📘 Legal English Vocabulary – Learn Legal Terms Easily

• Lawyer / Attorney – A person who gives legal advice and represents people in court
• Attorney-at-law – A licensed lawyer in the US
• Solicitor – A legal advisor who prepares cases and gives advice, mainly in the UK
• Barrister – A lawyer who speaks in court, especially in the UK
• Public defender – A lawyer provided by the state to defend someone who can’t afford one
• Defender – A lawyer who defends someone in a criminal case
• Opposing counsel – The lawyer on the other side in a case
• Senior counsel – A lawyer with a high level of experience and authority
• General counsel – The main lawyer for a company or organization
• Company lawyer – A lawyer who works for a business
• Business lawyer – A lawyer who handles legal matters related to business
• Tax lawyer – A lawyer who specializes in tax law
• Legal advisor – Someone who gives legal advice but may not represent clients in court
• Legal assistant – A person who helps lawyers with their work
• Paralegal – A trained legal worker who supports lawyers
• Prosecutor – A lawyer who represents the state in criminal cases
• Magistrate – A judge or court officer who deals with minor cases
• Presiding judge – The main judge in charge of a court session
• Trial judge – The judge who oversees a trial
• Usher – A person who keeps order and helps in the courtroom
• Clerk – A court officer who keeps records and files
• Officer of the court – Anyone who helps the legal process in a courtroom
• Legal representative – Someone legally authorized to act on another’s behalf
• Senior partner – A top-level lawyer who partly owns a law firm
• Bail bondsman / Bail bond agent / Bond dealer – A person who pays bail for someone in exchange for money or a fee

👮‍♂️ Arrest & Detention

• to arrest – to take someone into police custody
• to be under arrest – to be officially held by the police
• to make an arrest – to detain someone legally
• to put sb under arrest – to place someone in legal custody
• false arrest – an illegal or unjustified arrest
• to be due in court for assault – to be scheduled to appear in court for attacking someone

📝 Warrants & Procedures

• warrant of arrest – a legal document to arrest someone
• search warrant – a legal order to search a place
• seizure warrant – a legal order to take property or evidence
• to issue a warrant – to formally create a legal order

🔒 Detention & Police Custody

• custody – being held by the police or in jail
• to be in custody – to be under police or legal control
• to be remanded in custody – to be kept in jail before trial
• to be on remand in custody – to wait for trial while being detained
• to be on remand on bail – to wait for trial while free on bail

💰 Bail & Release

• bail – money paid to be released before trial
• to be released on bail – to be set free after paying bail
• bail bond – a legal agreement to pay bail
• bail bondsman / bond dealer – a person who pays bail for others for a fee
• to remand sb on bail – to release someone with conditions before trial

🏠 House Arrest & Alternatives

• to be placed under house arrest – to be legally confined to one’s home
• house arrest – being legally forced to stay at home
• probation period – a period of supervision instead of jail
• conditional release – being freed under certain legal conditions

⚖️ Trial & Sentencing

• to be charged with murder – to be formally accused of murder
• to be charged with firearm use – to be formally accused of using a weapon
• to be sentenced – to receive a legal punishment
• sentence – the punishment given by a court
• case remanded for a week – case postponed for one week
• wrongful conviction – being found guilty when innocent

🩸 Serious Crimes

• murder – the intentional killing of another person
• manslaughter – killing someone without planning to
• first-degree murder – a planned and deliberate murder
• he is convicted on two counts of first-degree murder – he was found guilty of two separate charges of planned murder
• cold case – an old criminal case that remains unsolved
• the criminal is at large – the criminal has not been caught and is still free
• to be on trial for theft – to be judged in court for stealing

💥 Assault & Violence

• assault – attacking someone physically or verbally
• physical assault – physically hurting someone
• sexual assault – unwanted sexual contact or behavior
• molestation – unwanted or inappropriate sexual contact
• assault and battery – threat plus actual physical attack
• domestic violence – abuse within a household or family
• abuse – causing harm or mistreatment to someone

