Dictionary of legal words and phrases consists of 4 volumes. It refers to the appointment by the court of one party to act in a legal action on behalf of another party. Progressive legal scholars and writers often prefer plain. Latin is a classical language that profoundly influenced many other languages in the indoeuropean language family. Over 65% of the words in english come from latin either directly or indirectly, including most literary and scientific xerminology. Also, many well known legal principles are expressed as latin maxims. These latin phrases, which are often used by lawyers as part of our everyday vocabulary, can sometimes appear to be confusing or mysterious. Discover the best way to learn latin, including the history of the latin language and how to get beyond latin translations.
Law dictionary search more than 10,000 legal words and phrases for clear definitions written in plain language. Applicant a person, a cc, a company or an institution who applies for something. Familia romana covering the essentials of latin grammar and 1500 vocabulary words through a story of a latin family in the 2nd century a. This list of common legal words was compiled by the connecticut judicial branch solely as a public service. The latin term, apparently a variant on maxima, is not to be found in roman law with any meaning exactly analogous to that of a legal. Victoria law foundation legal glossary 2 adduce to adduce or lead evidence is to show a document or thing to the court, or to ask a witness questions, as part of an argument in a court case. Vlegal latin phrases and maximsa legal maxim is an established principle or proposition. Abduction taking away by violence or fraud and persuasion. Included here are terms not ordinarily used in lay language, terms whose meanings differ from their lay meanings, and law latin terms. Interpreting words without understanding the meaning and intent behind them can lead to misunderstandings and. Term or phrase, literal translation, definition and use, english pron. A compilation of important legal maxims and foreign words to assist you in attain a tight grasp over this niche aspect of legal aptitude.
To make such a request is to appeal or to take an appeal. For example, modern legal english is mainly a mixture of old french, plus some latin, greek, german, dutch, old norse and a variety of other languages. Latin legal terms the content of this section of the website provides a fast, easy guide to the translation of latin legal terms into english. A guilty act the prohibited conduct or behaviour that the law seeks to prevent. Confidentiality is a hugely important legal and professional issue. Acronym that stands for also known as and introduces any alternative or assumed names or aliases of an individual.
List of legal latin terms synonyms, list of legal latin terms pronunciation, list of legal latin terms translation, english dictionary definition of list of legal latin terms. In legal terms, it is used to represent something that is presented without deception or fraud, or literally in good faith, honest, sincere and lawful. To find all definitions that include a specific term, enter a word or phrase below. Explain that the first two maxims are used frequently in the consumers movement. An easytounderstand guide to the language of law from the dictionary experts at merriamwebster. A legal action started by a plaintiff against a defendant based on a complaint that the defendant failed to perform a legal duty which resulted in harm to the plaintiff.
These terms form a major part of our everyday legal language. The series itself consists of a first year book, part i. Dictionary of legal words and phrases lexisnexis sa. You need to pay attention to noun cases as well, and learn the basic question words and the short words that help you. Bona vacantia goods or an estate belonging to nobody. In point park university s online criminal justice degree program, youll learn these terms and more. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Capital casecrime case or crime for which the death penalty may be imposed. You can further visit this page to supplement what you take from the following list. To immerse oneself in classical and humanistic studies, latin was a must. This is the name for several types of writs, which require that a law enforcement official take a named defendant into custody.
Legal maxim a legal maxim is an established principle or proposition. Many concepts in common law as well as roman law have latin names or names derived from latin. Words that you can find elsewhere in this dictionary are in italics. Learning legal english vocabulary can make your work much easier, take the stress out of important documents and even expand your career options internationally. This is a partial list of these legal latin terms, which are wholly or substantially drawn. Legal terminology 101 is a comprehensive guide to the language of the legal system.
