Charge: Form of security for payment of a debt.

Chattels: Moveable items of property which are neither land nor permanently attached to land or a building. (Land or buildings are described as “real property”.) Chattels are also known as personal property (or personalty). A freehold property is not a chattel, but a leasehold is.

Cheque: Form of bill of exchange where the order to pay is given to a bank holding the payor”s funds.

Child: Person under 18.

Circuit Court: Court above the District Court and below the High Court, with power to award damages up to £30,000.

Circuit Judge: Judge of the Circuit Court, addressed as “My Lord” whether male or female.

Class action: Legal action taken by a number of different persons where the facts and the defendants are similar. Class action lawsuits may occur, for example, after a public transport accident or in the case of a faulty drug, where all the victims sue the same defendant.

Clayton”s Case: This English case established a presumption that money withdrawn from an account is presumed to be debited against the money first deposited (first in, first out).

Codicil: Written amendment or addition to an existing will.

Collateral: Property committed to guarantee a loan.