TermDescription
ActionSomething you can do on a case using CourtSA
Active chargeA charge that is still going and has not been finalised
AddresseeA person to whom the subpoena was addressed and therefore must comply with the order expressed in a subpoena.
Adhoc Hearing ListsHearing listings that are listed outside of set timeslots.
ADM numberAn administration number that is allocated to a request.
AffidavitA written statement confirmed by oath or affirmation, for use as evidence in court.
AppellantA person appealing or seeking a review against a judgment or order.
ApplicantA party (individual or organisation) who lodges and initiates a case (claim, cross claim or originating application) with the court. Was previously referred to as a Plaintiff on a Claim and an Applicant on an Application.
AuthorisationEndorsement or confirmation by the Presiding Officer or the Court Officer as per jurisdictional
requirements
Automatic Publication ProhibitionA legislated restriction on publication of particular case details
BackdatedTo date a cheque, invoice, letter, document, with a date earlier than the actual date
BailAn agreement in which you make an undertaking to be present through the proceedings and to comply with conditions.
Body CorporateA separate legal entity (other than a natural person) that has a legal existence.
BPointOnline system provided by the Commonwealth bank to enable the processing of telephone credit card payments
BreachWhen someone does not obey an order of the court
CalendarAn electronic chart showing the days, weeks and months of the year and displays the timeslots (diaries) available on any given day.
Card Verification Number (CVN)A three-digit security number that usually appears on the back of a credit or debit card. It is
sometimes referred to as a card security code or card verification value and it provides extra
protection against fraud
Care and ProtectionA type of matter brought under the Children and Young People (Safety) Act 2017.
Case ParticipantA person or person’s named on a case.
Chambers StaffPersonal Assistants, Judicial Assistants, Associate Judge’s Clerks, Magistrate’s Clerks, Associates, Tribunal Clerks
ChargeThe offence you are alleged to have committed
Civil caseApplications that fall within the civil area of the court
ClaimA type of case supported by pleadings (was previously referred to as a summons in the District and Supreme Courts).
Committal hearingA hearing held in the Magistrates Court to determine if there is sufficient evidence for an accused person to be committed to a higher court for trial.
Consumer Price IndexAn index which provides a measure of the change in the average cost of a standard basket of retail goods by relating the cost in the current period to that of a base period; used as a measure of inflation
Contribution ClaimA document filed by the Respondent(s) outlining the contribution of the other party for the claim.
Copy of RecordA copy of record sets out the court case history from initiation to the date of generation of the Copy of Record.
CorrespondenceIncoming and outgoing emails and documents between the court and parties
CounterclaimA cross action in which an existing party seeks final relief from the Court against another existing party.
Court fileThe Court’s record of the case.
Court OfficerRegistry staff entering the outcome
Court RequestA request for assistance by a self-represented case participant or their legal representative
for their appearance at a hearing. It also includes a request to adjourn a hearing by consent.
CourtSAThe online service where court users can initiate new cases, defend cases, lodge documents, download documents and view their case (with some exceptions).
CourtSA FormElectronic form completed and lodged using CourtSA.
CourtSA Generated documentDocument automatically produced by CourtSA based on information provided by the user when completing a CourtSA form.
Cross AppealAn appeal filed by the respondent countering the appellant’s appeal.
Cross AppellantA person who files an appeal/review which counters the appellant’s appeal/review
Cross ClaimA collective term encompassing cross claim types counterclaim, third party claim and combined counterclaim & third party claim documents.
Cross RespondentA party called to answer an appeal/review of a cross appellant
Cross ReviewA review filed by the respondent countering the appellant’s review
DebtrakThe fines and debt management system used by FERU. The CAA do not have access to this system
DefenceA document filed by the Respondent(s) in response to the claim made by the Applicant(s).
DispositionThe status of the party and/or subcase. It will be either finalised or unfinalised.
Ex parteOn the application of one party to an action in the absence of the other.
ExhibitA document or thing that is referred to in an affidavit or statutory declaration. It may be evidence tendered in court. Formerly referred to as ‘Annexures’ in some jurisdictions.
File Document Number (FDN)A consecutive numbering system assigned to documents (with some exceptions).
Filed byThe person that lodged the document or process.
Filing DateThe date the document is accepted as part of the Court record.
Final Notice of ClaimA formal notice given to a person to demand payment of monies owed (or any other remedy you are seeking) before taking further civil court action. It is a low-cost opportunity to resolve the issue before issuing a civil court claim.
FinalisedWhen the case is closed.
Fines Enforcement and Recovery UnitAn office of the Attorney-General’s Department managing new and overdue fines and debts issued by government agencies across South Australia.
First appearanceThe first time a matter appears in court
General JurisdictionApplications that fall within the criminal area of the court
HearingA proceeding before the court.
