Legal terms in English with translation, of course, can be found in reference books, but first of all, basic knowledge of the language is required.
If we take, for example, legal science, it used to be the limit of perfection for a lawyer to have knowledge in the field of law. Now that the world has changed, and all spheres of life have reached other limits, going far beyond the boundaries of one country.
Business, science and other industries have acquired an international dimension, and cooperation with foreign countries is rapidly developing.
There is an urgent need for knowledge foreign languages. This is especially true for lawyers who are constantly faced with documents that require translation.
Legal terms in English with translation
Once sounded the conclusion of experts that a person uses only 5% of the capabilities of his brain. This information could not but become an impetus for people to use the intellect more actively and develop it.
Now it is difficult to surprise someone with knowledge of a foreign language, but in the legal field it has its own specifics and requires remarkable abilities in a translation agency for vacancies without experience. This is exactly the case when more active use of mental abilities is required.
English colloquial and legal are two big differences. Passive combinations, full sentences, introductory constructions - all this greatly complicates legal terms in English with translation into Russian.
Such phrases may not be encountered at all when learning a language. But in legal practice, they are found in almost every sentence of documents.
Here are some of the legal terms:
- counterclaim - counterclaim
- Commission of crime - commit crime
- criminal offense - felony
- jury trial - trial by jury
- compensation for damage - indemnification
Why do you need a dictionary of legal terms
Even at the very high level knowledge in English will have to refer to the reference literature to clarify the translation of a particular term.
After all, in English the same word or expression has several meanings.
You can use print media: English-Russian dictionaries, dictionaries of legal terms in English. You can download a special program to your computer or turn to an online translation.
On the Internet, you can find tables containing translations from English of the most common terms. This greatly simplifies the task of preparing a document in Russian.
Each table has a separate direction, for example, criminal law, civil law or for the translation of documents on international business.
Translation of legal terms from English
It is one thing when a lawyer only sometimes encounters the problem of translation. Another thing is translation agencies that have top-class specialists.
For them, legal terms in English with a translation into Russian are as common as any other translation. After all, they have many years of experience in this area.
Most often, a similar problem with translation occurs among businessmen who are engaged in a joint business with foreign partners.
Some documents, for example, contracts, certificates, require not only ultra-accurate translation, but also notarization. Such services are also at the disposal of translation agencies.
By the way, a private person may also need such services, for example, when entering into a marriage with a foreigner, for processing documents for studying in a foreign country. educational institution. Only professional translators can handle this task.
HOW TO ORDER A TRANSLATION
Our readers have been asking us for a long time to create a manual for learning English for lawyers. This is not an easy task, but nevertheless we have prepared such material for you. It will be useful not only to representatives of this profession: many terms are often used in the news, so it will be easier for you to understand what the announcer is talking about.
To begin with, we would like to turn to lawyers who are not sure that knowledge of English will be useful in their work. Every year, the process of globalization affects careers more and more: if before English was required for literally a few specialties, now almost every second employer requires knowledge of English, even if you do not work directly with foreign clients. And if we are talking about a prestigious international company, then only people with a level not lower than Intermediate have a chance to get into the desired position. Of course, it is up to you to decide whether it is worth acquiring new knowledge, but we still advise you to read our article and think about it.
Basic dictionary of legal terms in English
In this part of the article, we will short dictionary basic legal terms, without knowledge of which it is difficult for lawyers to do. To make it easier for you to remember and use these words correctly, we recommend using the lingvolive.com dictionary. Enter any term in the search bar and under the translation you will see live examples from legal texts using this word. Write out any sentence and learn the word in context.
Now let's find out how different types and areas of law (law) sound in English. By the way, the word law means not only the right, but also the law in a broad sense, as well as a legislative act.
