Terms Used In Alabama Code 37-14-13

  • Appeal: A request made after a trial, asking another court (usually the court of appeals) to decide whether the trial was conducted properly. To make such a request is "to appeal" or "to take an appeal." One who appeals is called the appellant.
  • Appellate: About appeals; an appellate court has the power to review the judgement of another lower court or tribunal.
  • circuit: means judicial circuit. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
  • Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • Habeas corpus: A writ that is usually used to bring a prisoner before the court to determine the legality of his imprisonment. It may also be used to bring a person in custody before the court to give testimony, or to be prosecuted.
  • Plaintiff: The person who files the complaint in a civil lawsuit.
  • state: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the several territories of the United States. See Alabama Code 1-1-1

At the time and place designated in said order, the judge of said circuit court shall proceed to hear and determine all questions of law and of fact in said civil action, and he shall make such order, or orders, as to the proceedings in said civil action as will best preserve and protect the interests of all parties and to enable him to enter a final judgment with the least possible delay. The final judgment shall find the facts specially and shall state separately the judge’s conclusions with regard to any and all legal issues raised with regard to any of the provisions of this article and proposed purchase and sale of distribution facilities and other transactions and restrictions under this article, together with other matters raised in the complaint, and shall state the judge’s conclusions of law thereon. Any citizen of the state may appear in such proceedings, either personally or by attorney, and any party thereto, whether plaintiff, defendant or intervenor, dissatisfied with the judgment of the court may appeal therefrom to the Supreme Court of Alabama in accordance with the Alabama Rules of Appellate Procedure. Such appeal shall take priority in the supreme court over all other cases therein pending, except petitions for writs of habeas corpus.