Hearing RequirementsRequests that can be made by the parties or the court relating to accessibility and safety during hearings.
Hearing Requirements – AVL HearingAt least one party to a hearing will appear at the hearing from another location using Audio Visual Link (AVL).
Hearing Requirements – Courtroom with hearing loop facilitiesAt least one party to a hearing requires the use of a courtroom with hearing loop facilities.
Hearing Requirements – Hearing loop equipmentAt least one party to a hearing requires the assistance of hearing loop equipment.
Hearing Requirements – InterpreterAt least one party to a hearing requires the assistance of an interpreter
Hearing Requirements – OtherAt least one party to a hearing has requested another form of assistance.
Hearing Requirements – Phone HearingAt least one party to a hearing will appear from another location with the aid of a Telephone connection.
Hearing Requirements – Registrar AppearA registrar is required to appear at the hearing.
Hearing Requirements – SecurityAt least one party to a hearing has requested additional security.
Hearing Requirements – Wheelchair accessible courtroomAt least one party to a hearing requires the hearing to be held in a courtroom that is wheelchair accessible.
Hearing StatusWhether the case has been listed, rescheduled, cancelled or adjourned.
Hearing Status – AdjournedThe hearing has been postponed with a new date and time.
Hearing Status – Cancelled
Hearing Status – ListedThe hearing has been set for hearing on a date and at a time.
Hearing Status – RescheduledThe hearing has been rescheduled to another date and at a time.
Hearing type – Admission hearingA hearing for the court to hear an admission.
Hearing type – Appeal hearingA hearing to appeal a decision.
Hearing type – Appeal hearing Court of AppealA hearing to appeal a decision in the Court of Appeal
Hearing type – Appeal hearing Court of Appeal part heardA hearing of an appeal in the Court of Appeal that is part heard.
Hearing type – Appeal hearing part heardA hearing of an appeal that is part heard.
Hearing type – Argument hearingA hearing for the parties to present evidence and arguments.
Hearing type – Costs taxation hearingA hearing to examine and adjust the costs claimed to have been incurred in litigation.
Hearing type – Directions hearingA directions hearing is a brief hearing. It is a chance for the presiding officer to discuss the progress of the case and give ‘directions’ to the parties.
Hearing type – Evidence on CommissionA hearing where evidence is given orally as part of a Commission.
Hearing type – Examination SummonsA hearing to examine why the judgment debtor has failed to comply with an order to pay made at a previous investigation hearing.
Hearing type – For Mention OnlyA hearing for the parties to update the court on how a matter is progressing, and deal with an administrative matter such as setting dates.
Hearing type – General hearingA hearing for an application.
Hearing type – HearingA hearing for the case to appear in court.
Hearing type – In chambers hearingA hearing outside the courtroom.
Hearing type – Initial directions hearingThe first hearing for a Claim.
Hearing type – Investigation SummonsA hearing for the Court to examine the judgment debtor’s ability to pay the debt and how the debt will be paid.
Hearing type – Judgment hearingA hearing to deliver reasons for judgment and to consider other orders such as costs.
Hearing type – Judgment made administrativelyAn order for judgment is made without a court hearing.
Hearing type – Listing conferenceA hearing to list the case for trial.
Hearing type – MediationA form of alternative dispute resolution where an independent person (a mediator) is appointed to help the parties come to agreement. Mediators do not decide the outcome of the dispute. They help the parties consider the issues and best outcome. Parties may choose to use mediation instead of going to court, or the court may order the parties to go to mediation in an attempt to resolve a dispute.
Hearing type – Minor Civil ReviewA hearing for review of a decision of a Magistrate or Judicial Registrar in a minor civil action.
Hearing type – Orders made administrativelyAn order is made without a court hearing.
Hearing type – Possession hearingA hearing to decide whether property should be taken and placed in someone else’s control.
Hearing type – Pre-trial Directions HearingA conference between parties for the purpose of narrowing down the issues and to seek agreement on which matters should be presented at the trial.
Hearing type – Settlement conferenceA hearing for a detailed discussion of a case to try to resolve the matter or narrow the issues to be determined at trial.
Hearing type – Special directions hearingThe first hearing for a claim when the pre action steps have not been complied with.
Hearing type – Summons to WitnessA hearing for a request to summons be served.
Hearing type – Suppression order review hearingA hearing to review whether a suppression order should be lifted or varied.
Hearing type – TrialA hearing in a court where all evidence is heard and a final decision is made.
Hearing type – Trial Full BenchA hearing of a trial in court before the full bench.
Hearing type – Trial Full Bench part heardA hearing of a trial in court before the full bench that is part heard.
Hearing type – Trial part heardA hearing of a trial that is part heard.
Hearing type – Trial part heard [no fee]A hearing of a trial that is part heard without a fee.
Hearing type – Trial [no fee]A hearing of a trial where no fee has been paid.