Word/Phrase | Translation |
---|---|
Bankruptcy law | bankruptcy law |
civil law | Civil law |
company law | Legislation on business companies |
competition law | Antitrust, competition protection |
contract law | Contract law |
criminal law | Criminal law |
Employment law | Labor law |
environmental law | Environmental regulations |
family law | Family law |
health law | health law |
immigration law | immigration law |
intellectual property law | Intellectual Property Law |
international law | International law |
military law | military law |
private law | Private right |
Procedural law | procedural law |
public law | Public (public) law |
real estate law | Real estate law |
substantive law | Substantive law |
tax law | Tax law |
As you can see, there are a lot of types of law, and each of them has its own terms. We would like to give you the most commonly used definitions from different sections of law, based on the textbook Absolute Legal English. Let's try to learn the basic terminology.
Intellectual property law - Intellectual property law
Word/Phrase | Translation |
---|---|
A commercial name | Trade, company name |
A license | License |
A patent | Patent |
A reproduction | playback; copy |
A trademark | Trademark |
Author's rights | Copyright |
Copyright | Publishing law, right of reprint/staging |
Disclosure | Disclosure, disclosure |
industrial property | Industrial property (a kind of intellectual property) |
Infringement /ɪnˈfrɪndʒmənt/ | Violation (of rights, law, norms), infringement (of copyright) |
Competition law - Antimonopoly law, protection of competition
Word/Phrase | Translation |
---|---|
A criminal sanction | Criminal punishment, sanction |
a trust | Trust (association of similar enterprises) |
anticompetitive practices | Practice of unfair competition, monopolistic practice |
antitrust law | Antitrust Law |
business entities | Business entities |
Monopoly | Monopoly |
Predatory pricing | Dumping (artificial price reduction) |
price gouging | Speculation, artificial inflation of prices |
Conspiracy | Collusion |
To dominate | Dominate, dominate (in the market) |
To restrict | restrict, block |
Unenforceable | Void |
Employment law - Labor law
Word | Translation |
---|---|
A pension | Pension |
Benefits | Compensation payments, benefits, allowances (what is paid in addition to the basic salary) |
Discrimination | Discrimination |
Dismissal | Dismissal |
Recruitment | Recruitment |
redundancy | Dismissal (usually downsizing) |
Severance | severance pay |
Termination | Termination of the contract/agreement |
trade union | union |
work force | Personnel, employees of the enterprise, labor force |
Contract law - Contract law
Word/Phrase | Translation |
---|---|
A warranty | Product warranty providing replacement/repair |
Ambiguity /ˌæmbɪˈɡjuːəti/ of expressions | Ambiguity of terms/formulations |
An anticipatory breach | Violation of a treaty prior to its entry into force |
Duties | Responsibilities |
Liability | Financial, debt obligations |
reputation | Cancellation, termination, unilateral refusal |
Terms | Conditions of a contract) |
To discharge | cancel, terminate |
To draft a contract | Conclude an agreement |
Enforceable | Legally binding, enforceable |
non-binding | Non-binding |
Real property law - Real estate law
Word/Phrase | Translation |
---|---|
A landlord | Landlord, real estate owner |
A tenant | Tenant |
An heir /eə(r)/ | Heir |
Easement | Servitude (limited right to use land) |
estate | property, possession |
Fee simple | The right to inherit without restrictions |
Fee tail | Limited inheritance right |
Freehold | Freehold ownership of real estate |
Leasehold | Rented property |
life estate | Property in lifetime possession |
Rent | Rent |
Reversion | Reverse transfer of rights to the original owner; the right to redeem mortgaged or alienated real estate for debts |
Company law - The law governing the activities of joint-stock companies (Corporate law)
Word | Translation |
---|---|
Bankruptcy | Bankruptcy, insolvency |
Consent | consent, permission |
Enlargement | Consolidation (enterprises) |
recession | crisis, recession |
Remuneration | fee, payment, remuneration |
Repayment | Return, repayment of debt |
Sustainability | The ability to stay at the same level for a long time |
To contribute | Contribute |
To maintain | Support |
To remedy | fix, eliminate |
Well, are you ready to continue? All of the terminology listed above refers to individual areas of law, but there is vocabulary that almost every lawyer needs to know. These words characterize judicial activities, pre-trial proceedings, as well as the results of trials and types of punishments. Interested? Then let's get acquainted with these terms.
