Civil Litigation & Discovery Glossary (A–Z) | Spanish-English

The Rules of Engagement

Civil Litigation & Discovery

A Professional Gift to the Interpreting Community from Samuel Arcelay

While criminal trials capture the public imagination with drama, the vast majority of legal proceedings in the United States are civil in nature. This is the realm of disputes between individuals and corporations over money, property, and rights.

The Engine of Litigation: Discovery. The heart of modern civil practice is the mandatory exchange of information. Interpreters spend countless hours in depositions (sworn out-of-court testimony), translating for witnesses being grilled by opposing counsel.

Confusing a Motion to Compel with a Motion for Protective Order reverses the meaning of the proceeding. Precision here is vital.

A
ActionAcción / Demanda
Definition: A lawsuit or legal proceeding.
Notes: Can be civil or criminal.
Context: Litigation.
Admissions (Requests for Admission)Solicitudes de admisión
Definition: Written discovery requests asking a party to admit specific facts or the genuineness of documents.
Notes: Failure to respond on time usually results in matters being deemed admitted.
Adverse PartyParte adversa
Definition: Opposing party in a lawsuit.
Notes: Includes plaintiffs vs. defendants, cross-defendants, or third parties.
AffidavitDeclaración jurada
Definition: Written statement made under oath, used as evidence in civil proceedings.
Notes: Must be notarized; frequently attached to motions.
Answer (Civil Response)Contestación a la demanda
Definition: Defendant’s written response to a civil complaint.
Notes: Must admit, deny, or state lack of knowledge as to each allegation.
Appearance (Civil Court)Comparecencia
Definition: Formal participation in a civil case by an attorney or a self-represented party.
ArbitrationArbitraje
Definition: Private dispute resolution in which a neutral arbitrator issues a decision.
Notes: Often required under contract clauses.
AttachmentEmbargo preventivo / secuestro de bienes
Definition: The seizure of a person's property to secure a judgment or to be sold in satisfaction of a judgment.
B
Bench Trial (Civil)Juicio ante el juez (sin jurado)
Definition: Trial decided solely by a judge without a jury.
Bill of CostsEstado de costas
Definition: Itemized list of litigation expenses requested by the prevailing party after judgment.
Bill of ParticularsEspecificación de reclamaciones
Definition: Detailed written statement clarifying the allegations or damages in a complaint.
Breach of ContractIncumplimiento de contrato
Definition: Failure to perform obligations under a valid agreement.
Brief (Legal Argument)Escrito jurídico / alegato escrito
Definition: Written legal argument submitted to the court.
Burden of Proof (Civil)Carga de la prueba (civil)
Definition: Obligation to prove a claim by a “preponderance of the evidence.”
C
Case Management Conference (CMC)Conferencia de gestión del caso
Definition: Hearing where the judge sets deadlines, discovery schedule, and addresses procedural issues.
Cause of ActionCausa de acción / fundamento de la demanda
Definition: A set of facts sufficient to justify a right to sue.
Civil SummonsCitatorio civil / citación civil
Definition: Document notifying the defendant of the lawsuit and response deadline.
Class ActionDemanda colectiva
Definition: Lawsuit filed on behalf of a group of people with similar claims.
Complaint (Civil Complaint)Demanda civil
Definition: Initial pleading stating the plaintiff’s legal claims and requested relief.
ContinuanceAplazamiento / prórroga
Definition: Court-approved postponement of a hearing, trial, or deadline.
CounterclaimContrademanda
Definition: Claim filed by the defendant against the plaintiff in the same lawsuit.
Cross-ExaminationContrainterrogatorio
Definition: Questioning of a witness by the opposing party.
D
Declaratory JudgmentSentencia declaratoria
Definition: A judgment which determines rights without ordering anything be done or awarding damages.
Default JudgmentSentencia en rebeldía
Definition: Judgment entered when a defendant fails to appear or respond.
DemurrerExcepción perentoria / objeción legal
Definition: A pleading to dismiss the adverse party's pleading for legal insufficiency.
DepositionDeposición
Definition: Sworn out-of-court testimony taken before a court reporter.
Direct ExaminationInterrogatorio directo
Definition: Questioning of a witness by the party who called them.
DiscoveryDescubrimiento de pruebas
Definition: Formal process of obtaining information from the opposing party and third parties.
Dismissal with PrejudiceDesestimación con perjuicio
Definition: Order ending a lawsuit where the plaintiff is barred from filing again on the same claim.
Dismissal without PrejudiceDesestimación sin perjuicio
Definition: Order ending a lawsuit but allowing the plaintiff to refile later.
Dispositive MotionMoción dispositiva
Definition: Motion asking the court to resolve all or part of a case without trial.
DocketExpediente / lista de casos
Definition: brief chronological entries summarizing the court proceedings.
Draft OrderOrden preliminar / proyecto de orden
Definition: Proposed written order submitted to the judge for signature.
E
E-Discovery (Electronic Discovery)Descubrimiento electrónico (e-discovery)
Definition: Discovery focused on electronically stored information (ESI).
Entry of JudgmentRegistro de sentencia