Hearing type – Warrant of ArrestA hearing for an order to be made for a Warrant of Arrest to be issued.
Hearing type – Warrant of CommitmentA hearing for a warrant of commitment.
Higher CourtsSupreme Court, District Court and Environment, Resources and Development Court.
Inactive chargeA charge that is no longer active.
IndividualA person who holds a position within an organisation and brings proceeding in that capacity. For example, a Public Officer, Chief Executive or Investigator.
InformantThe person, organisation or agency that lodges the Information and/or summons.
InformationA formal document that details the charge or charges brought against a person, where the person is suspected of having committed an offence.
Interested partyA party (whenever joined) against whom no relief is sought and whose interests are not directly and adversely affected by the claim, cross claim or originating application but who has an interest in respect of the final relief sought in an action or cross action to such an extent that the person should be joined as an interested party should be given the opportunity to be heard therein or who must be joined to be bound by the result but not as a respondent.
InterpreterA person who interprets, especially one who translates speech orally or into sign language.
InvoiceA request for payment for goods or services provided.
Judgment debtorThe party liable to pay a debt that the court has ordered them to pay.
Judicial OfficersJustices, Judges, Commissioners, Magistrates, Judicial Registrars, Special Justices.
JurisdictionThe authority of the court to decide matters before it.
Justice of the PeaceA person appointed by the Attorney-General to act as an independent and objective witness to documents people use for official or legal purposes.
Law CodeThe section and act that the offence falls under.
Law Firm CodeA unique code that is issued to a Law Firm by the Law Society of South Australia.
Legal RepresentationWhether the person is self represented or the name of the representative.
Lodge / lodging / lodgedHow a user submits court documents to the court. The action of depositing or lodging something.
MediationAn alternative dispute resolution process where the parties, with the assistance of a mediator, identify issues, develop options, consider alternatives and endeavour to reach an agreement.
Minutes of Order (Draft Orders)(a) A list of orders that a party is seeking the court to make;
(b) The outcome orders a court has made.
Non-Judicial OfficersRegistrars, Deputy Registrars, Mediators, Court Experts, Listing staff.
Non-PartyAny person that is not a party to the case, including the Media.
Notice of Alternative ContentionA responding document to an appeal where the respondent agrees with the original court/tribunal decision but believes the decision should have been based on other reasons than those provided by the court/tribunal.
NotificationsEmails automatically sent by CourtSA.
Offence DateThe date on which the offence took place.
Office HolderA person who has authority to bring a proceeding in the name of the office held by the person rather than in the name of the individual. A  person who holds a position within an organisation and bri… themselves. For example, the Commissioner of Police or a Minister.
Online lodgementLodgement using CourtSA.
OutcomeA record of what occurred and what was ordered by a presiding officer at a hearing.
Over-the-counter lodgementA document lodged over the counter in person.
PlaintiffNow referred to as ‘Applicant’.
PleadingsIs a formal statement of a cause of an action or defence. A generic statement encompassing Statement of Claim, Defence, Reply and Response lodgement types.
Practitioner CodeA unique code that is issued to an individual legal practitioner by the Law Society of South Australia.
Pre-trial conferenceA hearing where the court hears what facts or legal issues are in dispute, where the possibility of dealing with the charge other than trial is explored and if a trial is to be set the length of the trial is estimated.
Prescribed formA form prescribed by the Court Rules.
Presiding OfficersIncludes Judicial officers and non-judicial officers hearing a matter.
Probate caseApplications that fall within the probate area of the court.
Record of OutcomeA record of what happened at the court hearing.
Regular PartyAn organisation or agency that regularly lodges proceedings with the Courts. A regular party can only be selected if the applicant has been given a Regular Party code.
RejoinderA document lodged on a Claim or Cross Claim to reply to a Reply to Defence, or a document lodged on a Third Party Claim to respond to a Defence.
Related CaseAny case that has been linked to another case. If the case moves jurisdictions, gets committed or appealed there will be a related case.
ReplyA document lodged on a Claim or Cross Claim to reply to a Defence.
Requesting PartyAn individual or organisation requesting service from the CAA via CourtSA. A requesting party may include a solicitor acting on instruction from an individual or organisation.
RespondentA party (individual or organisation) against whom a case (Claim , Cross Claim or Originating Application) has been lodged or an appeal brought.
RoleThe person’s part in the case (Applicant, Respondent, Interested Party, Third Party, Fourth Party).
Special jurisdictionApplications that do not fall within the general jurisdiction.
Suitors FundA bank account that is separate from the Court’s collection account, where money is held in trust on behalf of parties in an unfinalised matter, earning interest at a rate set by the Department of Treasury & Finance, until there is a Court order or by direction of the Registrar, to action a payment out.
SummonsA document notifying a person of a court hearing on a specified date.