Word/Phrase | Translation |
---|---|
A breach /briːtʃ/ /violation /ˌvaɪəˈleɪʃ(ə)n/ of (the) law | Law violation |
A case | A court case |
A complaint | Complaint, lawsuit |
a contract | agreement, deal |
A defense | Response to the statement of claim, defense in court, argumentation of the accused |
A defender | accused, defendant |
A fine | Fine |
A hearing | Court session, hearing |
a judge | Referee |
A jury | jury |
A law suit | Litigation, legal dispute, civil suit |
A legal action | Litigation, litigation, litigation |
A litigant /ˈlɪtɪɡənt/ | Either party to a lawsuit (plaintiff or defendant) |
A plaintiff | plaintiff, claimant |
A prosecution attorney / prosecutor | prosecutor, prosecutor |
A tribunal | Special court: labor relations court, tribunal, etc. |
A verdict /ˈvɜː(r)dɪkt/ | Verdict, jury decision |
An accusation (of) | accusation (of something) |
An allegation (of) | Statement (about something) in court (usually unfounded), statement without evidence of guilt |
An injunction | Injunction prohibiting injunction |
An offense | Offense |
A settlement | settlement agreement |
Court | Court (as an abstract concept and place of the meeting) |
The court | Common name for jurors and judges |
Damage | Material compensation, compensation for damages |
Judgment | The court's decision |
law enforcement agency | judiciary, law enforcement agency |
legal abuse | Breaking the law, abusing the law |
legal proceeding | Litigation, procedural actions |
Legislation | Legislation, law |
trial | hearing, litigation, litigation |
To accuse | Blame |
To appeal | Appeal, protest (judgment) |
to fine | to fine |
Binding (document, decision) | Binding (document, decision) |
civil | Civil law, civil (non-criminal, non-military) |
Judicial /dʒuːˈdɪʃ(ə)l/ | Judicial, legal |
Legal | legal, lawful |
Well, knowing the words alone is not enough: you need to be able to combine them correctly. Below you will see some expressions that will be useful to remember in their entirety, without parsing into individual words.
phrase | Translation |
---|---|
A charge against | accusation against someone |
A heavy/substantial/large fine | Large fine |
A minor /ˈmaɪnə(r)/ offence | petty offense |
To accuse falsely | accuse falsely, slander |
To accuse someone of something / To accuse someone of doing something | Blame someone for something / Blame someone for doing something |
to appear in court | Appear in court |
To assert your rights | To stand for your rights |
To be charged with an offense / a crime | Being charged with an offense/crime |
To be guilty of... | Be guilty of... |
Come to trial | Get to court (about the case) |
To deny/refute /rɪˈfjuːt/ allegations | Deny / refute the statement, unfounded accusation |
To face/get a fine | Get fined You'll face/get a fine. - You will be fined. |
To file a lawsuit | sue, file a case |
To make allegations against / about someone | To make a statement against/about someone |
To make/bring an accusation against someone | to bring charges against someone, to accuse someone |
To pay a fine | To pay a fine |
To preside over a court/case | Lead a court session |
To stand trial | to answer to the court, to stand before the court |
Please note that we have included only the main terms for each topic as an example. If you want to get more complete knowledge, you need to take one of the special textbooks, which we will talk about at the end of the article, and study with it. And in order to quickly master it and easily understand difficult moments, we recommend that you turn to. They will help you greatly improve your knowledge.
Criminal law - dictionary of criminal law in English
This area of law is rich in specific terms, so we decided to pay more attention to it than to others. And we will start by studying the names of crimes in English. A complete dictionary with the names of criminals who commit illegal acts can be found in the article " Types of crimes in English". Here we present some basic terms.
