D

Dealt with on papers When a decision is made on the basis of the documents provided by the parties without an oral hearing.

Decision A concluded determination by a judicial officer.

Defendant

1. 1. A person charged with a criminal offence.

2. 2. A person sued in a civil case.

Determination A judicial decision.

Direction A procedural order made by a judge in relation to the conduct of a proceeding.

Disclosure The provision of all relevant documents held by one party to the other.

Dissolution An order formally ending ('dissolving') a marriage or civil union. (Previously known as a ‘divorce’.)

Due process A fundamental guarantee that all legal proceedings will be fair and that one will be given notice of the proceedings and an opportunity to be heard before the state acts to take away one’s liberty or property.