- BANKRUPTCY: Refers to statutes and judicial proceedings involving persons or businesses that cannot pay their debts and seek the assistance of the court in getting a fresh start. Under the protection of the bankruptcy court, debtors may be released from or "discharged" from their debts, perhaps by paying a portion of each debt. Bankruptcy judges preside over these proceedings.
- BENCH TRIAL: A trial without a jury where a judge decides the facts.
- BEST EVIDENCE: The original document. For example, the original receipt is the best evidence. A photocopy is secondary evidence. Under the Federal Rules of Evidence a photocopy is sufficient for court.
- BREACH: A violation in the performance of or a failure to perform an obligation created by a promise, duty, or law without excuse or justification
- BRIEF: A written statement prepared by a party in a lawsuit to argue to the court its view of the facts and applicable law.
- BURDEN OF PROOF: The duty or responsibility to affirmatively prove a fact or facts in dispute on an issue raised between the parties. Standards of proof which must be proven in a civil case by a plaintiff include "beyond a reasonable doubt," "by a preponderance of the evidence" and "clear and convincing evidence."
