Common Legal Words Use In Court

A to Z Legal Vocabulary

1. Acquittal – When a person is declared not guilty by the court.
2. Adjudication – The process of making a formal judgment or decision.
3. Affidavit – A written statement made under oath.
4. Allegation – A claim made without proof yet.
5. Amendment – A change or addition to a legal document or law.
6. Appeal – Asking a higher court to review a decision.
7. Arbitration – A way to settle disputes outside of court through a neutral person.
8. Arraignment – Formal reading of charges against a person in court.
9. Bail – Temporary release of an accused person before trial, usually with a security deposit.
10. Bench – The judge(s) of a court.
11. Binding – Legally enforceable.
12. Breach of Contract – Failure to follow the terms of a contract.
13. Cause of Action – The legal reason to bring a case to court.
14. Caveat – A formal warning or request to not take action without notice.
15. Charge Sheet – A formal document by police listing accusations.
16. Cognizable Offence – A crime where police can arrest without a warrant.
17. Complaint – A formal statement alleging wrongdoing.
18. Conciliation – Resolving disputes through discussion and compromise.
19. Confession – An admission of guilt.
20. Contempt of Court – Disrespect or disobedience to a court order.
21. Conviction – A formal declaration that a person is guilty.
22. Cross-examination – Questioning of a witness by the opposing party.
23. Custody – Legal control over a person or property.
24. Damages – Money awarded as compensation.
25. Decree – A court’s final order in a civil case.
26. Defamation – Making false statements that harm someone’s reputation.
27. Defendant – The person accused in a case.
28. Deposition – A witness’s sworn statement recorded outside court.
29. Detention – Keeping someone in custody.
30. Dismissal – Termination of a case by the court.
31. Doctrine – A legal principle or policy.
32. Due Process – Fair treatment through the legal system.
33. Evidence – Proof presented in court.
34. Ex parte – Court proceedings without one party being present.
35. Execution – Carrying out a court’s order.
36. FIR (First Information Report) – The first report of a crime to the police.
37. Fraud – Wrongful deception for personal gain.
38. Garnishment – Legal order to withhold money from a person’s wages.
39. Guardian – A person legally responsible for another.
40. Harassment – Unwanted behavior causing distress.
41. Hearing – A session in court to present evidence or arguments.
42. Hypothecation – Pledging property as security without giving up possession.
43. Immunity – Protection from legal action.
44. Impeachment – Challenging the credibility of a witness.
45. Injunction – Court order to do or not do something.
46. Insolvency – Inability to pay debts.
47. Interim Order – Temporary order until final decision.
48. Interrogation – Formal questioning by authorities.
49. IPC – Indian Penal Code, criminal laws in India.
50. Issuance – Official giving out of a legal document.
51. Jurisdiction – Authority of a court to hear a case.
52. Justice – Fair treatment under the law.
53. Judgment – Final decision of a court.
54. Lease – Contract to rent property.
55. Libel – Written defamation.
56. Lien – Legal right over another’s property until debt is paid.
57. Litigation – Legal proceedings in court.
58. Maintenance – Financial support ordered by court.
59. Mediation – Dispute resolution through a neutral mediator.
60. Mens Rea – Criminal intent.
61. Minor – A person under the legal age of majority.
62. Mortgage – Loan secured by property.
63. Negligence – Failure to take proper care.
64. Non-bailable Offence – Crime where bail is not a right.
65. Notary Public – Official who certifies documents.
66. Notice – Formal communication of legal information.
67. Objection – Formal protest in court.
68. Offence – An act punishable by law.
69. Oath – Promise to tell the truth.
70. Order – Court’s direction or command.
71. Parole – Early release of a prisoner under conditions.
72. Party – A person or entity involved in a case.
73. Perjury – Lying under oath.
74. Plaintiff – Person who brings a case in civil court.
75. Plea Bargain – Agreement where accused admits guilt for lesser punishment.
76. Possession – Control over property or goods.
77. Precedent – Past case guiding future cases.
78. Probation – Court-ordered supervision instead of prison.
79. Prosecution – The state or authority bringing a criminal case.
80. Quash – To reject or void a legal order.
81. Quasi-Judicial – Actions having some judicial authority.
82. Quorum – Minimum number of members for a meeting to proceed.
83. Ratification – Approval of an act done without prior authority.
84. Real Property – Land and anything attached to it.
85. Remand – Sending an accused back to custody.
86. Remedy – Legal means to enforce a right or redress harm.
87. Res Judicata – Matter already judged cannot be tried again.
88. Sanction – Official permission or penalty.
89. Search Warrant – Court order to search property.
90. Sentence – Punishment given after conviction.
91. Settlement – Agreement to resolve a dispute.
92. Statute – A written law passed by the legislature.
93. Stay Order – Temporary halt on a legal action.
94. Sub Judice – Matter currently under court consideration.
95. Summons – Court order to appear before it.
96. Surety – A person who takes responsibility for another’s obligation.
97. Testimony – Statement given by a witness in court.
98. Tort – A wrongful act causing harm, other than a breach of contract.
99. Trial – Formal examination of evidence in court.
100. Verdict – Final decision by a judge or jury.