The Law: English Vocabulary List

a higher court that reviews decisions made by lower courts to determine if there were errors

"Court of appeals heard."

"The case was sent to the court of appeals for a final review of the verdict."

a person who appeals in a higher court against a decision made in a lower court

"Appellant filed appeal."

"The appellant filed an appeal against the original court decision last week."

an additional part of a legal document

"Add the subclause to contract."

"A new subclause was added to the contract to clarify the warranty terms."

a formal written order issued by a court requiring someone to do or stop doing something

"Legal writ issued."

"The court issued a legal writ requiring the company to appear before the judge next month."

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"

an order issued by a judge that authorizes the police to take specific actions

"The warrant was issued"

"The warrant was issued by the court allowing authorities to search the property"

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 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"

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."

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 make an official judgment, decision, or order

"The king decreed a new law."

"The judge will decree the sentence for the convicted criminal after reviewing all the evidence."

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."

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 formal accusation of a crime

"He received an indictment."

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

the act of making something legally acceptable and the declaration of it

"Legal validation occurred."

"The company sought legal validation for its new product before launching it."

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."

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 create or bring laws into effect through a formal process

"Congress will legislate new environmental laws."

"Congress has the power to legislate new laws regarding taxation interstate commerce and national defense as outlined in the constitution."

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"

the fact that something is in accordance with the law

"The lawyer questioned the legality of the search."

"The legality of the new law was questioned by many legal experts last week."

to question someone in an aggressive way for a long time in order to get information

"The detective will interrogate the suspect."

"The detective spent several hours interrogating the suspect in a small room until he finally confessed to the crime."

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."

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."

a paragraph or clause in a legal agreement or document that is separate from others and deals with something particular

"Read the article."

"This particular article of the contract outlines the terms of payment."

an official agreement that puts an end to a dispute

"The settlement was fair"

"The settlement was fair and resolved the long-standing dispute between the two companies"

to legally invalidate an agreement, decision, etc.

"This will nullify the contract."

"The court's ruling will nullify the previous agreement, rendering it legally void and unenforceable."

to officially approve of something such as an action, change, practice, etc.

"The committee will sanction the proposal."

"The committee will officially sanction the proposed changes to the building code after careful review and discussion."

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 officially start a legal process against someone, often with a document

"They issue a lawsuit."

"The government decided to issue a formal complaint against the corporation for violating environmental regulations."

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 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."

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 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."

a formal declaration by which someone is found guilty of a crime in a court of law

"He appealed against his criminal conviction and asked for a new trial."

"A wrongful conviction occurs when an innocent person is found guilty of a crime they did not commit"