What is it called when lawyers argue?

Asked by: Prof. Erik Jones  |  Last update: June 10, 2025
Score: 4.6/5 (39 votes)

oral argument - An opportunity for lawyers to summarize their position before the court in an appeal and also to answer the judges' questions.

What is it called when a lawyer argues a case?

Argument: Closing Statements, the presentation of the review of the evidence and summation by the parties at the end of the case, after all of the evidence is presented and both parties have rested.

What is a legal argument called?

brief. 1) n. a written legal argument, usually in a format prescribed by the courts, stating the legal reasons for the suit based on statutes, regulations, case precedents, legal texts, and reasoning applied to facts in the particular situation.

What is a legal dispute called?

Action, Case, Suit, Lawsuit: A legal dispute brought into court for a hearing or trial. Parties: The plaintiff and defendant in the case - also called the “litigants.”

What is a conflict for a lawyer?

[8] Even where there is no direct adverseness, a conflict of interest exists if there is a significant risk that a lawyer's ability to consider, recommend or carry out an appropriate course of action for the client will be materially limited as a result of the lawyer's other responsibilities or interests.

Why do the same lawyers get to argue Supreme Court cases?

32 related questions found

What is an ethical conflict as a lawyer?

One of the most frequent ethical dilemmas in legal practice is the conflict of interest. This occurs when a lawyer's duty to one client is compromised by their duty to another client, a third party, or their own interests.

What is conflict vs dispute in law?

While the terms “dispute” and “conflict” are often used interchangeably in practice, the term “conflict” more accurately describes the depth of the issue, whereas “dispute” merely captures the presenting surface issue. The term “resolution” implies that conflicts or disputes may be settled once and for all.

What is the legal term for disagreement?

Dispute - FindLaw Dictionary of Legal Terms.

What are some legal terms?

Party: A person or legal entity that is named as a plaintiff or defendant on legal papers. Paternity: Legal fatherhood. Pendente lite order: A court order made before final orders are granted. Peremptory Challenge: The rejection of a prospective juror by the attorneys in a case, without having to give a reason.

What is the legal word for dispute?

controversy. n. 1) disagreement, argument or quarrel. 2) a dispute, which must be an actual contested issue between parties in order to be heard by a court. The U.S. Supreme Court particularly requires an "actual controversy" and avoids giving "what if" advisory opinions.

What is a synonym for argue in law?

assertion, case, claim, contention, debate, discussion, exchange, logic, plea, questioning, reason, reasoning.

What is a legal fight called?

Mutual Combat might sound like something out of a movie, but the term actually describes a situation where two people willingly engage in a fight or physical confrontation.

What are court arguments called?

Although some cases are decided based on written briefs alone, many cases are selected for an "oral argument" before the court. Oral argument in the court of appeals is a structured discussion between the appellate lawyers and the panel of judges focusing on the legal principles in dispute.

What is a lawyers written argument called?

brief - A written statement submitted by the lawyer for each side in a case that explains to the judge(s) why they should decide the case (or a particular part of a case) in favor of that lawyer's client.

Do lawyers argue or debate?

Great lawyers are masters of analysis, not oral argument. Presenting a case in court is rarely argumentative. Trial lawyers present facts with an understanding of the outcome they want to achieve, and then they apply the law to those facts in briefs to the judge.

What is it called when a lawyer does something wrong?

Attorneys have a duty to their clients use such skill, prudence, and diligence as members of the legal profession commonly possess and exercise (the “standard of care”). Malpractice occurs when the attorney breaches that duty; and the breach causes injury; and the injury causes actual loss or damage.

What are fighting words in legal terms?

Fighting words are defined as words “which by their very utterance inflict injury or tend to incite an immediate breach of the peace.” As the Supreme Court explained in Chaplinsky, “[s]uch utterances are no essential part of any exposition of ideas, and are of such slight social value as a step to truth that any ...

What is the opposing party in law?

An adverse party is the other side of a lawsuit, the opposite party , one with opposing interests. If there are numerous parties and claims , parties may be in agreement on some matters and adverse on some issues. For example, the adverse party for a defendant is the plaintiff .

What words do lawyers use?

The following definitions will make it easier for you to understand common legal words and phrases used frequently during a trial.
  • Action, Case, Suit. A legal dispute brought into court for a hearing or trial.
  • Answer. ...
  • Acquit. ...
  • Cause of Action. ...
  • Challenge for Cause. ...
  • Closing Argument. ...
  • Complaint. ...
  • Counterclaim.

What is the legal term for unfair terms?

Unconscionable is an adjective that means without a conscience; unscrupulous; so unfair or unjust that it s hocks the conscience . The adjective is frequently used in the context of contract law for contracts that have grossly oppressive and unfair terms .

What is disagreement in law?

Individuals within the same jurisdiction often have different perceptions of the legal system, a phenomenon we call legal disagreement.

What is a synonym for professional disagreement?

animosity, antagonism, argument, bickering, clash, conflict, controversy, debate, difference, discord, dissent, disunity, division, feud, fight, friction, hostility, misunderstanding, opposition, spat, split, squabble, strife, tension, wrangle.

What does lawyer conflict mean?

If a conflict is found it usually means the attorney cannot represent you because they owe a duty of loyalty to a past or former client.

What is the difference between disputes and argues?

The word “claim” is the key here. To dispute is to counter a specific position or “claim”. As in “I disputed the bill with the waiter” meaning I disagreed with the amount on the bill. Argue is more general - “I argued that restaurants have gotten too expensive” to extend the example.

What are disputes in law?

A dispute is a disagreement, argument , or controversy —often one that gives rise to a legal proceeding (such as arbitration , mediation , or a lawsuit ). The opposing parties are said to be adverse to one another (see also adverse party ).