🕵️‍♂️ Financial Crimes & Corruption

• fraud – using lies to gain money or benefits
• bank fraud – illegally getting money from a bank
• bribery – giving money or gifts to influence someone
• to bribe – to give money or gifts to gain unfair advantage
• insider trading – using secret company info to buy or sell stocks
• embezzlement – stealing money from a company or organization
• money laundering – hiding illegal money by making it look legal

🛍️ Theft & Burglary

• theft – taking something that doesn’t belong to you
• shoplifting – stealing items from a store
• armed robbery – stealing using a weapon
• robbery with violence – stealing using force or threats
• burglary – breaking into a place to steal
• rob – to take something from someone illegally
• shoplifter – a person who steals from a shop

🎭 Forgery & Falsification

• forgery – making fake documents or items
• to falsify – to change or make false information
• to counterfeit – to make illegal copies of money or goods
• false evidence – fake or misleading proof used in court
• perjury – lying under oath in court

⚠️ Other Offenses

• vandalism – damaging or destroying property
• arson – intentionally setting fire to property
• hijacking – taking control of a vehicle by force
• smuggling – secretly bringing goods in or out of a country
• trespassing – entering private property without permission

🔍 Investigation

• investigation – the process of finding out what happened in a case
• field investigation – collecting information directly at the scene
• to investigate – to look for the facts of a case
• investigator – a person who searches for facts and evidence
• visual status survey – an inspection to record visible conditions

🧬 Evidence & Forensics

• evidence – information or objects used to prove something
• countering evidence – proof that goes against a claim
• formal proof – official evidence accepted by the court
• to gather evidence – to collect proof for a case
• exhibit – an item shown in court as evidence

🧑‍⚕️ Forensic Experts

• forensic expert – a specialist in using science to solve crimes
• medical expert – a doctor who gives opinions in legal cases
• autopsy – a medical exam to find the cause of death
• medical examination – a doctor’s review of a person’s health or injuries
• DNA – genetic material used for identification
• paternity test – a test to find out who a child’s father is

📜 Warrants & Authorizations

• search warrant – legal permission to search a place
• warrant – a legal document giving permission to act
• warrant of arrest – a document allowing someone to be arrested
• seizure warrant – a legal order to take something as evidence
• commission rogatory – an official request for legal help from another country

📁 Documents & Statements

• written statement – a signed written account used in court
• prior statement – a statement made before the trial
• misstatement – incorrect or false information
• nondisclosure – failure to share required information

⚖️ Trial & Appearance

• to be on trial – to be judged in a court of law
• to go on trial – to start legal proceedings in court
• to put sb on trial – to officially make someone face legal judgment
• to be sent for trial – to be formally sent to court for a hearing
• to give sb a fair trial – to judge someone in an impartial and just way

📣 Accusation & Conviction

• to press charges – to formally accuse someone of a crime
• to be charged with... – to be officially accused of something
• to bring charges against sb – to start legal action against someone
• to be convicted on multiple counts – to be found guilty of several criminal charges
• to be found guilty – to be officially judged as having committed a crime
• to be found not guilty – to be officially judged as innocent of a crime

📜 Oath & Testimony

• to take the oath – to promise to tell the truth in court
• to give evidence under oath – to testify truthfully after swearing an oath
• to testify – to speak in court as a witness
• on/under oath – legally sworn to tell the truth
• to put someone under oath – to officially require someone to swear to tell the truth

🧾 General & Idiomatic

• beyond reasonable doubt – with such certainty that there is no logical reason to question
• due process – the fair treatment guaranteed by law
• plea bargain – an agreement to plead guilty in exchange for a lighter sentence
• to bring to justice – to make someone face legal punishment
• to seal a verdict – to confirm and finalize a court decision
• legal loophole – a gap or flaw in the law that allows something illegal to seem legal
• wrongful conviction – being found guilty of a crime you didn’t commit

