Test your legal english terminology rich collection of exercises to practice and test your knowledge of legal english terminology. Argument remarks made by an attorney to a judge or jury on the facts of the case or on points of law. Learning legal english vocabulary can make your work much easier, take the stress out of important documents and even expand your career options internationally. Teachers are often not equipped with the exact english terminology required in very specific trade sectors. His book covers the gamut of legal words from the angloamerican or common law of english speaking countries to the roman or civil law of spain and latin america. But there are still legal phrases that baffle nonlawyers. The nature and history of english legal language b. English reports a set of 176 volumes containing reprints of the nominate reports, the most important court decisions in england and wales up to 1865. Scotland and northern ireland have separate court systems, which, while similar, are not identical. Abduction the offense of taking away a wife, child, or ward, by deceitful persuasion, force, or violence. For guidance with researching eu law, see the european union research guide.
Company law known as corporate law in some countries refers to the formation and governance of corporate entities. Click on the free exercises to practice your understanding of legal terms in english. In the uk, the responsible body is the corporate law and governance directorate of the department for. For example, a lawyer may say, the court sustained the objection, in describing a ruling made by the judge or magistrate judge handling the case. Administrative procedure the way an executive government agency makes and. Glossary of legal and related terms and courthouse signs. Solicitors are the experts when it comes to the law and how it affects you. It refers to the appointment by the court of one party to act in a legal action on behalf of another party. Basic legal terminology that may be covered in the texas legal interpreting written test.
Glossary of legal latin a fortiori from stronger argument used to express a conclusion for which there is stronger evidence than for a previously accepted one ab initio from the beginning if a contract is void say for mistake ab initio, this has the consequence that no. English language reference including definitions of english grammar terms, irregular verbs, phrasal verbs and idioms. Crown prosecution service cps the cps is the organisation that prosecutes criminal cases investigated by the police in england and wales. The following definitions are intended to be helpful, but they are not intended to constitute legal advice or address every possible meaning of the terms contained in this glossary. Glossary of basic legal terms definitions money instructor. One of three types of contractual terms, the others being accidentialia negotii and naturalia negotii. Alibi a defense claim that the accused was somewhere else at the time a.
The most important aspect of legal english is the use of the right terminology. Listen as many times as you need to to the spoken esl legal vocabulary. First, as a law student, you must learn a large body of factual material about the fundamental concepts of law, the sources of english law, and the institutions and the personnel of the law. Acronym that stands for also known as and introduces any alternative or assumed names or aliases of an individual. It is based upon our many years experience of teaching and working with lawyers, law students and legal translators from around. The easiesttoread, most userfriendly guide to legal terms.
Glossary provided courtesy of the state of maryland, administrative office of the courts 1. The english court structure is complicated and in places confusing, because it has developed over 1,000 years rather than being designed from scratch. A category for legal phrases or terms used in england and wales and, to a limited extent, other english speaking countries subcategories. A guardian ad litem is a person appointed by the court to protect the interests of minors or legally incompetent persons in legal actions.
In this article, youll learn more than 60 of the most important legal english vocabulary words for courts and crimes, property law and contracts. A separate court of equity could order someone to do something or to cease to do something e. Handbook language training on the vocabulary of judicial. The coexistence of english and scots legal systems b.
Glossary of legal terms and phrases the inner temple library. Glossary of legal and related terms, and courthouse signs english portuguese revised 022014, cn 11783 english portuguese page 1 of 29. A lawyer is in the best position to advise you about your legal rights and responsibilities. Basic principles of english contract law introduction this guide is arranged in the following parts.
The english court system is twotiered with one branch for civil cases and one for criminal cases. First there is a simple recording and then a video of the flashcards as well as the pronunciation. Wholly oral wholly written partly oral and partly written. Different terms may have different meanings based on the specific area of law or the context in which they are being used. Glossary provided courtesy of the state of maryland.