Word/Phrase | Translation |
---|---|
(A) burglary /ˈbɜː(r)ɡləri/ | Break-in |
(A) car/auto theft /θeft/ | car theft |
(A) murder | Intentional killing |
(A)rape | Rape |
(A) robbery | Robbery, theft |
An outrage | Gross violation, crime, outrage |
Blackmail | Blackmail |
drug trafficking | drug smuggling |
Fraud | Fraud |
Hijacking | Aircraft hijacking |
Illegal acts/actions | Illegal actions |
Kidnapping | Kidnapping |
Malfeasance /ˌmælˈfiːz(ə)ns/ | Abuse of position/power |
Manslaughter | Manslaughter |
Mugging | street robbery |
Shoplifting | shoplifting |
Skimming | A crime in which fraudsters read your data bank card while using an ATM |
smuggling | Smuggling |
Please note that next to some types of crimes, we have written in brackets the indefinite article a/an. The fact is that these words, depending on the context, can be both countable (used with the article) and uncountable (used without the indefinite article).
Are you going to become a lawyer and defend clients in court? Or maybe you want to become a prosecutor and fight crime? You must be able to correctly express your thoughts in English, using legal terms. In the table, we have collected for you the main words and phrases that you definitely need to know, and for additional knowledge, refer to the textbook.
Word/Phrase | Translation |
---|---|
a crime | A crime |
A victim | victim, victim |
a witness | Witness |
Disputes | Disagreements, disputes |
Evidence | Evidence, testimony (uncountable noun, used without article) |
Investigation of a crime | Investigation, investigation (of some crime) |
Prosecution | Accusation, criminal prosecution |
Testimony | Witness's testimonies |
To acquit | justify |
To arrest | Arrest, take into custody |
To be in custody | Be in custody (until trial) |
To commit | To commit a crime) |
To convict | Plead guilty, pronounce guilty verdict |
To incriminate | to incriminate (a crime), to charge |
To plead guilty / To admit guilt | plead guilty |
To plead innocent | Proclaim innocence |
To prosecute | Blame, prosecute |
Criminal | criminal, criminal |
Innocent | Innocent |
A criminal offense | Criminal offense |
Accused courtroom rights | Rights of the accused at trial |
Circumstantial evidence | Circumstantial evidence |
Conclusive/Incriminating/Hard evidence | Hard facts, hard evidence |
Juvenile /ˈdʒuːvənaɪl/ crime | Juvenile delinquency |
crime scene | Crime scene |
To arrest someone for something | Arrest someone for something |
To arrest someone on charges/suspicion of something | Arrest someone on a charge/suspicion of something |
To be under arrest | be under arrest |
To be under investigation | be under investigation |
To bring to responsibility / To bring to account | Bring to criminal responsibility |
To collect/gather evidence | Gather evidence Gather evidence |
To commit a crime / an offense (against) | Commit a crime (against) |
To commit a fraud | cheat |
To convict someone of an offense / a crime | Bring to criminal responsibility for the offense |
To drop the charges | Drop charges |
To escape prosecution | Avoid criminal prosecution |
To fight/combat crime | Fight crime |
To find someone guilty / not guilty of something | Find someone guilty/not guilty of something |
To give evidence | Testify, testify |
To press/prefer/bring charges | Press charges |
To produce evidence | present evidence |
To release someone without charge | Release without charge |
To solve a crime | Solve the crime |
What English Language Learning Resources Should Lawyers Use?
Of course, vocabulary and the knowledge of a lawyer is not limited to the vocabulary we have proposed. That's why we've put together resources for you to use to improve your knowledge. We recommend taking one of the textbooks below as a basis, in which case you will receive a "code of laws" of the English language - a clear program of action to improve your skills. And the sites will help you keep abreast of the latest developments in the legal world.
Which textbooks in English for lawyers we recommend to use:
- “Absolute Legal English Book (English for International Law)” by Helen Callanan and Lynda Edwards - used to prepare for the Cambridge ILEC Preparation Lawyer Exam.
