyers sometimes smile after hearing those words.

Adjournment Sine Die

This one sounds like somebody sneezed in Latin. Sine die basically means “without a day/date fixed.”

So instead of:
“Come back on 10th November.”

The court says, in effect:
“We are not fixing a return date at this time.”

It does NOT simply mean:
Case dismissed
Case struck out
You have lost
The actual effect depends on the order made by the court and the circumstances of the matter.

Remanded

This is another word people misunderstand badly. Someone is remanded and people start saying:
“They have been sentenced!”
No.
Remand is not the same thing as conviction or sentence. A person may be remanded in custody while criminal proceedings continue, subject to the applicable law and the court's order.
So Remanded is not Convicted. A person can be in custody while the case is still pending.

Adjourned

This one is simple.
The matter has been moved to another date.
It doesn't automatically mean you won.
It doesn't automatically mean you lost.
It doesn't mean the case has disappeared.

It simply means:
“We will continue on another date.”

Maybe a witness is unavailable.
Maybe a necessary step has not been completed.
Maybe the court needs another date.
Whatever the reason, an adjournment by itself does not determine the case.

So the next time you hear:

“Struck out.”
“Dismissed.”
“Granted as prayed.”
“Sine die.”
“Remanded.”
“Adjourned.”

Please don't go outside the courtroom and give your own judgment.

Ask your lawyer what the order actually means.
Because in law, one word can make a Big difference.

Did you know this before today?

Confidence Aribibia
I remain your Favorite Lawyer

 

[Giwa Ihesha]

ARRAIGNMENT IN COURT

Before a Witness says a Single word in a Criminal case, this must happen first

Imagine sitting in court and suddenly the Registrar stands up and begins reading:

“That you, Gladys Grey, on or about the 29th day of February 2026, at Port Harcourt, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did unlawfully cause the de@th of Sugar Brown by st@bbing him with a knife, and thereby committed the offence of murder contrary to Section 315 and punishable under Section 319 of the Criminal Code.”

Then the court turns to Agnes:
“Do you plead guilty or not guilty?”

That moment is called ARRAIGNMENT.

And yes, that long statement beginning with:
“THAT YOU…”

is the charge being read to the accused person.

In simple English, the court is saying:

“Gladys, this is exactly what you are being accused of doing. Do you admit it or do you deny it?”

The accused then enters a plea.
“Guilty.”

or
“Not guilty.”

Now, here is something very important.

Being arraigned does not mean you have been found guilty.

Arraignment is the formal stage where the accused person is brought before the court, the charge is presented/read and the accused is called upon to enter a plea.

If the person pleads not guilty, the criminal proceedings continue and the prosecution must present its case in accordance with the applicable law and procedure.

That is where witnesses may eventually enter the witness box, documents may be tendered, evidence may be challenged and lawyers may make their arguments.

So don't hear:
“He was arraigned for murder.”

and immediately conclude:
“So he is a murderer.”

No.

A Charge is an Accusation. A Conviction is a finding by the Court.

There is a whole legal process between the two.
So remember this:

Arrest — You are taken into custody.
Charge — The specific offence you are accused of is stated.
Arraignment — The charge is formally presented/read and you are called upon to plead.
Trial — Evidence is presented and witnesses may testify.
Judgment — The court determines the case according to the law and evidence.

So before the first witness says:
“My Lord, on that day…”

there is an important step that has already happened.
“THAT YOU…”

That is where the accused person is formally confronted with the allegation and called upon to answer it.

Now you know what “arraignment” actually means I hope the next time you hear that somebody has been arraigned, you will understand exactly what happened in that courtroom.

What other courtroom term should I break down next?

Confidence Aribibia
I remain your favorite Lawyer

 

[gutrupurdi]

10 COURTROOM PHRASES LAWYERS USE THAT EVERYONE CAN LEARN
=========================================
Ever heard a lawyer say something in court and wondered, ‘What does that even mean?’

Here are 10 courtroom phrases lawyers use and what they actually mean!

. “You cannot approbate and reprobate.”

Meaning:
A party cannot accept and rely on a position when it benefits them, and later reject that same position when it becomes inconvenient.
In simple terms: You cannot have it both ways.

. “Let justice be done, though the heavens fall.”

Meaning:
It expresses the principle that justice should be administered regardless of the consequences or difficulties that may follow.
Justice must not be sacrificed simply because its consequences are inconvenient.

. “A party cannot travel beyond its pleadings.”

Meaning:
A party is generally bound by the case it has set out in its pleadings and cannot ordinarily introduce a fundamentally different case at trial. What you plead matters.

. “The law helps the vigilant, not those who sleep on their rights.”

Meaning:
A person who has a legal right should take reasonable and timely steps to enforce it rather than unreasonably delay.
In some circumstances, delay can affect the legal remedy available.

. “A party cannot blow hot and cold.”

Meaning:
A party should not be allowed to take inconsistent positions concerning the same matter, particularly where the earlier position has been relied upon.

In simple terms: You can't keep changing your position to suit yourself. The phrase is closely associated with the principle against approbating and reprobating.

. “Men may lie, but circumstances do not.”

Meaning:
A person's statement may be false, but objective facts and surrounding circumstances may provide evidence from which the truth can be determined.

It does not mean circumstances can never be misleading; their evidential value depends on the facts of each case.

. “Justice delayed is justice denied.”

Meaning:
Undue delay in resolving a dispute can undermine the effective administration of justice. Justice is not only about the final decision, it is also about timely resolution.

. “He who comes into equity must come with clean hands.”

Meaning:
A person seeking an equitable remedy must generally come to court without having acted improperly in relation to the matter.
In simple terms: Don't ask the court for equitable relief while relying on your own improper conduct.

. “Ignorance of the law is no excuse.”

Meaning:
A person generally cannot avoid the legal consequences of conduct simply by claiming they did not know the law prohibited it.

10. “Res ipsa loquitur.”

Meaning:
Latin for “the thing speaks for itself.”
It is a doctrine in the law of negligence under which, in appropriate circumstances, the occurrence itself may provide an inference of negligence, where the event ordinarily would not happen without negligence, and the relevant circumstances are established.

Now you know what these courtroom phrases actually mean!
Which one have you heard a lawyer use before?