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.