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
term meaning

guilty.

contract n. a formal agreement, usually in writing,

between two or more parties

Before signing the contract, get a lawyer to

check it for you.

court of n. the place where law cases are heard and

law 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
term meaning

DNA?

guilty adj. responsible for wrong; culpable

- guilt n. not guilty adj.

Do you think the jury will find the

defendant guilty?

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
term meaning

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.

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.
term meaning

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.

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.
term meaning

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 without detriment or damage to a legal right

prejudice or claim

You can plead guilty to one charge without

prejudice to any other charges you're
facing.