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. |