Legal glossary
Plain-English definitions of common Canadian legal terms you'll see across FlatLaws.
- Uncontested Divorce
- A divorce where both spouses agree on all terms (parenting, support, property division) and no court trial is needed.
- Power of Attorney
- A legal document authorizing another person to act on your behalf — typically for financial decisions or personal care.
- Probate
- The court-supervised process of validating a will and distributing the deceased's estate.
- Express Entry
- Canada's federal immigration system for skilled workers seeking permanent residence.
- Small Claims
- Provincial court for civil disputes under a fixed dollar amount (e.g. $35,000 in Ontario).
- Retainer
- An advance payment to a lawyer for legal services; flat-fee work typically replaces an open-ended retainer.
- Title Search
- A legal review of a property's ownership history performed during a real-estate purchase.
- Wrongful Dismissal
- Termination of employment without reasonable notice or just cause.
More definitions coming — full glossary is in production.