- “Introduction to International Legal English (A course for classroom or self-study use)” by Amy Krois-Lindner and Matt Firth (Cambridge).
- “The Lawyer's English Language Coursebook” by Catherine Mason, Rosemary Atkins.
- “Career Path: LAW” by Virginia Evans, Jenny Dooley, David J. Smith.
- “English for Legal Professionals” by Andrew Frost.
- “Legal English: How to understand and master the language of law” by William R. McKay and Helen E. Charlton.
If you feel that the vocabulary of the main textbook is not enough, or you want to practice your knowledge with exercises, refer to the following guides:
- “Check Your English Vocabulary for Law” by Rawdon Wyatt.
- Oxford: Dictionary of Law by Elizabeth A Martin
- “Test Your Professional English: Law” by Nick Brieger
In addition to books, online resources will also come to your aid. To begin with, we want to introduce you to a very useful site from University of Cambridge cdextras.cambridge.org. Here you will find an interactive simulator for learning unfamiliar words. All terms are divided into topics - choose the one you need and learn new words, do exercises and play special games for better memorization.
- uscourts.gov is an online dictionary with simple explanations of terms.
- plainenglish.co.uk - a dictionary with basic terms and set phrases in PDF format.
- attorneygeneral.jus.gov.on.ca is another up-to-date dictionary of legal terms.
Prefer to read periodicals in English? Read not the entertainment press, but the professional one. Online newspapers and legal journals will greatly help you in learning this complex area of the language and provide you with all the relevant information in this area.
10 educational platforms: where to get knowledge in English.
We have tried to make it as useful as possible for you. complete guide for the study of English for lawyers. If we have not mentioned some resource known to you, write about it in the comments, we will gladly supplement our article.
And if you want to learn English for lawyers quickly and professionally, we invite you to, in which you will learn only the vocabulary and grammar you need.
We have compiled a document for you, which contains all the words and expressions on this topic. You can download it from the link below.
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If until recently, future and present lawyers needed only knowledge of law, various codes, then today English cannot be bypassed. Modern society strives to work with foreign partners, firms, concludes contracts and maintains business correspondence. All documents that are the guarantor of rights and obligations are drawn up both in the language of representatives and in a foreign one. What is Legal English?
Essentially, the basis is the same. If we compare, for example, with the spoken language, then the grammatical side in this area is more strict. Complete sentences, passive constructions, introductory phrases. Therefore, for starters, you need to take a basic English course. It is a completely different matter in a set of words. Vocabulary legal documents differs in the number of different terms, some of which are repeated from document to document. In the usual, general study of the language, you can never encounter them. But when you open any contract or agreement, the first thing you will do is take a look at these “words”.
Legal terms
Translators must have at least elementary knowledge of law and legal documents. After all, the English language is full of words with different values. And each time to hit the sky with a finger - at random, it will not always work. For this reason, when translating various agreements, documents into or from English, it is necessary to look into the dictionary of legal terms. For example, you can use the following sources. Some of them can be downloaded and some are available online.
- English-Russian full legal dictionary, A.S. Mamulyan, S.Yu. Kashkin, Moscow, Sovetnik, 1993
- Black's Law Dictionary: Definitions of the Terms and Phrases of American and English Jurisprudence, Ancient and Modern
- online dictionaries
- Such as Lingvo, Multitran, Pollyglossum are dictionary programs that you can install on your computer.
A lawyer or translator, or just a person interested in jurisprudence, will be interested to know following words used in this system.
