1
MOST IMPORTANT LEGAL
VOCABULARY WORDS FOR
LAW ENTRANCE EXAMS
@Legaledge Tutorials Page 1 of 7
Replication or other unauthorized use of this material is prohibited by the copyright laws of India
1
LEGAL VOCABULARY WORDS FOR LAW
1. Abet - To encourage or assist someone to do 22. Coercion - The practice of persuading someone to do
something wrong, especially in committing a crime. something by using force or threats.
2. Acquit - To find not guilty of a criminal offense. 23. Collusion - Secret or illegal cooperation or conspiracy,
3. Adjudicate - To make a formal judgment or decision especially in order to cheat or deceive others.
about a problem or disputed matter. 24. Compensation - Something, typically money, awarded
4. Affidavit - A written statement confirmed by oath or to someone in recognition of loss, suffering, or injury.
affirmation, for use as evidence in court. 25. Complaint - A formal legal document setting out the
5. Alimony - A husband's or wife's court-ordered facts and legal reasons that the filing party believes
provision for a spouse after separation or divorce. are sufficient to support a claim against the party
6. Amend - Make changes to (a legal document or being sued.
legislative bill) in order to correct errors or improve 26. Conciliation - The action of stopping someone from
clarity. being angry; placation.
7. Annulment - A legal declaration that nullifies a 27. Conspiracy - A secret plan by a group to do something
marriage, declaring it as if it never existed. unlawful or harmful.
8. Appeal - Apply to a higher court for a reversal of the 28. Constitution - A body of fundamental principles or
decision of a lower court. established precedents according to which a state or
9. Arbitration - The use of an arbitrator to settle a other organization is acknowledged to be governed.
dispute. 29. Contempt of Court - The offense of being disobedient
10. Assault - A physical attack or a threat of attack. to or disrespectful toward a court of law and its
11. Bail - Temporary release of an accused person officers.
awaiting trial, sometimes on condition that a sum of 30. Contract - A written or spoken agreement, especially
money be lodged to guarantee their appearance in one concerning employment, sales, or tenancy, that is
court. intended to be enforceable by law.
12. Bankruptcy - The legal state of being unable to repay 31. Conviction - A formal declaration that someone is
debts. guilty of a criminal offense.
13. Barrister - A lawyer entitled to practice as an advocate, 32. Corroboration - Evidence that confirms or supports a
particularly in the higher courts. statement, theory, or finding; confirmation.
14. Bequeath - Leave (a personal estate or one's body) to 33. Counsel - The lawyer or lawyers conducting a case.
a person or other beneficiary by a will. 34. Counterclaim - A claim made to rebut accusations
15. Bigamy - The act of going through a marriage against the claimant.
ceremony while already married to another person. 35. Cross-examination - The examination of a witness
16. Breach - An act of breaking or failing to observe a law, who has already testified in order to check or
agreement, or code of conduct. discredit the witness's testimony, knowledge, or
17. Capital Punishment - The legally authorized killing of credibility.
someone as punishment for a crime. 36. Custody - The protective care or guardianship of
18. Case Law - The law as established by the outcome of someone or something.
former cases. 37. Damages - Monetary compensation awarded to
19. Caveat Emptor - Let the buyer beware; the principle someone in recognition of loss, suffering, or injury.
that the buyer alone is responsible for checking the 38. De facto - In fact, or in effect, whether by right or not.
quality and suitability of goods before a purchase is 39. De jure - According to rightful entitlement or claim; by
made. right.
20. Certiorari - A writ or order by which a higher court 40. Defamation - The action of damaging the good
reviews a decision of a lower court. reputation of someone; slander or libel.
21. Clemency - Mercy or leniency granted to an offender 41. Defendant - An individual, company, or institution
by a chief executive. sued or accused in a court of law.
@Legaledge Tutorials Page 2 of 7
Replication or other unauthorized use of this material is prohibited by the copyright laws of India
1
42. Deposition - The process of giving sworn evidence. 64. Insolvency - The state of being unable to pay the
43. Discovery - The compulsory disclosure, by a party to money owed, by a person or company, on time;
an action, of relevant documents referred to by the bankruptcy.
other party. 65. Interrogatories - A set of written questions to be
44. Dissent - The expression or holding of opinions at answered by a party in a lawsuit, a part of the
variance with those previously, commonly, or discovery process.
officially held. 66. Intestate - Not having made a will before one dies.
45. Divorce - The legal dissolution of a marriage by a 67. Jurisdiction - The official power to make legal
court or other competent body. decisions and judgments.
