Glossary
In Family Law
An adoption consent is a document a parent signs that says they agree to place their child for adoption. The document must be signed in front of a lawyer.
If the child being adopted is 7 years or older, they usually also have to agree to their adoption. The child meets with a lawyer from the Office of the Children’s Lawyer before signing a consent.
In Family Law
Advice counsel are private lawyers or Legal Aid Ontario staff lawyers located in all family courts who give basic information on family law to anyone who wants information. For example, advice counsel can explain legal terms, how to start or respond to a court application, and the court process.
If your income is low enough, advice counsel can also give you legal advice about child custody and access, child support and spousal support, dividing property, divorce, and most other family law matters.
In Housing Law
An affidavit is a sworn statement in writing. The person making the statement must sign it after they swear an oath or promise to tell the truth, just as if they were a witness in a courtroom.
In Criminal Law
An affidavit is a document where a witness makes statements about facts that they say are true. The document must be sworn in front of an authorized person, such as a lawyer or commissioner of oaths.
In Wills and Powers of Attorney
An affidavit is a written statement that someone signs and swears is true.
An affidavit of execution is made by a witness to a will or Power of Attorney. The witness confirms that the person making the will or Power of Attorney signed it in front of both of the witnesses. The witness must also sign the affidavit.
When a person makes an affirmation, they give a formal promise that a statement is true. An affirmation may be used in place of an oath. For example, an affirmation may be used when a person isn’t able to take an oath because of religious reasons.
In Abuse and Family Violence, Elder abuse, Human Rights, Types of discrimination, Age
Ageism refers to negative attitudes and stereotypes of people who are older, and discrimination against people because of their age.
For example, it’s ageism if:
- an employer does not hire someone because the person is older and the employer thinks the person has less value than a younger worker
- a health-care practitioner talks to an older adult’s family member or caregiver when the person is mentally capable of deciding about their own treatment
In Criminal Law
An agent is someone you ask to act on your behalf. It can be a lawyer, a paralegal, a family member, or a friend. You can ask an agent to go to court for you if the offence you were charged with carries a maximum penalty of 6 months in jail and/or a $5000 fine and is:
- a summary offence, or
- a hybrid offence that the Crown has decided to handle as a summary offence.
The person acting as your agent appears in the court as if they are you.
If your case is indictable (or hybrid and the crown has not elected), you need a “designation of counsel” in order to have your lawyer or their agent appear on your behalf.
In Criminal Law
Aggravating factors are circumstances or facts that a judge can consider they are deciding your sentence. Aggravating factors can result in a tougher sentence. For example, assaulting a domestic partner or child can be an aggravating factor. The Crown must prove aggravating factors beyond a reasonable doubt.
All-in price advertising means that dealers cannot add additional fees on top of an advertised price. Exceptions that dealers can charge are HST, licensing fees, or fees for options that you ask for.