Terms Used In Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure 4918

  • 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.
  • Clerk of court: An officer appointed by the court to work with the chief judge in overseeing the court's administration, especially to assist in managing the flow of cases through the court and to maintain court records.
  • Docket: A log containing brief entries of court proceedings.
  • Pleadings: Written statements of the parties in a civil case of their positions. In the federal courts, the principal pleadings are the complaint and the answer.
  • Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.

When no written pleadings are required, the justice of the peace or the clerk of court shall record in a permanent book or case file the title of the case, the docket number, the name and address of all parties, a brief statement of the nature and amount of the claim, the issuance and service of citation, the defenses pleaded, motions and other pleas made, the names of witnesses who testified, a list of the documents offered at the trial, the rendition of judgment, and any appeal therefrom.

Acts 1986, No. 156, §1; Acts 2004, No. 679, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2005.