Approval | OK | Draw | attract |
Appointed | appointed | Discharges | release, release |
Are heard by | obey | Deliberation | deliberation |
array | list of jurors | Defendant | defendant |
Appeal | appeal, appeal | Defense | protection |
Amend | to amend (in a bill, proposal, etc.) | Counterclaim | counterclaim |
Accused | accused | Convict | convicted |
Agreement | agreement, contract | Commit crime | Commission of crime |
Adviser | adviser | Clerk of the Court | court clerk |
Advocacy | protection | Evidence | evidence, evidence |
Advice | consultation | Execute | fulfill |
Advise | recommend, advise | Exhibit | physical evidence |
Bear | lean | European Court of Human Rights | european court of human rights |
Be enforced | performed | Entitled | be entitled (to something) |
ailiff | bailiff | Foreman | foreman of the jury |
Byas | prejudice, prejudice | filed | submit a document |
barrister | lawyer, barrister (lawyers who have the exclusive right to speak in the highest courts) | Fine | fine |
Bar Council | bar council | Felony | criminal offense |
And a few more...
Guilty | guilty | Offender | offender |
Generate | call | oath | oath, oath |
Gaol | imprisonment | Party | side |
Home office/ Interior | min. internal affairs | Peremptory | unconditional, unconditional |
Impartial | fair, not prejudiced | petty crime | misdemeanor |
injure | cause damage | Plaintiff | plaintiff |
Influence | impact | point of law | legal issues (issues of law) |
Innocent | innocent | Prosecutor | prosecutor, prosecutor |
Investigate violence | investigate violent | president | preside |
Issue | controversial issue | Proceeding | litigation, procedural action |
Litigation | litigation, litigation | Prosecute | blame |
Legal | legal, legitimate | Sue | to submit a claim |
legal system | legislative system | Testify (to - in favor, against - against) / Testimony | testify / testify |
Legislation | legislation | theft | theft |
lawmaking | lawmaking | treaty | agreement, negotiation |
lawsuit | lawsuit, lawsuit | Trial by jury | trial by jury |
lawyer | advocate | Witness | witness |
Jurors | juror | Sitting | meeting |
Jury | jury | Review | revise |
Juvenile court | juvenile court | Referred | submitted for consideration |
When transferring contracts (contract), agreements (agreement), charters (charter) You will need the following expressions:
Limited Liability Company "Name" - "Name" Ltd
established and registered under the law - established and registered under the law of
hereinafter referred to as "Seller"
on the one hand / on the other hand - on the one hand / on the other hand
agreed on the following - have made this Contract on the following
complaints
All disputes and disagreements
Legal literature in English
There are a lot of textbooks, manuals, in which you can not only read individual articles on this topic, but also find legal texts in English with assignments. The latter are very effective in memorizing words and phrases. So that this is not a simple memorization, then use grammar exercises, where you can simultaneously practice both vocabulary and grammar.
Popular publications teaching aids the following can be distinguished.
- just english. English for lawyers. Basic course (2001-2008)
- just english. 101 Texts on Law. For future lawyers
- just english. Legal Crosswords
- Just English.Clones are Coming
- English for Lawyers: textbook English for Law Students, Zelikman A. Ya., Rostov-on-Don, "Phoenix", 2006
- English language for lawyers, Sheveleva S.A. , Publisher: Yuniti-Dana; 2005
- English for lawyers, Collective, Publisher: Omega — L, Year: 2006
- Course of legal translation, Nazarova.
- Translation in the field of jurisprudence, Borisova L.A. VSU, 2005.
- English in international documents: Law, trade, diplomacy: for students of the faculties of international relations, international law and foreign lang. / I. I. Borisenko, L. I. Evtushenko. Kyiv, 2001.
- English for Lawyers, Kolesnikova, Nina Anatolyevna: Moscow, 2006.
- English for lawyers. Branches of law: E. K. Pavlova, T. N. Shishkina. - Rostov-on-Don: Phoenix, 2002
- Test your professional English: Law: intermediate: upper-intermediate: advanced / Nick Brieger. — Harlow: Pearson Education; Harlow: Penguin English, 2006.
Thus, if you decide to take the English for Lawyers course on your own, then use our advice. First, constantly expand your vocabulary, use non-adapted documents for study, read more texts, carefully look at the construction of sentences. Correct and competent preparation of documents is a guarantee of business success.