Glossary of terms
Case number
A reference number given to a case by the court. This helps identify and track the case through the court system. Different from a neutral citation, which is assigned when the judgment is published.
Civil case
A legal dispute between individuals, organisations, or both, rather than a criminal prosecution. Civil cases might involve disagreements over contracts, property, money owed, or personal injuries. The person bringing the case is the claimant, not a prosecutor.
Claimant
The person or organisation who brings a case to court in a civil matter. For example, if you're taking someone to court over a dispute, you're the claimant.
Computational analysis
Using computer programmes to automatically process and analyse large numbers of judgments. This includes activities like statistical analysis, text mining, or machine learning. If you want to do computational analysis of Find Case Law records, you need to apply for permission.
Criminal case
A case where someone is accused of committing a crime - an offence against the law. Criminal cases are usually brought by the state (through the Crown Prosecution Service), not by individuals. The accused person is called the defendant.
Criminal offence
An act that breaks the law and can be punished by the state. Criminal offences range from minor offences (like traffic violations) to serious crimes (like theft or assault). The law defines what counts as a criminal offence.