Glossary

In Tribunals and Courts

Damages is money awarded by the court to make up for injury or loss that a party suffered.

In Debt and Consumer Rights, Tribunals and Courts

A debtor is someone who owes money. For example, a debtor can be someone who owes money on a mortgage, car loan, line of credit, phone bill, or credit card.

In Debt and Consumer Rights, Family Law, Tribunals and Courts, Wills and Powers of Attorney

Debts are money that a person owes, for example, a mortgage, line of credit, or car loan.

In Tribunals and Courts

The defendant is the person or company being sued in court.

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 Employment and Work, Housing Law, Human Rights, Income Assistance, Tribunals and Courts

The law says that you cannot be discriminated against:

• in employment and housing
• when you buy or receive items and services
• when you make a contract
• by your union or professional association

Discrimination happens when you’re treated unfairly because of protected grounds, also called personal characteristics. Ontario’s Human Rights Code lists 17 protected grounds that include ethnic origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, family status, and disability.

In Tribunals and Courts

A disposition order is a final order from a judge. For example, you need a disposition order before an enforcement officer can seize and sell someone’s personal property.