If, you want to learn a few law terms to better understand the rules' system of and your rights. Here are 20 terms related to this field you should include in your vocabulary.
affidavit
noun
An affidavit is a written statement of facts confirmed by oath or affirmation, used as evidence in legal proceedings.
Example: Normally a single judge hears this first stage on AFFIDAVIT evidence.
en: affidavit
appeal
noun / verb
An appeal is a serious request for help, a legal process to change a court decision, or a quality that makes something attractive.
Example: The other option would have been to continue to treat Bill as an informal patient lacking capacity to consent to treatment, in which case he would have far fewer clear rights of APPEAL.
en: appel
burden of proof
noun
The burden of proof is a legal duty that requires a party to prove their claim or accusation with facts and evidence.
Example: In practical terms the role of the judge remains presiding over the rules of evidence and deciding whether there is sufficient evidence to satisfy the evidential BURDEN OF PROOF.
en: charge de la preuve
client
noun
A client is a person or organization that receives professional advice, services, or support from another person or business.
Example: The lawyer met with the client to explain the legal options available.
en: client
contract
noun
A contract is a formal, legally binding agreement between two or more parties that creates enforceable rights and obligations.
Example: Both parties signed a formal contract specifying the terms of the agreement.
en: contrat
counsel
noun
Counsel means advice, the act of giving guidance, or a lawyer who represents someone in court.
Example: The prosecution case will be reinforced where the police manage to disprove the defendant's claims and, in certain cases, COUNSEL will be forced to advance a different defence at trial, thereby inviting inferences.
en: conseiller
defendant
noun
Defendant is a person, company, or institution accused of a crime or sued in a court of law.
Example: In our case, it is clear that the DEFENDANT's complete failure to repay the monies means that she has not responded to the new agreement in any way.
en: défendeur
deposition
noun
A deposition is a formal, out-of-court oral or written testimony given under oath by a witness or party, which is recorded for later use in a legal proceeding.
Example: The witness gave a deposition before the trial began.
en: déposition
evidence
noun
Evidence is the available body of facts, objects, or information indicating whether a belief, proposition, or claim is true or valid.
Example: The judge examined the physical evidence presented by the police.
en: preuve
indictment
noun
An indictment is a formal written accusation that charges a person with a serious crime.
Example: The grand jury issued a formal indictment against the suspect.
en: accusation
jurisdiction
noun
Jurisdiction is the official power, right, or authority of a court, government, or official body to make legal decisions, interpret laws, and govern within prescribed limits.
Example: On the basis that the JURISDICTION needed to be flexible and capable of limitation where the variation is of "questionable character", the clause was not included.
en: juridiction
litigation
noun
Litigation is the formal process of resolving a dispute through the public court system.
Example: It has been taken to a further extent, some arguing that ministers may make deliberate statements which can be referred to in later LITIGATION.
en: litige
negligence
noun
Negligence means the failure to use reasonable care, resulting in unintended harm or damage to someone else.
plaintiff
noun
A plaintiff is the person or group who starts a lawsuit in a court of law to fix a wrong or get money for damages.
Example: A reform allowing a third party to sue would achieve nothing, or almost nothing, unless there was also a departure from the rule that a PLAINTIFF could not sue on a contract if it has not provided consideration.
en: demandeur
plea
noun
A plea is an urgent, emotional request or a defendant's formal response in court to a criminal charge.
Example: This might nullify their PLEA of self-defence since the use of weapons might imply excessive force and the act of procuring it might be regarded as a deliberate and calculated move and not in immediate response to an attack.
en: plaidoyer
precedent
noun
A precedent is a past action, event, or decision that serves as an example or guide for how to handle similar situations in the future.
Example: "However, as the reservations of Browne-Wilkinson in Re Sharpe indicate, such changes that Denning was instigating were seen to be distorting a worthy and well-established PRECEDENT, rather than addressing shortcomings in this section of property law."
en: précédent
prosecution
noun
Prosecution is the legal process of bringing formal charges against someone in court and trying to prove that they are guilty of a crime. It also refers to the team of lawyers representing the government or the state who present the case against the accused person.
Example: The PROSECUTION case will be reinforced where the police manage to disprove the defendant's claims and, in certain cases, counsel will be forced to advance a different defence at trial, thereby inviting inferences.
en: poursuite
settlement
noun
A settlement is a place where people live, an official agreement to end a dispute, or the payment of a debt.
Example: Both parties agreed to a financial settlement to avoid a long and legal trial.
en: règlement
testimony
noun
Is a formal written or spoken statement—often given under oath in a court of law—that serves as evidence or proof of a fact.
Example: The following people will be invited to participate in the Tribunal process, to provide TESTIMONY take action as indicated.
en: témoignage
verdict
noun
A verdict is a formal decision or judgment made by a jury or judge in a court trial, or any final opinion given after looking at the facts.
Example: Twenty-four individual defendants were indicted, of which 12 were sentenced to death by hanging, 3 to life imprisonment, 2 to twenty-years and 1 to 10 years imprisonment, while only 3 were released having received a VERDICT of 'not guilty'.
