Law Vocabulary
term
meaning
attorney
n. 1 a person who acts for or represents another in
business or legal matters 2US lawyer
An attorney will be appointed to represent you in court.
barristerUK
n. a lawyer who pleads before a superior court
In the UK barristers still wear wigs in court, don't they?
brief
n. 1UK instructions to a barrister - also v. 2US written
statement of facts
My first brief was to defend a young man accused of
stealing a bicycle.
case
n. statement of the facts in a trial, esp. the argument of
one side
The prosecutor built a really strong case and the
defendant was found guilty.
contract
n. a formal agreement, usually in writing, between two
or more parties
term
meaning
Before signing the contract, get a lawyer to check it for
you.
court of law
n. the place where law cases are heard and decided;
court - courtroom n.
There's a special court of law for corruption and
bribery cases.
defendant
n. person or organization facing a criminal charge or
other legal proceeding - defend v.
After being found not guilty, the defendant hugged his
defence lawyer.
evidence
n. information presented to a court to prove or support a
point in question
Have the police got any forensic evidence like
fingerprints, hair or DNA?
guilty
adj. responsible for wrong; culpable - guilt n. not
guilty adj.
Do you think the jury will find the defendant guilty?
term
meaning
judge
n. official with authority to hear and decide cases in a
court of law - also v.
Everyone stood when the judge entered the courtroom.
jury
n. a group of people chosen to hear the evidence of a
case and give a decision
After deliberating for two days, the jury still hadn't
reached a verdict.
lawsuit
n. a trial at court between two private parties
Many parents brought class-action lawsuits against the
company for selling dangerous toys.
lawyer
n. a person trained in law and who advises or
represents others
After his neighbour refused to keep his dogs quiet, Jim
asked a lawyer about taking legal action.
plead
v. 1 to defend a law case 2 to declare oneself to be
guilty or not guilty - plea n.
term
meaning
If you plead not guilty, your case will be heard in court.
prosecutor
n. 1 a lawyer, often a public official, who can file
charges and try to prove a defendant's guilt in court
- prosecute v.
The prosecutor has charged the former Prime Minister
with several corruption-related offences.
sentence
n. 1 decision of a court, esp. as to the punishment 2 the
punishment - also v.
Our nephew is serving a three-year prison sentence for
robbery.
solicitor
n. 1UK lawyer advising clients and briefing barristers
2US law officer for a city etc
Can you recommend a good solicitor for drawing up a
will?
sue
v. to start legal action against someone in a court of law
- lawsuit n.
Tanya's family sued the hospital for negligence after
she'd been given the wrong medicine.
term
meaning
sum up
v. to summarise and review the evidence of a case
- summing up n.
It took the prosecutor quite a while to sum up the case
against the defendant.
trial
n. a formal examination of a case in a court of law - to
try v.
Anyone can sit in the court's public gallery and watch
a trial.
verdict
n. the formal decision or finding of a judge or jury
After hearing the jury's verdict, the defendant's
relatives cried and hugged one another.
without
prejudice
without detriment or damage to a legal right or claim
You can plead guilty to one charge without
prejudice to any other charges you're facing.