• Ministry of Justice – government department in charge of the legal system
• Judicial system – the structure of courts and laws in a country
• Court of law – a place where legal cases are heard and decided
• High Court – a senior court dealing with serious cases or appeals
• Supreme Court – the highest court in the legal system
• Court of Appeal – a court that reviews decisions made by lower courts
• Criminal court – a court that handles cases involving crimes
• Civil court – a court that deals with disputes between individuals or organizations
• Administrative court – a court handling cases about government decisions or actions
• Military court – a court for members of the armed forces
• Juvenile court – a court that deals with cases involving minors
• Small claims court – a court for resolving low-value disputes quickly
• International Court of Justice (ICJ) – a UN court that settles legal disputes between countries
• International Criminal Court (ICC) – a court that prosecutes crimes like genocide and war crimes
• Case-law / Jurisprudence – previous court decisions used to guide future cases
• Jurisdiction – the legal power or area where a court can decide cases
• Court records – official documents and information from court cases
• Judicial authority – the legal power held by courts and judges
• Legal framework – the system of laws and rules in a country
• Legal system – the overall structure of law, courts, and procedures
• Common law – law based on court decisions and customs, not written codes
• Civil law – a legal system based on written laws and codes
• Criminal law – the set of laws that define crimes and punishments
• Procedural law – the rules about how legal processes work
• Penal institution – a place where people are held as punishment, like a prison

• Trial – a formal examination of a case in court
• To go on trial – to be judged in court
• To appear in court – to be present in court as part of a legal process
• To bring the case to court – to take legal action by presenting a case to a judge
• To bring a lawsuit / to sue someone – to start legal action against someone for damages
• Lawsuit – a legal case filed by one party against another
• Complaint – a formal accusation or legal claim
• Charge – a formal statement that someone is accused of a crime
• To be charged with murder – to be formally accused of killing someone
• To be charged with firearm – to be accused of illegally using or possessing a gun
• Indictment – a formal accusation initiating a criminal case
• Accused / Defendant – the person being charged in a trial
• To remand sb in custody – to keep someone in jail while waiting for trial
• To remand sb on bail – to allow someone to remain free until trial, with conditions
• Case remanded for a week – the trial is postponed for one week
• To be on remand in custody – to be held in jail before trial
• To be on remand on bail – to wait for trial while released under conditions
• To testify / To give evidence – to speak in court as a witness
• To take the stand / to remain at the stand – to speak or stay in the witness area in court
• Witness – a person who sees or knows something about a crime
• Witness stand / box – the place in court where a witness gives testimony
• Testimony – a statement made by a witness in court
• Cross-examination – the questioning of a witness by the opposing side
• Confession – an admission of guilt
• To confess – to admit having committed a crime
• Pleading – arguments presented by lawyers during a trial
• Hearing – a legal meeting in court for presenting evidence
• Preliminary hearing – a hearing before a trial to decide if there’s enough evidence
• Status hearing – a hearing to check the progress of a case
• Verdict – the final decision of a judge or jury
• To find guilty / To find not guilty – to officially declare someone responsible or not responsible
• Conviction – a formal declaration of guilt
• Wrongful conviction – when an innocent person is found guilty
• Acquittal – a decision that someone is not guilty
• To acquit – to officially declare someone not guilty
• Mistrial – an invalid trial due to an error or issue
• Adjournment / Recess – a temporary break or delay in the trial

• Sentence – the punishment given by a court
• To sentence – to give someone a legal punishment
• Life sentence – a prison sentence that lasts for the rest of the person's life
• Life sentence without parole – a sentence with no possibility of early release
• Death penalty / Capital punishment – legal execution as punishment for a crime
• To be convicted – to be found guilty of a crime
• Convicted – someone officially declared guilty
• To serve a sentence – to spend time in prison as punishment
• Prisoner / Inmate – a person held in prison
• To be placed under house arrest – to be confined at home instead of in prison
• House arrest – a legal order to stay at home under surveillance
• Probation period – a period during which a person is supervised instead of going to prison
• To be on parole – to be released from prison early under conditions
• Conditional release – early release from prison with legal conditions
• Good behavior – following rules to possibly reduce a sentence
• Fine – money paid as punishment
• Financial penalty – a required payment for breaking a law
• Community service – unpaid work done as punishment
• Rehabilitation / Inpatient rehab – programs to help offenders recover or reintegrate
• Sentence reduction – a shorter sentence given for good reasons
• To commute a sentence – to change a sentence to a less severe one
• To serve time – to spend time in prison
• To release from custody – to free someone from jail
• Release – the act of being set free from jail
• Remission – a reduction in the length of a sentence
• Penalty / Punishment – a consequence given for breaking a law
• To impose a sentence – to give someone a legal penalty
• To face a sentence – to risk or expect a legal punishment
• Life term / Life imprisonment – a prison sentence lasting a lifetime
• Perpetuity – an endless or lifelong prison sentence
• Recidivism – the act of reoffending after punishment
• Repeat offender – a person who commits crimes again after being punished