The judicial branch does not warrant the accuracy of the information contained in this list nor is it responsible for any errors or omissions and assumes no liability for its use. Many lawyers are now adopting a plain english style. I formation of a contract ii contents of a contract iii the end of a contract i formation of a contract 1. This glossary is also available as a pdf adobe acrobat reader required. Traditionally the lex fori governs questions of procedure, regardless of the lex causae. Lawyers often refer to the judge or magistrate judge presiding over their case in the third person as the court. From the beginning accessorius sequitur definition. English legal system an overview introduction the study of the english legal system involves two different, but related processes. Abandon v abate v to abate a nuisance abatement abdicate v abdication abduct v abduction abet v to aid and abet abetment abeyance in abeyance ab initio abode abolish v to abolish slavery. Then, the record of the court proceedings and decision in french had to be translated back into english to inform the parties of their rights and duties. In english legal history, the courts of law could order the payment of damages and could afford no other remedy see damages. For legal terms not referred to in this glossary, or for more. In criminal law, the constitutional guarantee that a defendant will receive a fair and impartial trial. Browse our collection of pdf lesson plans and worksheets about law for english language teachers, complete with answers and teachers notes.
Accomplice someone who helps another person to commit a crime. The law can be complicated and it is often described in technical terminology that many people might find unfamiliar. Controls the relationship between the governments and the people who live in society. Test your legal english terminology anglofon studio. This legal glossary is a basic guide to common legal terms. English french legal glossary wisconsin court system. This glossary provides short definitions of legal terms you will find on this website. One who is an accessory to the crime cannot be guilty of a more serious crime than the principal offender actus reus. The higher court is limited to considering whether the lower court erred on a question of law or gave a decision plainly contrary to the evidence presented in the trial. An easytounderstand guide to the language of law from the dictionary experts at merriamwebster. This research guide applies only to the law of england and wales. Terms are to be distinguished from statements made prior to the contract being made.
The following are recordings of the esl legal vocabulary being spoken by a native english speaker so you can hear the correct pronunciation. Legal english vocabulary for the courtroom and beyond. The terms and explanations are for the law in england and wales. A contract is an agreement giving rise to obligations which are enforced or recognised by law. Englisharabic legal glossary sacramento superior court. Pertaining to civil suits in equity rather than in law. In general, the vocabulary of legal english is characterized by a great degree of formality. Adjective adj headwords for adjectives followed by information in square brackets only before a noun and not before a noun show any restrictions on where they can be used. There is no branch for administrative law and no constitutional court. Glossary of legal terminology english arabic 472 words ayman khatib arabic interpreter and translator khalil ansara arkan rule of law team in west bank and gaza 1. Robb has consulted dictionaries from spain, mexico, and argentina as well as the royal academy and, of course, blacks and ballentines law dictionaries. This list of common legal words was compiled by the connecticut judicial branch solely as a public service. Accessory someone who encourages or helps another person to commit a crime.
The a to z guide to legal phrases plain english campaign. A term to indicate another name by which a person is known. Family law glossary of common terms and definitions note. Acceptor the organisation such as a bank which will pay the cheque or bill of exchange it has accepted. The definition list below gives latin to english translations for the most commonly used latin law terms. Express or implied contractual terms that are required either by law or by the contracts subject matter. Language training on the vocabulary of judicial cooperation. Billboards are usually called hoardings in british english blueprint n c a plan for achieving or improving something glossary of business terms adjective adj headwords for adjectives followed by information in square brackets only before a noun and not before a noun show any restrictions on where they can be used. Law loi law clerk greffier lawyer avocat lay a foundation v expliquer son. Glossary of legal terminology most frequently used terms glossary of legal terminology edited and expanded by john lombardi aka. The lawyers english language coursebook was written for legal professionals such as you, with your needs at the heart of the book, and it gives you the material you need to study in an efficient and effective way. Affidavit a written statement in which the facts stated are sworn or affirmed to be true. This vocabulary can be used in english for specific purposes classes as a starting point for including vocabulary study relating to anything related law and practicing legal services. Consists of laws that list the rights and obligations of each person in society.
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