46. Doctrine - A belief or set of beliefs held and taught by 68. Jury - A body of people (typically twelve in number)
a church, political party, or other group. sworn to give a verdict in a legal case on the basis of
47. Due Process - Fair treatment through the normal evidence submitted to them in court.
judicial system, especially as a citizen's entitlement. 69. Larceny - Theft of personal property.
48. Embezzlement - Theft or misappropriation of funds 70. Legislation - Laws, considered collectively.
placed in one's trust or belonging to one's employer. 71. Liability - The state of being responsible for
49. Equity - The quality of being fair and impartial. something, especially by law.
50. Estate - An area or amount of land or property, in 72. Lien - A right to keep possession of property
particular. belonging to another person until a debt owed by that
51. Evidence - The available body of facts or information person is discharged.
indicating whether a belief or proposition is true or 73. Litigation - The process of taking legal action.
valid. 74. Mandamus - A judicial writ issued as a command to an
52. Ex Parte - With respect to or in the interests of one inferior court or ordering a person to perform a
side only or of an interested outside party. public or statutory duty.
53. Extradition - The action of extraditing a person 75. Manslaughter - The crime of killing a human being
accused or convicted of a crime. without malice aforethought, or otherwise in
54. Felony - A crime, typically one involving violence, circumstances not amounting to murder.
regarded as more serious than a misdemeanor, and 76. Mediation - Intervention in a dispute in order to
usually punishable by imprisonment for more than resolve it; arbitration.
one year or by death. 77. Misdemeanor - A minor wrongdoing.
55. Fiduciary - Involving trust, especially with regard to 78. Mitigation - The action of reducing the severity,
the relationship between a trustee and a beneficiary. seriousness, or painfulness of something.
56. Foreclosure - The action of taking possession of a 79. Moot - Subject to debate, dispute, or uncertainty, and
mortgaged property when the mortgagor fails to keep typically not admitting of a final decision.
up their mortgage payments. 80. Negligence - Failure to take proper care in doing
57. Fraud - Wrongful or criminal deception intended to something.
result in financial or personal gain. 81. Notary - A person authorized to perform certain legal
58. Garnishment - A legal process by which a court orders formalities, especially to draw up or certify contracts,
the confiscation of part of an individual's salary or deeds, and other documents for use in other
property to pay off a debt. jurisdictions.
59. Habeas Corpus - A writ requiring a person under 82. Novation - The substitution of a new contract in place
arrest to be brought before a judge or into court, of an old one.
especially to secure the person's release unless lawful 83. Objection - An expression or feeling of disapproval or
grounds are shown for their detention. opposition; a reason for disagreeing.
60. Harassment - Aggressive pressure or intimidation. 84. Ordinance - A piece of legislation enacted by a
61. Hearsay - Information received from other people municipal authority.
that one cannot adequately substantiate; rumor. 85. Pardon - The action of forgiving or being forgiven for
62. Indictment - A formal charge or accusation of a an error or offense.
serious crime. 86. Parole - The release of a prisoner temporarily (for a
63. Injunction - An authoritative warning or order. special purpose) or permanently before the
completion of a sentence, on the promise of good
behavior.
@Legaledge Tutorials Page 3 of 7
Replication or other unauthorized use of this material is prohibited by the copyright laws of India
1
87. Patent - A government authority or license conferring 106. Trust - An arrangement whereby a person (a
a right or title for a set period, especially the sole right trustee) holds property as its nominal owner for the
to exclude others from making, using, or selling an good of one or more beneficiaries.
invention. 107. Unanimous - (Of two or more people) fully in
88. Perjury - The offense of willfully telling an untruth in agreement.
a court after having taken an oath or affirmation. 108. Verdict - A decision on a disputed issue in a civil or
89. Plaintiff - A person who brings a case against another criminal case or an inquest.
in a court of law. 109. Voir Dire - A preliminary examination of a witness or
90. Plea Bargain - An agreement between a defendant and a juror by a judge or counsel.
a prosecutor, in which the defendant agrees to plead 110. Waiver - The voluntary relinquishment or surrender
guilty to a particular charge in return for some of some known right or privilege.
concession from the prosecutor. 111. Warrant - A document issued by a legal or
91. Power of Attorney - The authority to act for another government official authorizing the police or some
person in specified legal or financial matters. other body to make an arrest, search premises, or
92. Precedent - An earlier event or action that is regarded carry out some other action relating to the
as an example or guide to be considered in administration of justice.
subsequent similar circumstances. 112. Will - A legal document by which a person expresses
93. Probate - The official proving of a will. their wishes as to how their property is to be
94. Prosecution - The institution and conducting of legal distributed at death, and names one or more persons,
proceedings against someone in respect of a criminal the executor(s), to manage the estate until its final
charge. distribution.