• Judge – the official who presides over court proceedings
• Presiding judge – the lead judge in a court case
• Trial judge – the judge in charge of a specific trial
• Magistrate – a lower-level judge who handles minor cases
• Prosecutor – the lawyer who represents the state and brings charges
• Attorney / Lawyer – a person who practices law and represents clients
• Attorney-at-law – a lawyer licensed to practice law in the U.S.
• Solicitor – a UK lawyer who gives legal advice and prepares cases
• Barrister – a UK lawyer who presents cases in higher courts
• Public defender – a lawyer assigned by the court for people who can't afford one
• Defense attorney / Defender – the lawyer representing the accused
• Opposing counsel – the lawyer representing the other side
• Senior counsel / General counsel – a senior or chief legal advisor
• Business lawyer – a lawyer specializing in business matters
• Tax lawyer – a lawyer who handles tax-related legal issues
• Company lawyer – a lawyer working for a corporation
• Legal advisor – someone who gives legal advice
• Legal assistant – someone who supports a lawyer’s work
• Paralegal – a trained professional who assists lawyers
• Legal representative – someone officially authorized to act on behalf of another
• Usher – a court official who keeps order
• Officer of the court – someone who has a duty to promote justice in court
• Clerk / Court clerk – the person who manages court records and documents
• Assessor – someone who assists a judge, often in administrative or financial matters
• Witness – a person who gives testimony in court
• Key witness / Eye-witness – someone with crucial or firsthand information about the case
• Expert witness – a specialist who gives expert opinions in court
• Forensic expert – a scientific expert who analyzes evidence from crimes
• Medical expert – a doctor or specialist who gives medical opinions in court
• Juror – a member of the jury who helps decide the verdict
• Jury – a group of people chosen to decide a case
• Declarant – someone who makes a formal statement
• Bail bondsman / Bond dealer – a person or business that provides bail money
• Litigant – someone involved in a lawsuit
• Plaintiff – the person who starts a lawsuit
• Defendant – the person being sued or accused
• Suspect – a person believed to be involved in a crime
• Accused – a person formally charged with a crime
• Perpetrator / Offender – someone who committed a crime or offense

• Law / Legal – related to the rules and systems of justice
• Civil law – law dealing with disputes between individuals or organizations
• Criminal law – law related to crimes and punishments
• Common law – law based on court decisions and precedents
• Procedural law – rules that govern legal processes
• Administrative law – law governing public administration and agencies
• Constitutional law – law based on the constitution of a country
• International law – laws governing relationships between nations
• Labor law / Employment law – law relating to work and employee rights
• Tax law – rules about taxes and revenue collection
• Contract law – law about legal agreements and obligations
• Corporate law – law concerning the operation of companies
• Commercial law – law related to business and commerce
• Family law – law dealing with family matters like divorce or custody
• Environmental law – law that protects the environment

• Statute / Statutory provision – a written law passed by a legislative body
• Legal duty – an obligation required by law
• Moral obligation – an action one feels is right but is not legally required
• Jurisdiction – the authority of a court to hear a case
• Case-law – previous legal decisions used as a reference
• Legal title – official ownership of property or rights
• Legal authority – the legal right to act in a certain way
• Legal fees – money paid for legal services
• Right to remain silent – the right not to answer questions in court
• Right of petition – the right to make formal requests to authorities
• Petition – a written request to a court or authority
• Legal aid – free or low-cost legal help for those in need
• Legal assistance – help or support in legal matters
• Pro bono – legal work done for free
• To be subject to – to be affected or governed by a rule or law
• Force majeure – unforeseeable events that prevent contract fulfillment
• Liability – legal responsibility for something
• Penal liability – criminal responsibility under the law
• Third-party liability – responsibility for damages to others
• Confidentiality agreement / NDA – a contract to keep information private
• Non-disclosure and non-use – agreement not to reveal or use certain information
• Binding / Non-binding – legally enforceable / not legally enforceable
• Lawful / Unlawful – allowed / not allowed by law
• To be lawful / lawfully – to act according to the law / in a legal way
• To breach an agreement – to break a legal contract
• Statutory rights – legal rights protected by law

