Arrears: Accumulated debt which has not been paid on the due date.

Assault: Touching – or threatened touching – of another person, without that person”s consent.

Assign: To give or transfer responsibility to another person. The person who receives the right or property is the assignee the assignor is the person giving.

Attachment and committal: Bringing a person before a court, with a threat of imprisonment for failure to obey a court order.

Attachment of earnings: Court order for deduction of salary at source in order to pay, for example, maintenance or a debt.

Attorney General: Legal adviser to the Government, appointed by the President on the advice of the party in power.

Audi alteram partem: (Latin: hear the other side) A principle of natural justice which requires that, where a decision may affect an individual”s rights, that person has a right to be heard. It includes the right to receive notice of a hearing and to be legally represented.

Bailee: Person who accepts property through a contract of bailment, from the bailor, and who has certain duties of care while the property remains in his possession.

Bailment: Temporary transfer of goods by a bailor to a bailee (for example, for storage), after which the property is either returned to the bailor or disposed of according to the contract of bailment.

Barrister: Specialist in litigation and advocacy who receives instructions from a solicitor. Barristers may not normally deal directly with members of the public.