Vocabulary Words Every Legal Secretary Should Know

Law

Definition: A system of rules created by a government.

• Everyone must follow the law.
• She studied law at university.
• The law protects people's rights.

Law in a sentence

Court

Definition: A place where legal cases are heard.

• The judge works in a court.
• He went to court for the trial.
• The court decides on important matters.

Court in a sentence

Judge

Definition: To form an opinion about something; a person who decides in legal cases.

• It's not fair to judge someone without knowing them.
• The judge made a decision in the case.
• I try not to judge people too quickly.

Judge in a sentence

Case

Definition: A particular situation or example.

• In this case, we need to find a solution.
• The teacher explained the case of the missing book.
• He carried his glasses in a protective case.

Case in a sentence

Lawyer

Definition: A professional who practices law and represents clients in legal matters.

• The lawyer prepared the case for court.
• She wants to become a lawyer to help others.
• Understanding the role of a lawyer is crucial in legal issues.

Lawyer in a sentence

Client

Definition: A person or organization that receives services from a professional.

• The lawyer met with a client to discuss the case.
• She is a client at the local hair salon.
• The company values every client highly.

Client in a sentence

Document

Definition: A written or printed paper that provides information.

• Please sign the document.
• I need to read this document carefully.
• They stored the document in a safe place.

Document in a sentence

File

Definition: A collection of documents or data stored together.

• I need to organize my files on the computer.
• He saved the file in a new folder.
• Please check the file for the latest updates.

File in a sentence

Sign

Definition: A symbol or notice that provides information or directions.

• The sign shows where to find the restrooms.
• Please read the sign before entering.
• They put up a sign for the event.

Sign in a sentence

Witness

Definition: A person who sees an event, often a crime, and can provide information.

• The witness testified at the trial.
• She was a witness to the accident and reported it.
• Witnesses play a crucial role in legal cases.

Witness in a sentence

Oath

Definition: A formal promise to tell the truth or fulfill a commitment.

• He took an oath to serve his country.
• The witness swore an oath before giving testimony.
• She made an oath to uphold the values of her profession.

Oath in a sentence

Trial

Definition: A test of performance, quality, or suitability; a legal process.

• They will conduct a trial for the new product.
• The trial was held in the courtroom.
• She is participating in a trial for a medication.

Trial in a sentence

Evidence

Definition: the information that helps prove something

• The detective found evidence at the scene.
• She presented evidence to support her argument.
• The evidence showed that he was telling the truth.

Evidence in a sentence

Rule

Definition: A statement that tells what is allowed or what will happen.

• The teacher made a rule about talking in class.
• We follow the rules to keep everyone safe.
• It's important to know the rules of the game.

Rule in a sentence

Rights

Definition: Legal or moral entitlements that people have.

• Everyone has rights that should be respected.
• They protested to defend their rights.
• Human rights are important for all individuals.

Rights in a sentence

Sentence

Definition: A set of words that expresses a complete thought.

• Can you write a sentence using this word?
• Every sentence needs a subject and a verb.
• I enjoy reading long sentences in books.

Sentence in a sentence

Crime

Definition: An act that breaks the law.

• The police are investigating a crime in the area.
• Stealing is a serious crime.
• He read a book about crime and its consequences.

Crime in a sentence

Appeal

Definition: to make a request for a decision to be reviewed

• The student decided to appeal the exam results.
• His speech had an emotional appeal that moved many.
• Understanding appeal helps in discussions about rights.

Appeal in a sentence

Hearing

Definition: The ability to perceive sounds; also refers to a formal meeting to listen to evidence.

• Her hearing is very sharp, and she notices sounds easily.
• The judge scheduled a hearing for the case next week.
• He had difficulty hearing in noisy environments.

Hearing in a sentence

Decision

Definition: A choice made after thinking about something.

• She made a decision to study hard this year.
• It's important to think before making a decision.
• He had to make a difficult decision.

Decision in a sentence

Agreement

Definition: A mutual understanding or arrangement between parties.

• They reached an agreement after much discussion.
• The agreement was signed by both sides.
• He made a written agreement with the landlord.

Agreement in a sentence

Legal

Definition: Relating to the law; permitted by law.

• It is legal to drive at age sixteen in our state.
• We should follow all legal rules in our community.
• He studied legal issues in school.

Legal in a sentence

Order

Definition: To request something to be made, delivered, or done.

• I will order a pizza for dinner.
• Please order the books from the library.
• We need to order new supplies for the classroom.

Order in a sentence

Rules

Definition: guidelines for behavior or actions

• The teacher explained the classroom rules.
• He broke the rules during the game.
• Following the rules helps everyone.

Statement

Definition: A clear expression of something in speech or writing.

• The teacher asked for a statement about the project.
• He made a statement about his favorite book.
• She wrote a statement to explain her opinion.

Statement in a sentence

Report

Definition: A spoken or written account of something.

