Welcome to the Family Court Glossary
This page provides a list of commonly used words and phrases you may see or hear in Family Court. The glossary is designed to help explain court terms in clear, easy-to-understand language. We hope this resource makes it easier for you to understand court information and processes.
Change in Circumstances (CIC)
- Term often used as a basis for modifying a court order.
Change of Venue
- The removal of a proceeding begun in one county or district to another county or district for trial.
Child Protective Agency
- An agency authorized by state law to protect the well- being of children. In NYC that agency is the Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) .
Collaborative Law
- process in which a couple hires specially-trained lawyers and other professionals who work to help them resolve their conflict out of court.
Consent to Marry (M Petition)
- The marriage of a minor, who is at least 14 years of age and less than 16 years of age, must have the consent of the court.
Contempt of Court
- An act or omission tending to obstruct or interfere with the orderly administration of justice or to impair the dignity of the Court or respect for its authority.
Corporation Counsel (Presentment Agency)
- A New York City agency which presents the case in support of a petition in a juvenile delinquency or designated felony case and which represents petitioners in Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA) cases.
Court Attorney Referee
- Quasi - Judicial officer empowered to hear and determine proceedings in Family Court upon referral by a judge and consent of the parties. In cases where consent is not given, Court Attorney Referees, upon referral by a judge, are empowered to hear and report.
Court Liaison Officer (CLO)
- Probation officer assigned to the court. This term is sometimes used to describe Administration of Children Service case workers assigned to the court or an individual courtroom.
De Novo
- From the beginning; a new trial.
Default
- A default occurs when a party fails to plead or otherwise defend within the time allowed or fails to appear at a court appearance.
Department of Social Services - (DSS)
- See Human Resources Administration .
Deposition
- Sworn written testimony of a witness usually made outside of the courtroom.
Dismissed
- The termination of a proceeding for a procedurally prescribed reason.
Dismissed With Prejudice
- Action dismissed, after hearing, on the merits and may not be renewed for the same cause of action. Cases dismissed with prejudice may be appealed.
Disposition
- The court’s final decision or resolution of the relief requested on the current petition.
District Attorney
- An attorney deputized as chief prosecutor whose official duty is to conduct criminal proceedings on behalf of the people against person accused of committing criminal offenses.
Docket Number
- Numbers sequentially assigned to new cases filed in the court used to identify each case.
Domicile
- A person’s primary or permanent residence.
Et al
- An abbreviation of et alia meaning “and others.”.
Ex Parte
- An application to the court made without notice to other parties; an application of only one party.
Exploration of Placement (EOP)
- a pre-dispositional directive by the Court to the Probation Department in Juvenile Delinquency and PINS cases to find a suitable place where a child can be placed.
Expunge
- The authorized act of removing and destroying information, in files, computers or other depositories.
Extra Judicial Surrender
- A written surrender of a child by a parent which is not executed and acknowledged before a judge, but executed before witnesses from an authorized agency.
Fact-Finding Hearing
- The hearing in Family Court where it will be decided if the charges are proven.