This glossary will allows you to understand the meaning of specific terms in Law.
Adjournment
noun
An adjournment is a temporary stopping of a trial, inquiry, or other meeting.
Example: The court ordered a four month adjournment.
fr: Ajournement
Bailiff
Noun
An official in a court of law who keeps order, looks after prisoners.
Example: He may have lost his company car; the bailiffs may have taken his lawn mower.
fr: Huissier
Barrister
Noun
A barrister is a type of lawyer in common law jurisdictions. Barristers mostly specialise in courtroom advocacy and litigation.
Example: Here the chairman's husband, a BARRISTER, was occasionally instructed by the respondents.
fr: avocat
Brass Sand Timer
noun
An hourglass (or sandglass, sand timer, or sand clock) is a device used to measure the passage of time.
Example: An effective way to do that is by implementing a synchronized clock system with a brass sand timer throughout the courthouse
fr: Sablier en laiton
Caveat
noun
Caveat is a notice, especially in a probate, that certain actions may not be taken without informing the person who gave the notice.
Example: Attention must, however, be drawn to a crucial CAVEAT to these rules.
fr: Mise en garde
Coat of arms
noun
Conveyance
noun
The legal process of transferring property from one owner to another.
Example: The policy aim of maintaining certainty and security in the CONVEYANCE of land, by keeping a lid on property rights arising from informal arrangements, clearly came into play here, overriding these seemingly 'unauthorised' attempts at furthering the rights of those in residential occupation which Denning had made.
fr: Acte de cession
Dactyloscopy
noun
Dactyloscopy relies on the analysis and classification of patterns observed in individual prints.
Example: Our criminal defense lawyers often receive question about fingerprint evidence. Most people associate fingerprints with criminal investigations and popular TV shows like NCIS, CSI, and Law & Order are based on forensic investigation catching criminals who believed they committed the perfect crime. Many of these television dramas focus on DNA evidence such as fingerprints identification or dactyloscopy.
fr: Dactyloscopie
Docket
noun
A calendar or list of cases for trial or people having cases pending.
Example: The judge had to postpone some of the cases on the docket.
fr: Rôle
Gavel
noun
A small mallet with which an auctioneer, a judge, or the chair of a meeting hits a surface to call for attention or order.
Example: The silence was broken by the gavel pounding on the judge's perch.
fr: Marteau
Gown
noun
The gown worn by lawyers is a traditional garment steeped in legal history and symbolism, reflecting the solemnity and gravity of the legal profession. It varies in design and requirement across different legal systems and serves more as a ceremonial garment in contemporary legal practice.
Example: Lawyers in family court must wear gowns for trials and uncontested divorces.
fr: Toge d'avocat
Lady justice
noun
Lady Justice and the objects she carries are ancient symbols for fair and equal treatment under law.
Example: The Lady Justice's sword shows authority, including the power to punish injustice.
fr: Dame de justice
Oath of office
noun
An oath of office is a promise made by an individual they will uphold and fulfill certain requirements and obligations of a position that they were either elected or appointed to.
Example: In the Federal Government, in order for an official to take office, he or she must first take the oath of office; this is also known as a swearing-in ceremony.
fr: Serment d'office
Plea Bargain
Noun
An arrangement between prosecutor and defendant whereby the defendant pleads guilty to a lesser charge in exchange for a more lenient sentence or an agreement to drop other charges.
Example: He accepted a plea bargain to name others in the conspiracy.
fr: Négociation de plaidoyer
Police headquarters
noun
A station that serves as headquarters for police in a particular district; serves as a place from which policemen are dispatched and to which arrested persons are brought.
Example: He explained that earlier in the day a call had been received at police headquarters.
fr: Quartier général de la police
Prosecutor
noun
A lawyer who conducts the case against a defendant in a criminal court. Also called prosecuting attorney.
Example: Only the vanquished were put on trial, regardless of the atrocities committed by the Allies and the victors undertook the duties of both PROSECUTOR and judge, without leaving recourse to appeal.
fr: Procureure
Seal stamp
noun
A seal is unique to a sealer and is used by government agencies, corporations and notaries public to show that the document is validly executed, acknowledged or witnessed.
Example: Most states require the seal stamp to include the Notary Public's name, jurisdiction, commission expiration date, and the phrase.
fr: Joint timbre
Sketch artist
noun
Courtroom sketch artists can gain access to the courtroom when cameras can't and use their skill set to create engaging illustrations that demonstrate the emotions and events throughout the trial.
Example: Becoming a courtroom sketch artist requires a unique knowledge of the legal system combined with artistic talent.
fr: Artiste dessinateur
Weapon
noun
A thing designed or used for inflicting bodily harm or physical damage.
Example: I believe that section 18 GBH is the most likely charge here, due to Felicity carrying a 'WEAPON', and then stabbing it into the particularly vulnerable area of the eye.
fr: Arme
Witness stand
noun
The witness stand is the location in a courtroom where a witness sits or stands while giving testimony.
Example: He had refused to testify on the witness stand and had become a hostile witness.
