Important legal terms by @Lexbee
For Legal English (K-6002)
Abduction
**Meaning:** Illegally taking someone away by force or persuasion, often to confine them
secretly.
**Sentence:** The police are investigating the abduction of the businessman.
Ambiguous
**Meaning:** Having more than one possible meaning; unclear or uncertain.
**Sentence:** The phrasing in Section 4(a) was ambiguous, requiring judicial interpretation.
Amendment
**Meaning:** A formal alteration or addition to a law, constitution, or other legal document.
**Sentence:** Parliament passed an amendment to the Act to update its provisions.
Announce
**Meaning:** To make a formal public declaration or statement, often by a court regarding a
decision.
**Sentence:** The judge will announce the judgment next week.
Arbitrator
**Meaning:** A neutral third party appointed to settle a dispute outside of court.
**Sentence:** The companies agreed to appoint an arbitrator to resolve their contractual
dispute.
Audi alteram partem
**Meaning:** "Hear the other side"; principle of natural justice requiring all parties to be
heard.
**Sentence:** The principle of audi alteram partem was violated as the defense was not
allowed to present evidence.
Bonafide
**Meaning:** In good faith; honestly, without intent to deceive.
**Sentence:** The court accepted that the error was a bonafide mistake, not an intentional
act.
Charge
**Meaning:** A formal accusation made against a person alleging they committed a specific
crime.
**Sentence:** He appeared before the magistrate to answer the charge of assault.
Contempt
**Meaning:** The offense of being disobedient to or disrespectful of a court of law or its
officers.
**Sentence:** The lawyer was warned about potential contempt of court for arguing with
the judge's ruling.
Counsel
**Meaning:** (a) Legal advice; (b) A lawyer or group of lawyers representing a party.
**Sentence:** She sought legal counsel before signing the agreement. The counsel for the
prosecution presented their case.
Cruelty
**Meaning:** Conduct by one spouse causing mental or physical suffering to the other,
making cohabitation difficult.
**Sentence:** The divorce was granted on the grounds of cruelty by the husband.
Decree
**Meaning:** A formal order or judgment of a civil court finally determining the rights of
parties.
**Sentence:** The court issued a final decree for the partition of the property.
De facto
**Meaning:** In fact or reality, even if not legally established (de jure).
**Sentence:** The military regime became the de facto government, although not officially
recognized.
De jure
**Meaning:** By right or by law, legitimate and lawful.
**Sentence:** He remained the de jure king, even after losing effective control.
Diligent
**Meaning:** Showing careful and persistent effort; exercising a reasonable standard of
care.
**Sentence:** A trustee must be diligent in managing the trust funds.
Discharge
**Meaning:** (a) Release from obligation/custody; (b) Completion of a duty/office.
**Sentence:** The loan agreement was discharged upon final payment. The accused was
granted a discharge by the court.
Dishonour
**Meaning:** Refusal by a bank to pay a cheque or bill of exchange.
**Sentence:** The cheque was dishonoured because of insufficient funds.
Dismiss
**Meaning:** To terminate a case or application without a full trial on the merits.
**Sentence:** The judge decided to dismiss the case due to procedural irregularities.
Dispute
**Meaning:** A disagreement or argument between parties, often over legal rights or facts.
**Sentence:** The neighbours were involved in a boundary dispute.
Ejectment
**Meaning:** A legal action to recover possession of real property from someone
wrongfully occupying it.
**Sentence:** The owner filed an ejectment suit against the illegal occupants.
