Talking about Law: English Vocabulary List

(law) a person or party involved in a legal case

"The litigant filed a lawsuit."

"The opposing litigant presented a compelling argument that swayed the jury's decision in favor of their client."

an extra financial compensation awarded in a lawsuit to punish the defendant for bad behavior and deter future wrongdoing

"The court awarded punitive damages to punish the big company."

"Punitive damages are monetary compensation exceeding simple repayment of losses"

to sign a document in addition to another person's signature to guarantee a loan or financial obligation

"His parents co-signed his student loan."

"My father refused to co-sign the loan for my new car because he was worried about the payments."

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."

a lawyer who specializes in bringing a lawsuit against people or organizations in a court of law

"The litigator was known for his aggressive courtroom style."

"A litigator is a trial attorney who specializes in representing clients in civil lawsuits"

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"

the reasonable suspicion that a crime has occurred or will occur

"Police need probable cause."

"The detective gathered enough evidence to establish probable cause for the arrest of the suspect."

a legal professional qualified and licensed to advocate on behalf of clients in both lower and higher courts

"The barrister wore a white wig in the old London court."

"The barrister stood before the judge in a black robe and argued passionately that her client should be found innocent of all charges."

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"

a recorded testimony given outside of court by a witness or party involved in a legal case, used as evidence in future proceedings

"The witness gave a deposition before the trial began."

"A deposition is sworn out-of-court oral testimony recorded by a court reporter"

an official authorized to conduct particular legal formalities, especially to make documents legally acceptable

"The notary checked my ID and stamped the document."

"A notary is a public official authorized to certify signatures on legal documents and administer oaths"

a set of rules or directives made and maintained by an authority, especially in order to regulate conduct

"There is a local bylaw against loud noise after ten at night."

"A bylaw is a rule or regulation made by a local authority or organization to govern its own internal affairs"

the temporary suspension or postponement of a legal proceeding or meeting

"The judge granted a short adjournment to review new evidence."

"An adjournment is the temporary suspension of a court proceeding or meeting until a later specified date"

a list of cases scheduled for a court's consideration, including details such as case numbers, parties involved, and hearing dates

"The case was on the judge's docket for next Monday."

"A docket is the official schedule of cases awaiting trial or hearing in a court"

an official judgment in court of law that declares someone not guilty of the crime they were charged with

"The acquittal meant he was free to go home at last."

"The defendant cried tears of relief when the jury returned a verdict of acquittal after deliberating for only two hours."

the act of breaking or not obeying a law, agreement, etc.

"He received a fine for a minor traffic infraction."

"Parking too close to a fire hydrant is a minor traffic infraction that usually results in a small fine but not a criminal record."

a formal accusation of a crime

"He received an indictment."

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

(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."

to send someone accused of a crime to the place where the crime happened or where they are wanted for legal matters

"The country extradited the fugitive criminal."

"The government agreed to extradite the captured terrorist to face justice in the country where he committed his crimes."

to make a formal decision or judgment about who is right in an argument or dispute

"The judge will adjudicate the dispute fairly."

"The judge was asked to adjudicate the dispute between the two neighboring farmers about the property line."

to invalidate a legal agreement

"The contract was annulled."

"The court decided to annul the contract due to a fundamental misunderstanding of its terms."

a legal document issued by a court or administrative agency, compelling an individual to appear as a witness, produce certain documents, or provide testimony in a legal proceeding

"The witness received a subpoena to appear in court on Monday."

"A subpoena is a legally binding writ ordering a person to attend a court proceeding and give testimony"

to officially excuse someone from a requirement or obligation

"The law exempts low-income families from taxes."

"The new law will exempt small businesses from paying the additional tax next year."

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."

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."

the body of law formed by judicial decisions and precedents established in past court cases, used as a basis for deciding similar issues in subsequent legal proceedings

"The lawyer looked at case law to find similar past decisions."

"Case law is the body of legal principles established by judicial precedent in previous court rulings"

to officially cancel a law, decision, agreement, etc.

"The company rescinded the job offer."

"The board voted to rescind the previous decision after hearing strong objections from several members."

the process of sending a legal case from one court to another for review or resolution, often due to jurisdictional or procedural reasons

"The remit was clear."

"The appellate court ordered a remit of the case back to the lower court for further proceedings."

an authoritative or established rule, often issued by a governing body

"The city passed an ordinance banning smoking in all parks."

"An ordinance is a local law or regulation enacted by a municipal government"