Pdf meaning of latin legal words faysal mustafa academia. In the spirit of this goal, weve created the plain language legal dictionary. Lien a charge on specific property that is designed to secure payment of a debt or performance of an obligation. Glossary of legal latin documents free download pdf. Bond a written promise to repay a debt at an agreed time and to pay an agreed rate of interest on the debt. This is a partial list of these legal latin terms, which are wholly or substantially drawn. Abduction taking away by violence or fraud and persuasion. Click on the free exercises to practice your understanding of legal terms in english. This article needs additional citations for verification. 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. Confidentiality is a hugely important legal and professional issue.
In past centuries, latin played the role of a common legal language, which was applied across the boundaries of local law. 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. The a to z guide to legal phrases plain english campaign. 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. In a way, latin can be called the common mother tongue of western european culture, which has influenced the development of. Not everyone can afford the fees and expenses charged by attorneys. We often refer to the language that lawyers use as legalese because it has so many latin phrases and words. Common latin phrases and abbreviations a ab aeterno from the beginning of time a bene placito at ones pleasure ab imo pectore from the bottom of the heart ab incunabulis from the cradle ab initio from the beginning ab intestato having made no will ab ovo from the egg absente reo in absence of the defendant absit invidia no offence intended. 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. Why do so many legal terms come from the language of latin. The definition list below gives latin to english translations for the most commonly used latin law terms.
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 most important aspect of legal english is the use of the right terminology. Learn the latin to english translation of all of the common terms, words and phrases that are used in relation to the law. If you just went to court for the first time there are definitely some legal terminologies you came across that only apply to that sector and nowhere else. Its a collection of over a thousand common legal terms defined in simple, everyday language. 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.
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. A legal term that is used to indicate a legal proceeding held. This list of common legal words was compiled by the connecticut judicial branch solely as a public service. From the latin meaning the state in which this term is used today to designate the existing state or condition of things. In all legal matters, the french element, the royal element, was modern.
Bona vacantia goods or an estate belonging to nobody. An easytounderstand guide to the language of law from the dictionary experts at merriamwebster. List of legal latin terms definition of list of legal latin terms by the free dictionary. Dictionary of latin law terms edward coke wrote that latin maxims are. If a virtual private party is more your thing, go here for details. 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. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. One who is an accessory to the crime cannot be guilty of a more serious crime than the principal offender actus reus. The a to z guide to legal phrases this is only a basic guide. The peoples law dictionary by gerald and kathleen hill publisher fine communications. From the beginning accessorius sequitur definition.
Although commonly referred to as the guilty act this is rather simplistic, as the. 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. Play sporcle s virtual live trivia to have fun, connect with people, and get your trivia on. Table 3 lists a few of the less common latin phrases that youre likely to hear only if you or someone you know actually ends up in a. 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. There are different forms of legal aid available to these persons, for example, pro bono legal services, legal aid board, law clinics, justice centres and legal insurance. Whar tons work,which, perhaps, is the most popular of its kind. District for the language arts through latin project has greatly expanded the. The quiz is concise and can be completed in very little time. Dictionary of legal words and phrases lexisnexis sa. Accessory not the perpetrator of the crime but in some way involved without being present in the commission of the crime.
Of or concerning the law that is in force a phrase used to indicate that a proposition relates to the law as it is. Vlegal latin phrases and maximsa legal maxim is an established principle or proposition. If there is a term you are looking for please use our search form below and enter the legal term. The term is important since the location of the property determines which court. Pages in category latin legal terminology the following 200 pages are in this category, out of approximately 384 total. A number of latin terms are used in legal terminology and legal maxims. Glossary of common court, tribunal and legal terms for.
Breach of contract breaking the terms agreed on in a contract bylaw law made by a local authority candidate attorney someone with a law degree who works for a law firm for two years before qualifying as an attorney. Thus, if title to property is the issue, the action is in rem. Interpreting words without understanding the meaning and intent behind them can lead to misunderstandings and. Bonded goods goods for which a bond has been paid to hm customs and excise as security for the duty owed on the goods. For the definition of a legal term, enter a word or phrase below. 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. In latin, this word means as if or as though and in english it is used as both an. Test how well you know them by taking the trivia below. Evaluate your understanding of this phrase and other legal terminology. Abstraction taking away with intent to harm or deceive. 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. Below is our growing list of legal definitions beginning with the letter i. The etymology of borrowed and naturalized english terms should be pursued in the oxford english dictionary, and classical latin background in the oxford latin dictionary.
In his 228page authoritative compilation of legal terminology, mr. Law dictionary search more than 10,000 legal words and phrases for clear definitions written in plain language. Legal maxim a legal maxim is an established principle or proposition. Latin for lawyers the language of the lawbylazar emanuel j. This article provides you with an outline of some of the key issues of confidentiality. Compiled for the specific use of legal professionals, this easytouse resource is a bilingual dictionary of legal terms, spanishenglish and englishspanish. Common law principles can be changed by legislation. Legal maxims pdf file most lawyers love to throw around latin phrases. Rocket lawyer is committed to making the law simpler, more affordable, and available to everyone. This is a partial list of these legal latin terms, which are wholly or substantially drawn from latin. Robb has consulted dictionaries from spain, mexico. The easiesttoread, most userfriendly guide to legal terms.
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. A guilty act the prohibited conduct or behaviour that the law seeks to prevent. It is more commonly used to mean something thats the real deal or truly authentic. Join a live hosted trivia game for your favorite pub trivia experience done virtually. Test your legal english terminology rich collection of exercises to practice and test your knowledge of legal english terminology. Dictionary of legal words and phrases consists of 4 volumes. A glossary of constitutional terms digital himalaya. As a law student, one of the things you must know is the different terminologies. Test your legal english terminology anglofon studio. 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. Search more than 10,000 legal words and phrases for clear definitions written in plain language. 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. Similarly, the sketches of earlier legal systems which are presented here do not amount to a history of law. For example, if youre making money off of a high pollution industry it is to your interests to maintain the status quo when it comes to environmental law.
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