In other words, folks, if you need a lawyer, get a lawyer. Capital punishment punishment by death for capital crime. If youre planning on purchasing a house, involved in a landlordtenant dispute, making a will, buying a car, getting health insurance, applying for a credit card or hiring a lawyer then understanding the terminology of the contracts, forms and systems is vital. Bonded goods goods for which a bond has been paid to hm customs and excise as security for the duty owed on the goods. Glossary of legal terminology most frequently used terms glossary of legal terminology edited and expanded by john lombardi aka. Included in the list below are definitions of some of the legal words and phrases you will need to know as law students, lawyers, and paralegals. Whether youre a court reporter, an attorney, a detective or a forensic analyst, you should know these common latin legal terms.
After all, at one time, the romans had conquered most of europe, the middle east, and north africa. Of or concerning the law that is to come into force a phrase used to indicate that a proposition relates to the law as it is. Legal english vocabulary for the courtroom and beyond. All words and forms are made clear in the context of reading, illustrations, or marginal notes. Latin legal phrases, maxims and writs with translations. Legal maxims and legal terms hi guys, legal maxims and legal terms are something which have been frequently asked in clat and ailet featuring in the english section. From latin, all scholarship flowed and it was truly the gateway to the life of the mind, as the bulk of scientific, religious, legal, and philosophical literature was written in the language until about the 16 th century. Learn the latin to english translation of all of the common terms, words and phrases that are used in relation to the law. English term or phrase literal translation definition and use. Abandon v abate v to abate a nuisance abatement abdicate v abdication abduct v abduction abet v to aid and abet abetment abeyance in abeyance ab initio abode abolish v to abolish slavery. The latin term, apparently a variant on maxima, is not to be found in roman law with any meaning exactly analogous to that of a legal maxim in the medieval or modern sense of the. This article provides you with an outline of some of the key issues of confidentiality. Antecedents details about the past of a defendant or a person found guilty of a crime.
Common latin words and phrases used in english jack. The a to z guide to legal phrases plain english campaign. A guardian ad litem is a person appointed by the court to protect the interests of minors or legally incompetent persons in legal actions. Many of the terms that lawyers and other legal folk use have come down to us in their original latin forms. Table 2 lists some of the more common latin words that are still used today. Of or concerning the law that is in force a phrase used to indicate that a proposition relates to the law as it is. We help to demystify some of those perplexing latin phrases. More than that, latin words, expressions, and abbreviations are part of everyday english, particularly in the areas of law and business. Of course, if you happen to be a lawyer, here is your chance to breathe some life into your latin. Pdf meaning of latin legal words faysal mustafa academia. Important legal terms lawyers, paralegals, and law students should recognize. The use of latin words and phrases can often be heard in many of these law focused television series. The latin term, apparently a variant on maxima, is not to be found in roman law with any meaning exactly analogous to that of a legal maxim in the medieval or modern sense of the word, but the treatises of many of the roman jurists on regular definitions, and sententiae juris are, in some measure, collections of maxims.
This dictionary of terms and legal definitions related to hazardous, medical and solid waste is a reference document developed by the new york state division of criminal justice services, office of justice systems analysis with partial funding by the departmnt of justice, bureau of justice statistics. From the beginning accessorius sequitur definition. It is the essential practitioners guide to how south african courts and law academics have defined, interpreted and applied thousands of latin, english and afrikaans terms. Students will take courses such as criminal law procedure. Having undergone the process of transformation and reinterpretation, roman law continues to influence legal thinking and legal practice to this day. Glossary of legal latin a fortiori from stronger argument used to express a conclusion for which there is stronger evidence than for a previously accepted one ab initio from the beginning if a contract is void say for mistake ab initio, this has the consequence that no. Abstraction taking away with intent to harm or deceive. May 18, 2018 the wikipedia list of latin legal terms page contains a relatively complete list of latin terms used in legal briefs, only a few of which are contained in this paper. A legal proceeding conducted without the presence of one party is said to be conducted in absentia, e. But there are still legal phrases that baffle nonlawyers. Latin roots, prefixes, and suffixes provide the key to unlocking the meanings of these.
