TRIMESTER I

Title of the subject: Legal English

Subject code: LLB125A Credits: 3

Rationale:
English is not a native language for legal professionals in India &in other non-English
countries. Moreover, they are required to learn this language from a technical context in
order to perform well in the field of law. Learning legal terms is important for the career
regardless of the country. The main reason behind this is the rise in globalization. Since a
lot of people study from one country and apply their learned skills by moving to another
country, it is important that one should be able to communicate well while as a legal
professional.

Learning objectives:
• A legal language is a formalized language based on logic rules which differs from
the ordinary natural language in vocabulary, morphology, syntax, and semantics, as
well as other linguistic features
• It aims to achieve consistency, validity, completeness and soundness, while keeping
the benefits of a human-like language such as intuitive execution,
complete meaning and open upgrade
• For lawyers operating internationally, communicating with clients and other
professionals across cultures requires a need for transnational legal awareness and
transcultural linguistic awareness
• It is because of the prevalence of the English language in international business
relations, as well as, its role as a legal language globally, a feeling has existed for a
long period in the international legal community that traditional English language
training is not sufficient to meet lawyers’ English language requirements. The main
reason for this is that such training generally ignores the ways in which English
usage may be modified by the particular demands of legal practice – and by the
conventions of legal English as a separate branch of English in itself

Module I:
Development of legal language
• Development of legal language in India
• Characteristics of Legal Language
• Indian languages as legal languages
• Latin words and expressions

Module II:
Latin legal maxims
• History of legal maxims
• Latin Maxims-
 Actio Personalis Moritur Cum Persona
Damnus Sine Injuria Esse Potest
Ex Nudo Pacto Non Oritur Actio Ex
Turpi Causa Non Oritir Actio Falsus
In Uno Falsus In Omnibus
In Jure Non Remota Causa, Sed Proxima Spectatus
Injuria Sine Damno
Nemo Dat Quod Non Habet Novus Actus
Interveniens.
Qui Facit Per Alium Facit Per Se.
Res Ipsa Loquitor
Respondent Superior
Rex Non Potest Peceare
Salus Populi Supreme Lex
Sic Utero Tuo Ut Alienum Non Leadas.
Ubi Jus Ibi Remedium
Ut Res Magis Valeat Quam Pereat
Volenti Non Fit Injuria

Module III:
Legal Writing
• General Principles of drafting.
• Pleadings.
• Affidavit.

Module IV:
Drafting of deeds/agreements
• Registered Rent Agreement
• Memorandum of Understanding  Gift Deed  Will.
• Power of Attorney
• Divorce Petition
List of must watch movies
1. To kill a mocking bird
2. Twelve angry men
3. The paper chase
4. Reversal of fortune
5. A separation Text books
1. Dr. K.L Bhatia, Textbook on Legal Language and Legal Writing, 2016
2. Dr. S.R. Myneni, Legal Language and Legal Writing, 2017
3. M.P Tandon and Nishi Behl, Legal Language and Legal Drafting with General
English.
4. S.R.A Rosedar, Legal Language and Legal Writing, 2016

Reference books
1. Adv. Rajaram Retawade, Legal English.
2. S.K Mishra, Legal Language, Legal Writing and General English.
3. Raymond Murphy, English Grammar in Use.