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Legal-Terminology

The document outlines key legal terminology related to media laws and ethics, including definitions of bills, acts, ordinances, regulations, statutes, codes, norms, conventions, and various legal roles such as plaintiff and defendant. It explains the processes of law-making and the importance of legal concepts like conviction, evidence, and precedent. Additionally, it highlights terms like prima facie and sub-judice that pertain to legal proceedings and their implications.

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Nehal Kapoor
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5 views

Legal-Terminology

The document outlines key legal terminology related to media laws and ethics, including definitions of bills, acts, ordinances, regulations, statutes, codes, norms, conventions, and various legal roles such as plaintiff and defendant. It explains the processes of law-making and the importance of legal concepts like conviction, evidence, and precedent. Additionally, it highlights terms like prima facie and sub-judice that pertain to legal proceedings and their implications.

Uploaded by

Nehal Kapoor
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Media Laws and Ethics

Unit 1
Legal Terminology
Bills and Acts, Ordinance, Regulations, Statute, Code, Norms, Conventions, Affidavit, Accused,
Acquittal, Bail, Conviction, Defendant, Evidence, Plaintiff, Prosecution, Prima Facie,
Sub-Judice

Bills and Acts

Bill: Draft of a law given for discussion before a governing body so that it can be accepted or
rejected.

Act: An established law created from an approved Bill that has successfully cleared the
legislature and has received the consent of the head (President/Governor).

Ordinance

A law is issued by the executive (President/Governor) when the legislature is not in session. It
should be placed before the legislature after a certain period has lapsed for approval. In the
meantime, it has the same force as an Act.

Regulations

Further provisions made under the authority of an Act that explain fully how the Act should be
applied and managed. They are made by a body or person in charge of administering or
overseeing a particular business.

Statute

Legislation that is passed by the Parliament or Congress at the national level. The legal policies
that are established are often targeted towards major aspects like taxation, criminal law,
marriage, etc.

Code
A compilation of laws of a particular subject organized in an orderly manner (e.g. Indian Penal
Code, Civil Procedure Code). It is the collection of laws for unification and orderly
understanding of statutes.

Norms

Social rules and guidelines that are followed without being codified, which govern a person's
actions and decisions. They can either elevate into laws or aid in the interpretation of laws.

Conventions

Legal agreements entered into by various nations that possess international legal stature (e.g.
Geneva Conventions, Vienna Convention). It can also pertain to traditions that have been
established as common practice in a specific field of law.

Conviction

A legal finding that an accused person is guilty of the crime charged, leading to sentencing or
punishment.

Defendant

The person or entity against whom a lawsuit or criminal case is filed in court.

Evidence

Material or information presented in court to prove or disprove a fact (e.g., documents, witness
testimony, forensic reports).

Plaintiff

The person or entity who initiates a legal case (lawsuit) against another party in a civil court.

Prosecution

The legal process of charging and trying an accused person in a criminal case. The
government, represented by a prosecutor, argues the case against the accused.

Prima Facie
A Latin term meaning “at first sight” or “on the face of it”. It refers to evidence that appears to
be sufficient to prove a case unless disproved by further evidence.

Sub-Judice

A Latin term meaning “under judicial consideration”. A case that is pending in court and
cannot be publicly discussed until a verdict is given.

Precedent

A previous legal decision that serves as an authoritative example for future similar cases.
Courts often follow precedents to ensure consistency in the law.

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