📘 Types of contracts & agreements

• Contract / Agreement – A legal document that shows a promise between parties.
• Sales agreement – A contract where one party agrees to sell goods to another.
• Loan agreement – A contract about lending money and paying it back.
• License agreement – A contract allowing use of property or rights under conditions.
• Employment contract – A contract between an employer and an employee.
• Service contract – A contract for providing services.
• Standard agreement – A common or usual contract used often.
• Close-ended contract – A contract with a fixed end date.
• Open-ended contract – A contract without a fixed end date.
• Confidential disclosure agreement (CDA) – A contract to keep shared information secret.
• Non-disclosure agreement (NDA) – A contract to not share private information.

📑 Contract terms & clauses

• Clause / Provision – A specific part or rule in a contract.
• Binding / Non-binding – Means the contract must be followed / means it is not required to be followed.
• Governing law – The law that applies to the contract.
• Breach of agreement – Breaking the contract rules.
• Termination of contract – Ending the contract before it normally finishes.
• Outstanding fee – Money that still needs to be paid.
• Milestone – An important step or event in the contract.
• Liquidated damages – Pre-agreed money paid for breaking the contract.
• Waiver – Giving up a right or claim.
• Remedy – A way to fix a problem under the contract.
• Parties – The people or groups involved in the contract.
• Signatory – A person who signs the contract.
• Accrued rights – Rights that have been earned over time.
• Under this agreement – According to this contract.

🏢 Commercial & business law

• Business lawyer – A lawyer who helps with business legal matters.
• Corporate entity – A company or legal organization.
• Natural or legal person – A real person or a company recognized by law.
• Joint venture – Two or more businesses working together on a project.
• Incorporated and registered – Officially formed and recorded company.
• Registered office – The official address of a company.
• Trade secret – Important confidential business information.
• Know-how – Practical knowledge or skills.
• Trademark – A symbol or name protecting a brand.
• Patent – Legal right for an invention.
• Trade name – The business name used in trade.

🧾 Tendering & procurement

• Procurement – The process of buying goods or services.
• Procurement process – Steps followed to buy goods or services.
• Request for quotation (RFQ) – Asking for price offers.
• Request for proposal (RFP) – Asking for detailed offers or plans.
• Request for expression of interest – Asking if companies want to participate.
• Solicitation – Invitation to submit offers or bids.
• Bidding documents – Papers needed to make an offer.
• Bidder / Offeror – A person or company making an offer.
• To award a contract – To give a contract to someone.
• Tender bid assessment – Evaluating the offers.
• Competitive range – The group of best offers.
• Selection criteria – Rules for choosing the best offer.
• Joint inspection – Checking work or goods together.
• Statement of work (SOW) – A detailed description of the work to do.

📜 Legal & official documents

• Legal document – A document with legal effect.
• Public legal document – An official, certified document (authentic act).
• Private legal document – A document signed privately without official certification.
• Written statement – A document explaining facts in writing.
• Prior statement – An earlier written explanation or declaration.
• Transcript – An official written record of spoken words.
• Affidavit – A sworn written statement.
• Notarized document – A document certified by a notary public.
• Death certificate – Official proof of someone's death.
• Certified copy – A copy officially confirmed as true.
• Oath – A formal promise to tell the truth.
• To take an oath – To make a formal promise.
• Under oath – While having promised to tell the truth.

📑 Correspondence & formalities

• Written notice – A formal written message to inform someone.
• Facsimile receipt – Confirmation that a fax was received.
• Registered or certified post – Mail sent with official tracking and proof.
• Snail mail – Regular postal mail (slow, informal).
• Attached / Enclosed – Documents included with a letter or email.
• On behalf of – Representing someone else.
• Nominated communication – A chosen method or person for communication.
• Signatory – A person who signs a document.
• We, the undersigned – The people who have signed below.
• In my capacity as – In my role as / with the authority of.

