Take the Law into Your Hands!: English Vocabulary List

a written statement affirmed by oath that can be used as evidence in court

"He signed an affidavit swearing that his statement was true."

"An affidavit is a written statement confirmed by oath or affirmation"

to officially decide and declare in a law court that someone is not guilty of a crime

"The jury decided to acquit the defendant."

"The jury took only two hours to acquit the defendant because there was simply not enough evidence to prove that he was guilty."

a legal process of declaring a marriage or any type of official contract null and void as if it had never existed

"The couple sought an annulment."

"They requested a marriage annulment after discovering serious problems shortly after the wedding."

to add a second signature to a document or agreement to verify its authenticity; serving as a form of validation of the primary signature

"The manager countersigns all important documents."

"The manager must countersign the document before it becomes legally binding and valid for the transaction."

to restrain someone by securing their wrists together, often using a device, commonly done by law enforcement during an arrest or to maintain control

"The police cuff the suspect quickly."

"The police officer had to cuff the suspect's hands behind his back before putting him into the patrol car."

a financial pact with details about interest rates and when the borrowed money will be paid back, not tied to any specific belongings

"The company issued debentures."

"The corporation decided to issue unsecured debentures to raise the necessary funds for its expansion project without pledging assets."

an official authoritative decision or judgment, especially one made by a government or the ruler of a country

"The ruler issued a decree."

"The president's executive decree mandated immediate action on environmental protection initiatives."

the process of a governmental figure bringing charges against a government official and marking the first step toward potential removal from office

"The president faced impeachment."

"The impeachment process against the president started last month in parliament."

a formal accusation of a crime

"He received an indictment."

"The grand jury returned an indictment against the former CEO for fraud and embezzlement."

a group of certified people who are chosen to examine legal problems at the court

"The case went to an international tribunal."

"The international tribunal heard evidence about war crimes last year."

an official investigation that is held in front of a jury; especially in cases associated with death by unnatural causes

"The coroner held an inquest into the death."

"The coroner inquest determined the cause of death after careful investigation."

the condition of dying without a valid will, leaving the distribution of one's estate to be determined by the laws of intestate succession rather than specific instructions in a will

"Intestacy laws decide everything."

"After his intestacy, his family faced a long legal battle over the distribution of his estate."

the part of a country's government that administers the legal system, including all its judges

"The judiciary is fair."

"An independent judiciary is crucial for upholding the rule of law in any democracy."

a group of elected officials responsible for making and changing laws in a government or state

"The legislature passed a new law."

"A bicameral legislature is a governmental body with two separate chambers or houses"

to initiate legal action against another party or person

"The company litigates patent disputes frequently."

"The two companies decided to litigate the dispute in court instead of settling it privately through mediation."

a person who acts as a judge in a law court and deals with minor offenses

"The magistrate listened carefully to the evidence in the case."

"A magistrate is a junior judicial officer who presides over minor criminal cases and preliminary hearings"

(law) the permission for a prisoner to leave prison before the end of their imprisonment sentence, on the condition of good conduct

"The prisoner was released on parole after five years."

"The prisoner was released on parole after serving fifteen years of his twenty five year sentence."

a person who brings a lawsuit against someone else in a court

"The plaintiff lost the case."

"The plaintiff is the individual or party who initiates a lawsuit in civil court by filing a formal complaint against another party for alleged harm."

actions taken in a court of law in order to settle an argument

"Court proceedings long."

"The court proceedings lasted for many months before the final judgment was announced by the judge."

the process of bringing someone to court in an attempt to prove their guilt

"The prosecution presented strong evidence at the trial."

"The criminal prosecution against the corrupt official started last month in the high court."

an official statement according to which one gives up their legal right or claim

"Signed waiver form."

"All participants signed a waiver form before starting the dangerous adventure activity yesterday."

a formal statement saying something is true, particularly made by a witness in court

"He gave his testimony today."

"The witness's testimony in court was crucial because it helped the jury understand exactly what had happened."

an officially written and established law

"The statute is a law."

"A statute is a formal written law passed by a legislative body that commands"

to make a statement as a witness in court saying something is true

"She will testify in court."

"The witness agreed to testify in court about what she had seen on the night of the crime."

to follow the rules, commands, or wishes of someone, showing compliance to their authority

"You must abide by the rules."

"All employees must abide by the company's strict safety rules or face immediate termination."

to send a case back to a court of lower authority for additional reconsideration or review

"The judge will remand."

"The appellate court decided to remand the case back to the trial court for further proceedings."

legally required to be followed and cannot be avoided

"The contract is binding."

"The contract is binding so you cannot change your mind after signing it without penalty."

a legal document that transfers a right or property from one person to another

"Sign the conveyance now."

"The lawyer explained that the signed conveyance would legally transfer ownership of the property to the new buyer."

to create a plan, document, or written agreement, often in a formal or official context

"We will draw up plans."

"The legal team will draw up a comprehensive contract outlining all the terms and conditions of the proposed merger."

to ensure that a law or rule is followed

"Police enforce the law."

"The new regulations will strictly enforce the company's environmental protection policies."

to violate someone's rights or property

"His actions infringe upon my rights."

"The court ruled that the small company did not infringe on the larger corporation's patent."

a formal rule or collection of rules enacted by a governing authority

"Legislation passed by government."

"Delegated legislation is a law made by an executive authority under powers given to them by a primary piece of legislation passed by the parliament."

officially allowed or accepted according to the rules or laws that apply to a particular situation

"His claim is legitimate."

"The company had a legitimate reason for firing the employee because he was caught stealing money from the cash register on camera."

a document outlining the terms of understanding or agreement between parties, often used in legal or business contexts

"Sign the memorandum."

"The memorandum of understanding clearly stated the shared objectives and responsibilities of both organizations involved in the joint venture."

to reverse, abolish, or invalidate something, especially a legal decision

"The court overturns the ruling."

"The judge decided to overturn the previous court's ruling because new evidence had come to light in the case."

to discharge a criminal from the legal consequences of a conviction or violation

"The president will pardon."

"The governor decided to pardon the prisoner who had served over twenty years."

to state in a court of law, in front of the judge and the jury, whether someone is guilty or not guilty of a crime

"He will plead not guilty."

"The defendant was asked to plead guilty or not guilty to the charges."

an agreed-upon condition or requirement outlined in an agreement, law, or document

"Contract provision agreed."

"The new provision in the contract protects the rights of small suppliers and workers."

to announce that something is no longer legally valid or binding

"The judge voided the contract completely."

"The court decided to void the unfair contract because it was signed under duress and one party did not fully understand the complicated terms."

(particularly of a law court) to state that a previous decision is correct

"The court will uphold."

"The appellate court decided to uphold the original verdict due to insufficient evidence for appeal."