Glossary - Abuse and Family Violence

In Abuse and Family Violence, Family Law, Tribunals and Courts

Direct examination is when one party, or their lawyer if they have one, questions their own witnesses. These are witnesses you ask to testify or speak in support of your court case.

Direct examination is also called examination-in-chief.

In Abuse and Family Violence, Family Law

Duty counsel are private lawyers or Legal Aid Ontario staff lawyers who give legal help right away to people who appear in court that day without a lawyer if their income is low enough.

They give free legal advice and can help negotiate and settle issues, but they cannot take on a whole case or represent a person at trial.