Simple English definitions for legal terms
Read a random definition: Uniform Principal and Interest Act
A file is a collection of information or data that is stored on a computer. It can also refer to an official record of a case or a portion of a lawyer's case record. When you file something, you are depositing a legal document with the clerk or record custodian to have it preserved and placed into the official record. Filing can also mean starting a lawsuit.
A file is a record of a case or a collection of data stored on a computer. When you file something, you deposit a legal document with the clerk or record custodian to have it preserved and placed into the official record. Filing can also mean commencing a lawsuit.
Example 1: A lawyer's case file
When a lawyer takes on a case, they create a file to keep track of all the important information related to the case. This file includes things like evidence, witness statements, and legal documents.
Example 2: Computer files
When you save a document, picture, or video on your computer, it is stored as a file. These files can be organized into folders to make them easier to find and access.
Example 3: Filing a lawsuit
If someone wants to sue another person or company, they must file a lawsuit. This means they submit a legal document to the court to start the legal process.
These examples illustrate how a file can refer to both physical and digital records, and how filing can have different meanings depending on the context.