Talking about Law: English Vocabulary List

a formal change, addition, or alteration made to a law, contract, constitution, or other legal document

"Amendment changed the document."

"A constitutional amendment is a formal change to a nation's fundamental legal charter"

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."

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"

the formal procedure of resolving disputes through the court system

"The company set aside millions for the cost of potential future litigation."

"Civil litigation is the process of resolving a non-criminal legal dispute between two or more parties in a court of law through a formal judicial procedure."

a legal official who represents the state in criminal proceedings and brings charges against individuals or organizations suspected of breaking the law

"The prosecutor presented evidence to the jury."

"The prosecutor presented strong evidence that convinced the jury to find the defendant guilty."

a lawyer who represents someone in a court of law

"She hired an attorney."

"The defendant's attorney presented a compelling case to the jury during the trial."

(in the UK) a lawyer who is entitled to give legal advice, prepare legal documents for contracts and defend people in lower courts of law

"The solicitor wrote a letter."

"you see a solicitor for legal advice when buying a house."

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."

a person in a law court who is sued by someone else or is accused of committing a crime

"The defendant was found guilty."

"The defendant in a criminal trial is the individual formally charged with a crime who must defend themselves against the state's accusations and evidence."

an amount of money that must be paid in order for someone who is accused of a crime to be released until their trial

"The judge set a high bail."

"His family paid the bail so he could return home while waiting for his court hearing next month."

a civic obligation requiring individuals to serve as members of a jury in a court of law

"He had jury duty last week."

"Jury duty is a civic service where a citizen is summoned to serve as a member of a jury"

a legal arrangement in which a convicted offender is released under specific conditions instead of serving time in prison

"He was put on probation."

"The judge sentenced the young man to probation with mandatory community service hours."

compassion shown by a person in authority, especially by reducing a punishment

"The governor granted him clemency."

"Clemency is the act of mercy by a person in high authority"

to use one's official or political authority to change or reject a previously made decision

"The judge overruled the objection."

"The judge decided to overrule the objection raised by the defense lawyer because the question was completely relevant to the case."

to try to charge someone officially with a crime in a court as the lawyer of the accuser

"The state will prosecute the criminal."

"The district attorney decided to prosecute the suspect for fraud after collecting enough evidence to prove his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt."

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."

to officially state that something is illegal

"The government outlawed the dangerous drug."

"Many countries have decided to outlaw the use of plastic bags to reduce pollution and protect the environment for future generations."

to voluntarily relinquish or give up a right, claim, or privilege

"The school waived the application fee."

"The university decided to waive the application fee for students from low income families to encourage more people to apply."