ASB Glossary
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Words that we may use or words used in Court
Acceptable Behaviour Contract (ABC): This is an agreement signed by the person responsible for anti-social behaviour stating the behaviour that is expected of them. If breached, it may be used as evidence in Court to support further legal action.
Affidavit: A written description of events that have been witnessed by someone. This is sworn on a religious book such as the bible.
Affirm: Confirm the truth of something in Court (this is used as a non-religious alternative).
Barrister: A legal representative that can put someone’s case to the Court and question witnesses.
Breach: When the terms of an Order have not been kept.
Committal case: A case where the judge hears evidence and makes a decision whether to send the person to prison.
Complainant: The person who suffered from, and complained about, an incident of anti-social behaviour.
Contempt of Court: When someone disobeys the Court.
County Court: a Court where civil cases are heard.
Defendant: The person against whom legal proceedings are brought.
Demotion Order: An Order that ends an existing assured or secure tenancy replacing it with a tenancy with less security of tenure.
Ex Parte injunction: A type of injunction that does not require a notice to be served to the Defendant.
Hearsay evidence: Evidence based on what someone has told the witness and not of direct knowledge.
Injunction: An Order from the Court that tells someone to stop undertaking a particular action against someone else.
Interim injunction: A temporary Order made at a Court in advance of the full hearing.
Magistrates’ Court: A Court where criminal proceedings are heard and that deals with the less serious offences.
Parenting Order: An Order making a parent (of a child causing anti-social behaviour) access support to improve their parenting skills.
Perpetrator: The person causing anti-social behaviour.
Plaintiff: The person or organisation that is bringing the case to court.
Possession case: A hearing to decide if a tenant should be evicted from their home.
Possession Order: An order that entitles a landlord to legally evict a tenant.
Postponed possession Order: A Possession Order deferred on the condition that the behaviour is not repeated.
Solicitor: A legal representative who can put someone’s case to Court and obtain the use of a Barrister in Court.
Statement: A written record of events that a witness signs as a true record of what has been witnessed.
Suspended sentence: A prison sentence that is only enforced if the perpetrator breaks the Court Order within a time scale set by the judge.
Swear on oath: Confirm the truth of something in court that is sworn on a bible or other religious book.
Tenancy Agreement: A legal contract between a landlord and a tenant that defines the tenant’s right to occupy and the landlord’s right to receive rent.
Undertaking: A promise made to the Court by the perpetrator to either do or not do something.
Witness Care Unit: A service provided by the Crown Prosecution Service that offers support for victims and witnesses throughout the court process.
View a PDF of the ASB glossary.