Affidavit – a written statement in which a person makes an oath or affirmation that the content is, to the best of their knowledge, true
Civil case – an unresolved dispute between citizens, or between citizens and businesses or government
Claimant – the person who makes a claim in small claims court
Trial Conference – a formal meeting of the parties with a judge to prepare for trial
Defendant – the person who is being sued – the one the claim is made against
Mediation Session - a meeting between two or more parties to a claim for the purpose of reaching, with the assistance of a mediator, agreement on the issues in dispute
Mediator – a neutral person, with no decision-making power, who acts as a facilitator assisting the parties in communicating, especially by negotiation
Notice of Claim – the form the claimant uses to make the claim
Party – a person who is participating in a claim in small claims court
Reply – the form the defendant uses to answer the notice of claim
Serving – getting a document to another person in whatever way the law requires
Trial Statement – a form which includes a statement of facts in the order in which the events occurred, a calculation of the amount claimed, copies of the relevant documents, and a list of witnesses with a brief summary of which each witness will say