Legal English vocabulary is essential for anyone working in the legal field, whether they are lawyers, judges, paralegals, or legal translators. It involves a specialized set of terms and phrases that are used in legal documents, contracts, court proceedings, and other legal contexts. Here's a table of 100 legal English vocabulary terms to help you navigate this complex field.
| Vocabulary | Definition |
|---|---|
| Contract | A legally binding agreement between two or more parties. |
| Tort | A civil wrong that causes harm to another person or their property. |
| Breach of contract | The failure to fulfill the obligations of a contract. |
| Litigation | The process of taking legal action, such as filing a lawsuit, to resolve a dispute. |
| Arbitration | A process of resolving a dispute outside of court, in which a neutral third party makes a decision that is binding on both parties. |
| Mediation | A process of resolving a dispute outside of court, in which a neutral third party helps the parties reach a mutually acceptable agreement. |
| Discovery | The process of obtaining information and evidence from the other party in a legal case. |
| Deposition | A pre-trial testimony given under oath by a witness or party to a lawsuit. |
| Subpoena | A legal order requiring a person to appear in court or produce documents or other evidence. |
| Statute of limitations | A law that sets a time limit for filing a lawsuit. |
| Due diligence | The process of conducting a thorough investigation of a person or company before entering into a business transaction. |
| Intellectual property | Legal rights that protect creative works, such as patents, trademarks, and copyrights. |
| Trademark | A symbol, word, or phrase used to identify and distinguish a company's products or services. |
| Copyright | The exclusive legal right to use, reproduce, and distribute a creative work, such as a book, music, or artwork. |
| Patent | A legal right granted to an inventor or company for a new and useful invention. |
| Trade secret | Confidential information that gives a company a competitive advantage, such as a formula or process. |
| Antitrust | Laws that regulate and prevent monopolies and unfair competition. |
| Bankruptcy | A legal process in which a person or company declares that they are unable to pay their debts. |
| Consumer protection | Laws that protect consumers from unfair or deceptive business practices. |
| Environmental law | Laws that regulate the use and protection of natural resources and the environment. |
| Labor law | Laws that govern the relationship between employers and employees, such as minimum wage and anti-discrimination laws. |
| Immigration law | Laws that regulate the entry and status of non-citizens in a country. |
| Criminal law | Laws that define illegal conduct and provide for punishment of those who violate them. |
| Civil law | Laws that govern non-criminal disputes between individuals or businesses, such as contract disputes or personal injury claims. |
| Common law | A system of law based on previous court decisions and legal precedents. |
| Equity | A system of law that provides remedies for legal disputes that are not available in common law. |
| Jurisdiction | The authority of a court to hear and decide a case. |
| Venue | The geographic location where a case is heard. |
| Plaintiff | The party who initiates a lawsuit. |
| Defendant | The party who is being sued in a lawsuit. |
| Appellate court | A court that reviews decisions made by lower courts. |
| Trial court | A court that hears and decides cases in the first instance. |
| Writ of habeas corpus | A legal order requiring a person who is being detained to be brought before a court. |
| Miranda warning | A warning given by police to a suspect in custody, informing them of their rights. |
| Bail | Money or property deposited with the court to ensure that a defendant will appear for trial. |
| Grand jury | A group of citizens who hear evidence presented by prosecutors and decide whether there is enough evidence to indict a suspect. |
| Plea bargain | An agreement between a defendant and prosecutor to settle a case without going to trial. |
| Felony | A serious crime, typically punishable by imprisonment for more than one year. |
| Misdemeanor | A less serious crime, typically punishable by a fine or imprisonment for less than one year. |
| Probation | A period of supervision and restrictions imposed by the court as an alternative to imprisonment. |
| Parole | Early release from prison, subject to conditions imposed by the parole board. |
| Capital punishment | The death penalty, imposed for certain crimes in some jurisdictions. |
| Miranda rights | The rights of a suspect in custody, including the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney. |
| Search warrant | A legal order authorizing law enforcement to search a specific location for evidence. |
| Arrest warrant | A legal order authorizing law enforcement to arrest a specific person. |
| Civil rights | The rights and freedoms guaranteed to all citizens, such as the right to vote and the right to free speech. |
| Due process | The right to a fair and impartial legal process. |
| Equal protection | The right to be treated equally under the law, without discrimination based on race, gender, or other characteristics. |
| Freedom of speech | The right to express opinions and ideas without censorship or government interference. |
| Freedom of religion | The right to practice any religion or no religion without government interference. |
| Freedom of the press | The right to publish and disseminate information without censorship or government interference. |
| Freedom of assembly | The right to gather and protest peacefully without government interference. |
| Miranda v. Arizona | A landmark Supreme Court case that established the requirement for police to inform suspects of their rights. |
| Brown v. Board of Education | A landmark Supreme Court case that declared segregation in public schools to be unconstitutional. |
| Marbury v. Madison | A landmark Supreme Court case that established the principle of judicial review. |
| Roe v. Wade | A landmark Supreme Court case that established a woman's right to have an abortion. |
| Gideon v. Wainwright | A landmark Supreme Court case that established the right to a court-appointed attorney for indigent defendants. |
| Civil Rights Act of 1964 | A federal law that prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. |
| Americans with Disabilities Act | A federal law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in employment, public accommodations, and other areas. |
| Family and Medical Leave Act | A federal law that provides eligible employees with up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for family or medical reasons. |
| Occupational Safety and Health Act | A federal law that sets standards for workplace safety and health. |
| Fair Labor Standards Act | A federal law that establishes minimum wage and overtime pay requirements. |
| Equal Pay Act | A federal law that prohibits pay discrimination based on gender. |
| Age Discrimination in Employment Act | A federal law that prohibits employment discrimination against individuals 40 years of age or older. |
| Title IX | A federal law that prohibits sex discrimination in education programs and activities. |
| Affordable Care Act | A federal law that requires individuals to have health insurance and provides subsidies for low-income individuals and families. |
| Freedom of Information Act | A federal law that provides for the disclosure of government records upon request. |
| National Labor Relations Act | A federal law that protects the rights of employees to organize and engage in collective bargaining. |
| Immigration and Nationality Act | A federal law that regulates immigration and naturalization. |
| Patriot Act | A federal law passed in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks, which expanded the government's surveillance and law enforcement powers. |