🏛️ Administrative and notarial roles

• Legal representative – A person authorized to act legally for another.
• Legal assistant – A person helping lawyers with their work.
• Legal advisor – A person giving legal advice.
• Attorney – A person authorized to represent someone else.
• Notary / Solicitor – A legal professional who certifies documents or advises clients.
• Clerk – A person who manages administrative tasks or records.
• Declarant – A person making a formal statement or declaration.

📂 Acts, annexes & contract structure

• The schedules form part of this agreement – The attachments are officially part of the contract.
• Statute or statutory provision – A law or legal rule.
• General terms and conditions – Standard rules that apply to a contract.
• Agreed terms – Conditions that all parties have accepted.
• Provisions – Specific rules or parts in a contract.
• Nothing herein shall be construed as... – Nothing in this document should be understood as...
• This agreement supersedes any previous commitment – This contract replaces all earlier agreements.
• Save where the context otherwise requires – Except when the situation means otherwise.

📃 Contracts and leases

• Lease – A legal agreement to rent property
• Rental agreement – A contract outlining rental terms
• Lease agreement – A specific type of rental contract
• To sign a lease – To officially agree to rent a property
• To terminate a lease – To end a rental agreement early
• Landlord – The owner who rents out the property
• Tenant – The person who rents the property
• Eviction – Legal process to remove a tenant
• Renter insurance – Insurance protecting tenants’ belongings
• Security deposit – Money held to cover damages or unpaid rent
• Subletting – Renting the property to another person

🏢 Property management & status

• Real estate – Land and buildings
• Property management – Overseeing rental properties
• Property title – Legal proof of ownership
• Salvage title / Salvaged title – Ownership of a damaged or recovered property
• Encumbrance – A legal claim or debt on a property
• Landlock – Land without access to public roads
• Background check – Verification of tenant’s history
• Visual status survey – Inspection of the property’s condition
• Inspection – Examining the property for issues
• Joint inspection – Inspection done together by landlord and tenant

🔧 Works & conditions

• Schedule of conditions – List describing property condition
• Works packages – Groups of construction or repair tasks
• Site handover – Official transfer of property control
• Renovate for profit – Improve property to increase its value
• Undervalued properties – Properties priced below their true worth
• Achieve quick wins – Complete easy improvements rapidly

🛡️ Insurance & disputes

• Insurance for damage to property – Coverage for harm to buildings or belongings
• Professional indemnity insurance – Insurance protecting professionals against claims
• Additional compensation – Extra payment awarded beyond basic damages
• Dispute resolution – Process of solving conflicts
• Claim – Request for payment or remedy
• To award compensation – To grant payment for damages

⚖️ Litigation & lawsuits

• Lawsuit – A legal case brought to court
• To bring a lawsuit – To start legal action against someone
• To sue someone – To take legal action against a person
• Complaint – Formal statement of a claim or grievance
• Plaintiff – The person who starts the lawsuit
• Defendant – The person accused or sued
• Claim – A demand for remedy or compensation
• To file a complaint – To officially submit a legal claim
• To dismiss a claim – To reject a legal request
• To maintain a suit – To continue pursuing a legal case

🧾 Procedure & judgment

• Proceedings – Legal steps in a case
• To initiate legal proceedings – To begin a legal process
• To appear in court – To be present at a trial
• Judgment – Official decision by a court
• Final judgment – The last and binding court decision
• Judgment of non-suit – Case dismissal without a decision on the merits
• To release a judgment – To make a court decision public
• To quash an appeal – To reject a request to review a case
• To refute an argument – To prove an argument wrong
• Procedural error – Mistake in the legal process
• Loophole – Legal gap allowing avoidance of rules

🕊️ Alternative dispute resolution

• Settlement – Agreement to resolve a dispute
• To reach a settlement – To come to an agreement
• To cut the deal – To finalize an agreement
• Amicable settlement – Friendly resolution without court
• Arbitration – Private method for settling disputes
• To arbitrate – To judge a dispute as an arbitrator
• Dispute resolution – Process of solving disagreements
• Conflict of interest – Situation where personal interests clash

