LEGAL PROCEDURE Meaning and
Definition
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Legal procedure refers to the established process and set of rules followed by courts and other legal bodies in the implementation of justice and the resolution of disputes. It encompasses the series of formal steps and methods employed to address legal matters and safeguard individual rights within the framework of the law.
As an integral part of the judicial system, legal procedures provide structure and consistency to legal proceedings, ensuring fairness, equality, and due process. These procedures vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, but typically involve a sequence of actions that need to be taken by parties involved in a legal dispute or by legal authorities in the conduct of their duties.
Legal procedures include various components such as filing legal documents, service of process, pre-trial conferences, discovery (the exchange of evidence and information), motions, trial, and ultimately the rendering of a judgment or verdict. Adherence to these procedures is crucial to safeguard the rights of all parties involved, guaranteeing that each party has the opportunity to present their case, challenge evidence, cross-examine witnesses, and exercise their legal rights at every stage of the process.
The purpose of legal procedures is to ensure that justice is administered fairly and impartially, promoting the rule of law and providing parties with a predictable and consistent framework for resolving their disputes within a lawful and orderly manner.
Etymology of LEGAL PROCEDURE
The word "legal procedure" does not have a specific etymology as it is a combination of two common words used in the context of law.
The word "legal" is derived from the Latin word "legālis", which means "of or pertaining to the law". It can be traced back to the Latin word "lex", meaning "law" or "statute".
The word "procedure" comes from the Latin word "procedere", which means "to go forward" or "to advance". It is a combination of the prefix "pro-" (meaning "forward") and "cedere" (meaning "to go" or "to yield").
When combined, "legal procedure" refers to the established rules and steps that govern how a legal case or matter is conducted in a court or legal system.
