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argument

argument definition - legal

The reason or reasons offered for or against something.
The formal oral or written presentation of such reasons intended to convince or persuade.
The section of an appellate or trial brief in which a party pre-sents its interpretation of the law.

closing argument

At a trial, the final statement given by the parties or their attorneys to the judge or jury, before deliberation, in which they summarize the evidence and the applicable law, present their interpretation of the same, and ask that a judgment or verdict be reached in their or their clientsÂ’ favors.

oral argument

A party or his attorneyÂ’s oral presentation to a court stating the factual and legal reasons why the court should decide a legal issue or take particular action in their favor.
The procedure by which such arguments from all parties are heard by the court.

reargument

The oral, and sometimes written, presentation of additional arguments to a court on a matter previously argued before the court, but on which no decision has yet been rendered, for the purpose of advising the court of some controlling appellate court decision or principle of law that was previously overlooked or of some misapprehension of facts. See also reconsideration and rehearing.

Webster's New World Law Dictionary Copyright © 2006 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.