Word List: Verdict, Jurisdiction, Defendant, Plaintiff, Negotiate, Plea bargain, Arbitration, Mediation, Litigation, Class action

Story:

The court room was silent as the judge read the verdict. The case had been a long and difficult one, and the outcome was far from clear. The defendant, a well-known business tycoon, was accused of fraud and embezzlement. The plaintiff, a small business owner, claimed that the tycoon had taken advantage of him and used his resources to steal his business.

The judge read the verdict, and the tycoon was found guilty. The small business owner was overjoyed, but the tycoon’s lawyers immediately filed an appeal, claiming that the court did not have the proper jurisdiction to hear the case.

The case went to a higher court, and after another long and complicated trial, the verdict was overturned. The tycoon was found not guilty, and the small business owner was left with nothing. He was devastated and felt that the justice system had failed him.

However, the small business owner was not ready to give up. He knew that he had a strong case, and he did not want to let the tycoon get away with his crimes. He and his lawyers decided to try and negotiate a settlement outside of court. They offered the tycoon a plea bargain, which would require him to admit guilt and pay a large fine, in exchange for not having to face criminal charges.

The tycoon agreed to the plea bargain, and the small business owner finally got some measure of justice. He was able to rebuild his business and get his life back on track, but he never forgot the long and difficult journey that he had to take to get there.

In many cases, negotiating a settlement outside of court through methods such as arbitration or mediation can be a more efficient and effective way to resolve a dispute than litigation. However, when the stakes are high and the issues are complex, a class action lawsuit may be the only way to get the justice that is deserved.

Vocabulary:

1. Verdict
   • a decision made by a court or jury in a trial
   • Decision, Judgment, Finding
2. Jurisdiction
   • the power or right of a court to hear and make a decision on a case
   • Authority, Dominion, Control
3. Defendant
   • a person or organization that is being sued or accused of a crime in a court of law
   • Accused, Suspect, Respondent
4. Plaintiff
   • a person or organization that brings a lawsuit against another person or organization in a court of law
   • Complainant, Claimant, Prosecute
5. Negotiate
   • to try to reach an agreement or compromise with someone through discussion
   • Bargain, Deal, Confer
6. Plea bargain
   • an agreement between a defendant and the prosecution in a criminal case, in which the defendant agrees to plead guilty to a lesser charge in exchange for a more lenient sentence
   • Compromise, Arrangement, Accord