95. Quash - Reject or void, especially by legal procedure. 113. Witness - A person who sees an event, typically a
96. Rebuttal - A refutation or contradiction. crime or accident, take place.
97. Recidivism - The tendency of a convicted criminal to 114. Writ - A form of written command in the name of a
reoffend. court or other legal authority to act, or abstain from
98. Remand - Place (a defendant) on bail or in custody, acting, in some way.
especially when a trial is adjourned. 115. Zoning - The legislative process for dividing land into
99. Restitution - The restoration of something lost or zones for different uses.
stolen to its proper owner. 116. Jurisprudence - The theory or philosophy of law.
100. Subpoena - A writ ordering a person to attend a court. 117. Legalism - Excessive adherence to law or formula.
101. Summons - A legal document issued by a court or by 118. Litigant - A person involved in a lawsuit.
an administrative agency of government for various 119. Moot Court - A mock court where law students argue
purposes, including the service of a notice to appear imaginary cases for practice.
in court. 120. Negotiable Instrument - A document guaranteeing
102. Tort - A wrongful act or an infringement of a right the payment of a specific amount of money, either on
(other than under contract) leading to civil legal demand, or at a set time, with the payer named on
liability. the document.
103. Trademark - A symbol, word, or words legally 121. Ordinance - An authoritative order; a decree.
registered or established by use as representing a 122. Pleadings - Written statements filed with the court
company or product. that describe a party's legal or factual assertions
104. Treason - The crime of betraying one's country, about the case.
especially by attempting to kill or overthrow the 123. Pro Bono - For the public good; usually refers to
sovereign or government. professional work undertaken voluntarily and
105. Trial - A formal examination of evidence before a without payment.
judge, and typically before a jury, in order to decide 124. Pro Se - Representing oneself in a court proceeding
guilt in a case of criminal or civil proceedings. without the assistance of a lawyer.
@Legaledge Tutorials Page 5 of 7
Replication or other unauthorized use of this material is prohibited by the copyright laws of India
1
125. Real Property - Land, and generally whatever is 138. Testamentary - Relating to or bequeathed or
erected or growing upon or affixed to land. appointed through a will.
126. Rebuttal Witness - A witness introduced to 139. Trespass - Enter the owner's land or property
contradict or rebut evidence on the other side. without permission.
127. Reciprocal - Given, felt, or done in return. 140. Undue Influence - Unfair persuasion by one person
128. Redress - Remedy or compensation for a wrong or over another, often in a fiduciary relationship.
grievance. 141. Usury - The illegal action or practice of lending
129. Regulation - A rule or directive made and maintained money at unreasonably high rates of interest.
by an authority. 142. Vicarious Liability - Legal responsibility placed on
130. Relinquishment - Voluntarily giving up a claim, right, one person for the acts of another.
or possession. 143. Void - Not legally binding or enforceable.
131. Replevin - An action for recovering goods wrongfully 144. Voidable - Legally valid until declared void.
taken or detained. 145. Waive - Refrain from insisting on or using (a right or
132. Res Judicata - A matter that has been adjudicated by claim).
a competent court and therefore may not be pursued 146. White-Collar Crime - Financially motivated
further by the same parties. nonviolent crime committed by business and
133. Rescission - The revocation, cancellation, or repeal of government professionals.
a law, order, or agreement. 147. Witness Tampering - The act of attempting to alter
134. Slander - The action or crime of making a false or prevent the testimony of witnesses within
spoken statement damaging to a person's reputation. criminal or civil proceedings.
135. Specific Performance - A legal remedy for breach of 148. Writ of Certiorari - An order by a higher court
contract which requires the breaching party to directing a lower court to send up a case for review.
perform the contract, rather than simply paying 149. Writ of Habeas Corpus - A court order to a person or
damages. agency holding someone in custody to deliver the
136. Statute - A written law passed by a legislative body. imprisoned individual to the court issuing the order.
137. Subrogation - The assumption by a third party (such 150. Writ of Mandamus - An order from a court to an
as a second creditor or an insurance company) of inferior government official ordering the
another party's legal right to collect a debt or government official to properly fulfill their official
damages. duties or correct an abuse of discretion.
@Legaledge Tutorials Page 6 of 7
Replication or other unauthorized use of this material is prohibited by the copyright laws of India