The latin language was carried by roman soldiers, administrators, settlers, and traders to the. In other words, the creditor seeks to have part of the debtors future wages paid to the creditor for a debt owed to the creditor. The reason for this is that ancient romes legal system has had a strong influence on the legal systems of most western countries. Latin in legal writing 239 in sum, these results show an increase in all three courts in the use of short, easily translatable latin phrases since the 1950s. Legal questions come up regularly in our daily lives and the language of law is everywhere. A priori before the fact legal term actions before the fact first speech philosophical term. In latin, this word means as if or as though and in english it is used as both an. A number of latin terms are used in legal terminology and legal maxims. While it is referred to as a dead language, latin is far from extinct. In this article, youll learn more than 60 of the most important legal english vocabulary words for courts and crimes, property law and contracts. The peoples law dictionary by gerald and kathleen hill publisher fine communications. The definition list below gives latin to english translations for the most commonly used latin law terms. Lien a charge on specific property that is designed to secure payment of a debt or performance of an obligation.
This word would appear in a latin sentence such as the following. One who is an accessory to the crime cannot be guilty of a more serious crime than the principal offender actus reus. Jan 16, 2019 25 latin legal terms you should know latin legal terms can seem like a language outside of your everyday use, but you may be surprised at how many you already know. As mentioned above, further characteristics of legal language include the use of terms of art words having a precise, specific meaning in a special field and the use of argot. This article needs additional citations for verification. For the definition of a legal term, enter a word or phrase below. As a member of the legal profession, youll need to master a broad range of latin words and phrases commonly used in the practice of law. We have tried to compile a few of them so that it might prove helpful for you all and the rest of the legal terms and maxims section will be provided later. A term to indicate another name by which a person is known. Weve all watched a suspect give an alibi while watching our favorite legal drama, and youve likely entered many quid pro quo agreements if youve ever swapped books, recipes. For example, a person or institution that applies to the court for an interdict or court order.
Legal language one place where latin words are very commonly used is in the courtroom. Legal drafting in english the big picture on the small print. If youre planning on purchasing a house, involved in a landlordtenant dispute, making a will, buying a car, getting health insurance, applying for a credit card or hiring a lawyer then understanding the terminology of. The judicial branch does not warrant the accuracy of the information contained in this list nor is it responsible for any errors or omissions and assumes no liability for its use. Glossary of common court, tribunal and legal terms for. If instead of legal maxims you need more general latin expressions, i have special pages dedicated to mottos, sayings, quotes, slogans etc. Affirmed in the practice of appellate courts, the word means that the decision of the trial court is correct. To get a handle on latin, you have to study the normal language things like verb conjugations, including those irregular verbs and verb endings. Criminal justice professionals throw around latin legal terms willynilly, but what do those phrases mean. A legal proceeding conducted without the presence of one party is said to be conducted in. Meaning in command of ones mind this term is used in the legal. Legal maxims pdf file most lawyers love to throw around latin phrases. Learn some of these basic legal words to help you better understand law and order and how the legal process works.
Many of these have contributed legal english terms which have no recognizable connection with modern law in the uk or the usa or anywhere else where. Implies sincere good intention regardless of outcome. Of or concerning the law that is to come into force a phrase used to. Bond a written promise to repay a debt at an agreed time and to pay an agreed rate of interest on the debt. Accessory not the perpetrator of the crime but in some way involved without being present in the commission of the crime. You need to pay attention to noun cases as well, and learn the basic question words and the short words that help you connect your thoughts. The glossary of common court, tribunal and legal terms for interpreters was developed to provide court interpreters with common legal terms and definitions to assist them in performing the specialist task of court interpreting. Common latin legal phrases explained find an attorney. Below ive listed 77 examples of latin terms every english speaker should become familiar with. The explanations in this guide are not intended to be straight alternatives. However, you also need to be able to distinguish between those that are proper legal terms like what parties, courts and judges are called and words like tort and action, and other legal expressions, and words. Dec 07, 2016 a compilation of important legal maxims and foreign words to assist you in attain a tight grasp over this niche aspect of legal aptitude. Roman law is the legal system invented by the romans more than 2,000 years ago. Where general words follow an enumeration of two or more things, they apply only to persons or things of the same general kind or class specifically mentioned ejusdem generis.
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