Legal Glossary

immunity - Legal protection from liability. There are many categories of immunity in civil and criminal law. For example, sovereign immunity protects government agencies from civil liability and judicial immunity protects judges acting in their official capacities.

impanel - To seat a jury. When voir dire is finished and both sides have exercised their challenges, the jury is impanelled. The jurors are sworn in and the trial is ready to proceed.

impeachment of witness - in camera - In a judge's chambers; in private.

incapacity - Those who are needy and poor, or those who have not sufficient property to furnish a living nor anyone able to support them to whom they are entitled to look for support.

information - The first paper filed in criminal prosecution which states the crime of which the defendant is accused.

injunction - A court order forbidding or requiring a certain action.

in loco parentis - "In the place of the parent"; refers to actions of a custodian, guardian or other person acting in the parent's place.

instruction - A direction given by the judge to the jury concerning the law to be applied in the case.

inter alia - Among other things.

interlocutory - Provisional; temporary. Often used in reference to a court order that is not a final disposition of the case but decides some point or matter.

interrogatories - In the discovery phase of civil litigation these written questions are submitted by one party to another party and must be answered in writing under oath.

intervention - Procedure in a suit or action by which the court permits a third person to intervene and become a party.

intestate - The status of a person who dies without leaving a will.

intestate succession - A succession of property when the deceased has left no will, or when the will has been revoked.

irrelevant - Evidence not sufficiently related to the matter in issue.