What Are Some Common Legal Terms?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,
  • Plaintiff – the person that initiates a lawsuit against someone else.
  • Defendant – the person, company, etc., that a lawsuit is brought against.
  • Deposition – a statement under oath, taken down in writing, to be used in court in place of the spoken testimony from a witness.

What are common law terms?

Common law is

a body of unwritten laws based on legal precedents established by the

. Common law influences the decision-making process in unusual cases where the outcome cannot be determined based on existing statutes or written rules of law.

What are the words used in court?

  • allegation: something that someone says happened.
  • continuance: Put off trial unitl another time.
  • cross examine: Questioning of a witness by the attorney for the other side.
  • interview: A meeting with the police or prosecutor.
  • juror: A person who is on the jury.
  • oath: A promise to tell the truth.

How can I improve my legal vocabulary?

  1. Remember Your Audience. Robert Daly/Caiaimage/Getty Images. …
  2. Organize Your Writing. Organization is the key to successful legal writing. …
  3. Ditch The Legalese. …
  4. Be Concise. …
  5. Use Action Words. …
  6. Avoid Passive Voice. …
  7. Edit Ruthlessly.

What are the 5 legal terminologies?

  • Credibility (credible/incredible) Credibility is simply another way of saying you are believable when you speak; the ability to appear honest and trustworthy when telling your side of the story. …
  • Damages. …
  • Default. …
  • Defendant. …
  • Discovery (discovery process) …
  • Docket. …
  • Liability. …
  • Malpractice.

What words do lawyers use?

  • Wobbler. YouTube/SpB2Studios. …
  • Recess. ABC. …
  • Tort. Wikimedia Commons. …
  • Upstanding. Universal Pictures. …
  • ‘Religion loves SEX' Win McNamee/Getty Images. …
  • Therefor. Shutterstock. …
  • Administratrix, executrix, prosecutrix, and testatrix. Shutterstock.

What every paralegal should know?

  • Diligence.
  • Demurrer.
  • Wobbler.
  • Punitive Damages.
  • Mens Rea.

What is common law example?

(a) general common law. arising from the traditional and inherent authority of courts to define what the law is, even in the absence of an underlying statute or regulation. Examples include

most criminal law and procedural law before the 20th century

, and even today, most contract law and the law of torts.

What are common law rules?

Judge-made law – known as common law – is

law that has developed from judgments handed down in court

. It is most often used to make decisions about areas that are not included in Acts of Parliament. When using common law judges decide cases along the lines of earlier decisions made in similar cases (‘precedents').

Which best defines common law?

Which best defines common law?

law based on the wishes of legislators

.

law based on precedent

.

What should you not say in court?

  • Do Not Memorize What You Will Say. …
  • Do Not Talk About the Case. …
  • Do Not Become Angry. …
  • Do Not Exaggerate. …
  • Avoid Statements That Cannot Be Amended. …
  • Do Not Volunteer Information. …
  • Do Not Talk About Your Testimony.

How do you talk like a judge?

Speak clearly and loudly enough to be heard, but don't shout. Don't wave your hands or otherwise make unnecessary gestures when you are speaking to the judge.

Always speak politely and respectfully to the judge

and all other court officials. Do not use any phrases that criticize the judge or anyone in the courtroom.

Why do lawyers say Your Honor?

“Your Honor”is the proper way to address a judge in court. … Hence in oral representation a judge is addressed as “Your honor”

giving due respect to his or her statutory authority

.

What are the 4 types of law?

Law is divided into four broad categories. These types of law are

tort law, contract law, property law and criminal law

.

Can a lawyer advise you to lie?

The American Bar Association's Model Rules of Professional Conduct states that a lawyer “shall not knowingly make a false statement of material fact.” In other words,

lawyers aren't supposed to lie–

and they can be disciplined or even disbarred for doing so.

What are some strong vocabulary words?

  • serendipity. good luck in making unexpected and fortunate discoveries. …
  • keen. intense or sharp. …
  • dubious. fraught with uncertainty or doubt. …
  • susurration. an indistinct sound, as of whispering or rustling. …
  • onomatopoeia. using words that imitate the sound they denote. …
  • corpus callosum. …
  • toothsome. …
  • bibliophile.
Ahmed Ali
Author
Ahmed Ali
Ahmed Ali is a financial analyst with over 15 years of experience in the finance industry. He has worked for major banks and investment firms, and has a wealth of knowledge on investing, real estate, and tax planning. Ahmed is also an advocate for financial literacy and education.