📑 Documents & notifications

• Legal notice – Formal written warning or notification
• Written notice – Official written communication
• Transcript of testimony – Written record of spoken evidence
• Record – Collection of documents or evidence
• Court records – Official files of a legal case
• Prior statement – Earlier declaration or testimony
• Written statement – Document containing facts or claims
• Declarant – Person making a statement

👪 Family relationships

• Family law – The branch of law dealing with family matters and domestic relations.
• Marriage – The legal union between two people as partners in a personal relationship.
• Divorce – The legal ending of a marriage.
• Mutual consent – Agreement between both parties involved.
• Separation – When a couple lives apart but is not legally divorced.
• Alimony – Money paid by one ex-spouse to the other for support after divorce.
• To file for divorce – To officially ask the court to end a marriage.
• A petition for divorce – A formal request submitted to start divorce proceedings.
• Legal representative – A person authorized to act on behalf of another in legal matters.

👶 Filiation, paternity & parenthood

• Paternity test – A medical test to determine if someone is the biological father of a child.
• To father a child – To be the biological father of a child.
• Biological father – The man who genetically fathered the child.
• Legal father – The man recognized by law as the father.
• To put a child on someone – To blame or accuse someone of being the father (informal).
• Unfit parent – A parent considered unsuitable or incapable of caring for a child.
• Unfit mother – A mother judged incapable of providing proper care.
• Custody – The legal right to care for and make decisions about a child.
• Shared custody – When both parents have legal rights and responsibilities for the child.
• Parental authority – The legal rights and responsibilities parents have over their child.
• Guardianship – The legal responsibility for taking care of someone, usually a child, appointed by a court.

🧒 Childhood, abuse & protection

• Child abuse – Harm or mistreatment of a child.
• Neglected child – A child not given proper care or attention.
• Abused – Treated badly or harmed physically, emotionally, or sexually.
• Molestation – Sexual assault or unwanted sexual contact.
• That’s molestation – This is sexual assault.
• Domestic violence – Violence occurring within a family or household.
• Rehabilitation – The process of helping someone recover from abuse or addiction.
• Inpatient rehab – Rehabilitation treatment given while staying in a medical facility.

🎉 Other personal & social notions

• To be on the break – To be temporarily separated in a romantic relationship.
• To get into an argument – To start a conflict or fight with someone.
• To be a rebound – To be a short-term relationship following a breakup.
• That was a splurge – That was an extravagant or impulsive action.
• Child gender reveal – An event or announcement revealing the baby's sex.
• Umbilical cord cutting – The act of cutting the baby's umbilical cord after birth.

🔍 Frequent expressions in legal context

• To be on remand – To be held in custody while waiting for trial.
• To remand sb in custody – To keep someone in jail before trial.
• To remand sb on bail – To release someone before trial under a financial guarantee.
• Case remanded for a week – The trial or hearing postponed for one week.
• To bring the case to court – To start legal proceedings by presenting a case to a court.
• To be due in court – To have to appear at court on a scheduled date.
• To remain at the stand – To stay at the witness stand during trial.
• To bring the lawsuit – To file a legal action against someone.
• To sue someone – To take legal action against someone in court.
• To be charged for murder/firearm – To be formally accused of murder or illegal weapon possession.
• He is convicted on two counts – He is found guilty of two charges.
• Wrongful conviction – Being found guilty of a crime one did not commit.

💬 Specific phrases & expressions

• Effective immediately – Starting right away.
• It's all just a hoax – It is a false story or trick.
• That’s molestation – That is sexual assault.
• The criminal is at large – The criminal is free and not caught.
• A pool of blood – A small area covered in blood.
• A scallywag man – A naughty or mischievous man.
• The present term is over – The current period or mandate has ended.