Definition: Formal recording of the judgment in the court’s docket.
Equitable ReliefRemedio equitativo
Definition: Non-monetary remedy such as injunctions or specific performance.
EstoppelEstoppel / impedimento legal
Definition: Legal principle preventing someone from asserting a right that contradicts previous statements.
Exhibit (Civil Evidence)Exhibición / prueba documental
Definition: Document or object presented as evidence.
Expert Witness (Civil)Testigo experto
Definition: Qualified professional who offers specialized opinion testimony.
F
Fact FindingDeterminación de hechos
Definition: Process by which judge or jury decides disputed factual issues.
Fee-Shifting ProvisionCláusula de transferencia de honorarios
Definition: Rule requiring the losing party to pay the prevailing party’s attorney’s fees.
Fiduciary DutyDeber fiduciario
Definition: Legal duty to act in the best interests of another person or entity.
For Cause ChallengeImpugnación por causa
Definition: Request to remove a prospective juror due to bias.
Formal ComplaintQueja formal / denuncia formal
Definition: Official written complaint filed with a court or administrative agency.
Forum Non ConveniensForo no conveniente
Definition: Power allowing courts to dismiss a case when another forum is better suited.
G
Garnishment (Wage or Bank)Embargo de salario o de cuenta bancaria
Definition: Court-ordered seizure of a debtor’s income or assets.
General DenialNegación general
Definition: Broad response denying all material allegations in the complaint.
Good Faith EffortEsfuerzo de buena fe
Definition: Honest, reasonable attempt to meet obligations or comply with discovery.
Guardian ad LitemTutor ad litem
Definition: Court-appointed representative protecting the interests of a minor.
H
Hearing (Civil)Audiencia (civil)
Definition: Court session to resolve motions or procedural issues.
HearsayTestimonio de oídas / Hearsay
Definition: An out-of-court statement offered to prove the truth of the matter asserted.
Hold Harmless AgreementAcuerdo de indemnidad
Definition: Contract clause where one party agrees not to hold the other liable.
Hostile Witness (Civil)Testigo hostil
Definition: Witness aligned with the opposing side or uncooperative.
I
Impeachment (Civil Witness)Impugnación del testigo
Definition: Challenging a witness’s credibility using prior inconsistent statements.
Indemnification ClauseCláusula de indemnización
Definition: Contract term requiring one party to reimburse another for specified losses.
Injunction (Temporary or Permanent)Interdicto / orden judicial (temporal o permanente)
Definition: Court order requiring a party to do or stop doing specific acts.
Initial Disclosures (Rule 26)Revelaciones iniciales (Regla 26)
Definition: Early exchange of basic case info required in federal procedure.
InterrogatoriesInterrogatorios escritos
Definition: Written questions served on another party that must be answered under oath.
InterventionIntervención
Definition: Procedure by which a third party may join an ongoing lawsuit.
J
JoinderAcumulación de acciones o partes
Definition: Inclusion of additional claims or parties in a single legal action.
Joint StipulationEstipulación conjunta
Definition: Written agreement between parties on facts or procedures.
JudgmentSentencia / fallo
Definition: Final court decision resolving claims in a case.
Judgment Creditor / Judgment DebtorAcreedor por sentencia / deudor por sentencia
Definition: Creditor is the winning party; debtor is the losing party who must pay.
JurisdictionJurisdicción
Definition: The official power to make legal decisions and judgments.
Jury InstructionsInstrucciones al jurado
Definition: Instructions given by the judge concerning the law of the case.
K
Key EvidencePrueba clave
Definition: Evidence that strongly supports or undermines a party’s claims.
Knowledge Requirement (Civil)Requisito de conocimiento
Definition: Legal element requiring that a party knew or should have known about a risk.
L
Liability WaiverRenuncia de responsabilidad
Definition: Agreement in which a person gives up the right to sue for certain risks.
Lien (Civil Claim)Gravamen
Definition: Legal claim against property to secure payment of a debt.
Limited Scope RepresentationRepresentación de alcance limitado
Definition: Arrangement in which an attorney handles only parts of a case.
Lis PendensAviso de litigio pendiente
Definition: A written notice that a lawsuit has been filed concerning real estate.
Litigation HoldRetención de litigio
Definition: Instruction to preserve documents that may be relevant to a lawsuit.
M
MediationMediación
Definition: Non-binding process where a neutral mediator helps negotiate a settlement.
Mitigation of DamagesMitigación de daños
Definition: Duty of an injured party to take steps to reduce further harm.
Motion in LimineMoción in limine
Definition: A pretrial motion asking the court to rule on evidence admissibility.
Motion to CompelMoción para obligar
Definition: Request asking the court to order a party to comply with discovery.
Motion to Dismiss (Civil)Moción de desestimación
Definition: Motion asking the court to dismiss a case for legal defects.
N
NegligenceNegligencia
Definition: Failure to exercise reasonable care, resulting in harm.
Notice of DepositionAviso de deposición
Definition: Written notice scheduling a deposition and identifying the deponent.
Notice to ProduceAviso para producir documentos