📌 Common words & collocations

• Legal assistance – Help with legal matters.
• Legal fees – Money paid for lawyer services.
• Legal title – The official ownership document.
• Legal document – An official paper used in legal matters.
• Legal advisor – A person who gives legal advice.
• Legal representative – Someone authorized to act legally for another.
• To testify under oath – To give evidence while promising to tell the truth.
• To give evidence – To provide proof or information in court.
• To claim damages – To ask for money to compensate for harm.
• To cut a deal – To make an agreement.
• To take legal action – To start a formal legal case.

📝 Standard clauses & wording

• This agreement is entered into on... – This contract is made on...
• It is agreed and acknowledged that... – All parties agree and accept that...
• Nothing herein shall be construed as... – Nothing in this document should be understood as...
• ...shall be of like effect as... – ...will have the same legal impact as...
• This agreement supersedes any previous commitment – This contract replaces any earlier agreements
• If any part of this agreement is held void... – If a part of this contract is declared invalid...
• The parties agree to act in good faith... – All involved agree to behave honestly and fairly...
• Subject to any other provision herein – Except as stated elsewhere in this document
• On behalf of... – Representing...
• In his / my capacity as... – In his / my official role as...

📎 Common contractual terms

• Permitted assigns / assignees – People or entities allowed to receive rights or duties under the contract
• The Schedules form part of this agreement – Appendices or attachments are included in this contract
• Statute or statutory provision – A law or legal rule made by the government
• Registered office – The official address of a company
• Natural or legal person – A human being or an organization recognized by law
• Mutual covenants – Promises or obligations made by both parties
• Termination of agreement – Ending or canceling the contract
• Written notice – A formal message or communication in writing
• Outstanding fee – Money that is still owed
• Governing law and dispute resolution – The legal system and method to solve disagreements

📑 Confidentiality, legal clause & liability

• Confidential disclosure agreement – A contract to keep shared information secret
• Trade secret / know-how – Valuable private business information or skills
• To be bound by general confidentiality – Required to keep information private
• Non-disclosure and non-use – Agreement not to share or use confidential info
• Subject to lawful order – Following a legal command or instruction
• Restricted basis – Limited or controlled use
• Standard of care – Level of carefulness required by law
• No waiver / No remedy – No giving up of rights / No available legal solution
• To claim a dispute – To formally state a disagreement or conflict

🖋️ Signature & final clauses

• I / We, the undersigned – I / We who signed below
• The signatory – The person who signs
• We, the undersigned, are authorized to... – We who signed are allowed to...
• An authorized signature to the effect that... – A signature with official approval stating that...
• To certify as correct – To confirm that something is true and accurate
• This agreement shall come into force from the effective date – This contract starts to be valid from the specified date

📄 Documents and procedures

• RFP (Request for Proposals) – A document asking companies to submit offers for a project
• EOI (Expression of Interest) – A statement showing interest in a project or contract
• SoW (Statement of Work) – A detailed description of work to be done
• NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement) – A contract to keep information confidential
• LOI (Letter of Intent) – A letter stating preliminary agreement or interest
• ToR (Terms of Reference) – A document describing roles, responsibilities, or scope
• CDR (Confidential Disclosure Agreement) – An agreement to share sensitive information confidentially

🏛️ Institutions & legal frameworks

• UNODC – United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UN agency fighting drugs and crime)
• ICC – International Criminal Court (court dealing with serious crimes worldwide)
• ICJ – International Court of Justice (the UN’s main judicial body)
• WIPO – World Intellectual Property Organization (agency for protecting inventions and creativity)
• OHADA – Organization for the Harmonization of Business Law in Africa

⚙️ Contractual & commercial acronyms

• JV (Joint Venture) – A business partnership between two or more companies
• IRR (Internal Rate of Return) – A calculation of investment profitability
• ERR (Economic Rate of Return) – A measure of economic efficiency of a project
• KPI (Key Performance Indicator) – A metric to evaluate success or performance
• SLA (Service Level Agreement) – A contract defining service standards

🧾 Regulations & professional practices

• HIA (Health Impact Assessment) – Evaluation of effects on public health
• VCT (Voluntary Counseling and Testing) – Voluntary HIV testing and counseling services
• AML (Anti-Money Laundering) – Laws to prevent money laundering activities
• CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) – Company practices for social and environmental responsibility