Definition: Request that a party produce documents or electronic records.
Nuisance ClaimReclamación por molestias / perjuicio
Definition: Claim alleging interference with use and enjoyment of property.
O
Objection (Civil)Objeción
Definition: Formal challenge to questions or evidence.
Offer of ProofOferta de prueba
Definition: Explanation to the judge about what excluded evidence would have shown.
Order to Show Cause (OSC)Orden para demostrar causa
Definition: Order requiring a party to explain why relief should not be granted.
Oversight (Discovery)Omisión / descuido en el descubrimiento
Definition: Unintentional failure to disclose required information.
P
Peremptory ChallengeRecusación perentoria
Definition: The right to dismiss a potential juror without stating a valid cause.
PlaintiffDemandante
Definition: Party who initiates a civil lawsuit seeking legal relief.
PleadingAlegato
Definition: Formal written statement of a party's claims or defenses.
Preponderance of the EvidencePreponderancia de la prueba
Definition: Standard of proof; means “more likely true than not.”
Pretrial ConferenceConferencia previa al juicio
Definition: Meeting to narrow issues, set deadlines, and discuss settlement.
Privilege LogListado de documentos privilegiados
Definition: List describing documents withheld on grounds of privilege.
Production of DocumentsProducción de documentos
Definition: Delivery of requested documents or ESI during discovery.
Protective Order (Civil)Orden de protección (civil)
Definition: Order regulating discovery to prevent harassment or sensitive disclosure.
Q
Quantum MeruitQuantum meruit
Definition: Doctrine allowing compensation for services when no contract exists.
Quash (Motion to Quash)Anular / invalidar (una citación)
Definition: Motion asking the court to void or limit a subpoena.
Question of LawCuestión de derecho
Definition: Legal issue decided by the judge, such as interpreting statutes.
R
Rebuttal EvidencePrueba de refutación
Definition: Evidence introduced to counter or disprove the opposing party’s proof.
Request for AdmissionsSolicitud de admisiones
Definition: Discovery request asking a party to admit or deny statements.
Request for Production (RFP)Solicitud de producción de documentos
Definition: Written demand for documents or items relevant to the case.
Res JudicataCosa juzgada
Definition: Doctrine that a final judgment on the merits bars re-litigation.
Reservation of Rights LetterCarta de reserva de derechos
Definition: Letter stating that a party is participating but not waiving rights.
S
Sanctions (Civil)Sanciones (civiles)
Definition: Penalties for failure to comply with court orders or discovery rules.
Service of ProcessNotificación procesal
Definition: The delivery of legal documents such as a summons or complaint.
Settlement AgreementAcuerdo de conciliación / acuerdo de transacción
Definition: Contract by which parties resolve a dispute and dismiss claims.
Standing (Legal Standing)Legitimación activa
Definition: Requirement that a party has sufficient interest to bring a lawsuit.
Statute of LimitationsEstatuto de limitaciones / prescripción
Definition: A law setting a time limit on legal action.
StipulationEstipulación
Definition: Agreement between opposing attorneys on a matter relating to trial.
SubpoenaCitación / comparendo
Definition: A writ ordering a person to attend a court.
Subpoena Duces TecumCitación para presentar documentos
Definition: Subpoena requiring a person to bring documents to a hearing.
Summary JudgmentJuicio sumario
Definition: Judgment rendered when there is no dispute of material fact.
T
Third-Party ComplaintDemanda de tercero
Definition: Claim by a defendant against a non-party who may be liable.
TortAgravio / acto ilícito civil
Definition: Civil wrong causing injury or property damage.
Trial BriefEscrito de juicio
Definition: Written summary of legal issues submitted before trial.
U
Unclean Hands DoctrineDoctrina de manos sucias
Definition: Principle that a party seeking relief must have acted fairly.
Undisputed FactHecho no disputado
Definition: Fact accepted as true by all parties.
V
Venue (Civil)Competencia territorial / jurisdicción territorial
Definition: Proper geographic location where a lawsuit may be filed.
VerdictVeredicto
Definition: The decision of a jury.
Verified ComplaintDemanda verificada / querella verificada
Definition: Complaint signed under oath as to the truth of allegations.
Voir DireVoir dire / selección del jurado
Definition: The process of questioning prospective jurors.
W
Waiver of ServiceRenuncia a la notificación formal
Definition: Document by which a defendant accepts the complaint without formal service.
Witness List (Civil)Lista de testigos (civil)
Definition: List of witnesses a party intends to call at trial.
Work Product DoctrineDoctrina del producto del trabajo del abogado
Definition: Protection for an attorney’s mental impressions and strategies.
X
X-ExhibitExhibit “X” / Exhibición “X”
Definition: Placeholder designation for an exhibit when the exact label is not yet assigned.
Y
Yielding Party (Settlement)Parte que cede
Definition: Party who agrees to compromise or reduce claims to reach settlement.
Z
Zero Damages JudgmentSentencia sin daños monetarios
Definition: Judgment finding liability but awarding no monetary damages.
Zoning Variance Dispute (Civil)Disputa por variación de zonificación
Definition: Civil case challenging the grant or denial of a zoning variance.