• I need to write a report about my science project.
• The news report covered the recent event.
• He will report the findings to the class.

Report in a sentence

Contract

Definition: A formal agreement between two or more parties.

• They signed a contract for the new job.
• The contract outlines the terms of the agreement.
• It's important to read a contract carefully before signing.

Contract in a sentence

Attorney

Definition: A person who is licensed to practice law and represent clients.

• He hired an attorney to help with his case.
• The attorney explained the legal process to her.
• She wants to become an attorney after finishing law school.

Attorney in a sentence

Lawsuit

Definition: A legal case brought by one person against another in court.

• She filed a lawsuit against the company.
• The lawsuit was settled out of court.
• They discussed the details of the lawsuit in class.

Lawsuit in a sentence

Liability

Definition: the state of being responsible for something, especially in law

• He accepted liability for the accident.
• The company has a liability to its employees.
• Understanding liability is important in business.

Liability in a sentence

Terms

Definition: The specific conditions or rules of an agreement.

• The terms of the contract must be followed.
• She agreed to the terms before signing.
• Understanding terms helps in negotiations.

Terms in a sentence

Negotiation

Definition: A discussion aimed at reaching an agreement.

• The negotiation between the two companies took weeks.
• They entered into negotiation to settle the dispute.
• Successful negotiation requires good communication skills.

Negotiation in a sentence

Settlement

Definition: An official agreement or a community where people live.

• The peace settlement ended the conflict.
• They moved to a new settlement in the countryside.
• The settlement was established many years ago.

Settlement in a sentence

Procedure

Definition: a series of steps to accomplish a task

• Follow the procedure to complete the assignment.
• The procedure for the experiment was explained.
• He learned the procedure for making cookies.

Procedure in a sentence

Affidavit

Definition: a written statement made under oath

• He signed an affidavit to confirm his identity.
• The lawyer submitted an affidavit to the court.
• An affidavit is often used as evidence in legal matters.

Affidavit in a sentence

Deposition

Definition: a formal statement made under oath; the act of removing someone from office

• The lawyer took her deposition on the events of that day.
• His deposition was crucial to the case.
• They scheduled a deposition for next week.

Deposition in a sentence

Subpoena

Definition: A legal document that orders someone to appear in court or produce evidence.

• She received a subpoena to testify as a witness.
• The lawyer issued a subpoena for the missing documents.
• He was nervous about the subpoena he received in the mail.

Subpoena in a sentence

Litigation

Definition: The process of taking legal action; a lawsuit.

• Litigation can be expensive and time-consuming.
• They decided to avoid litigation and settle.
• She studied litigation in law school.

Litigation in a sentence

Plaintiff

Definition: A person who brings a case against another in a court of law.

• The plaintiff argued that the contract was broken.
• In the trial, the plaintiff presented evidence to support her claim.
• The plaintiff is seeking damages for the accident.

Plaintiff in a sentence

Defendant

Definition: A person accused of a crime in a court of law.

• The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges.
• The lawyer defended the defendant during the trial.
• He was nervous as the defendant in the case.

Defendant in a sentence

Testimony

Definition: A formal statement or evidence, often given in court; personal account of an experience.

• Her testimony helped the jury understand the case.
• He gave a testimony about his experience.
• The testimony was important for the trial.

Testimony in a sentence

Jurisdiction

Definition: The official power to make legal decisions and judgments; the area of authority.

• The court has jurisdiction over criminal cases.
• Understanding jurisdiction is important in law.
• They debated the jurisdiction of the local court.

Jurisdiction in a sentence

Negligence

Definition: failure to take proper care; lack of attention

• His negligence led to an accident at work.
• Understanding negligence is essential in law.
• She was sued for negligence after the incident.

Negligence in a sentence

Arbitration

Definition: A process where a neutral third party helps resolve disputes between two sides.

• Arbitration is often used to settle business disagreements.
• They agreed to arbitration to avoid going to court.
• Understanding arbitration can help in conflict resolution.

Arbitration in a sentence

Mediation

Definition: A process where a neutral third party helps resolve a dispute between two sides.

• Mediation can help settle conflicts without going to court.
• She acted as a mediator during the discussion.
• Understanding mediation techniques can help in negotiations.

Mediation in a sentence

Clause

Definition: A group of words with a subject and verb.

• A clause can be independent or dependent.
• The sentence has a main clause and a subordinate clause.
• He identified the clause in the sentence.

Clause in a sentence

Statute

Definition: A written law passed by a legislative body.

• The new statute aims to protect the environment.
• She learned about the statute during her civics class.
• Understanding statutes is important for knowing our rights.

Statute in a sentence

Damages

Definition: Money awarded to a person as compensation for loss or injury.

• The court awarded her damages for the accident.
• He filed a claim for damages to his property.
• Understanding damages is crucial in legal matters.

Damages in a sentence

Compliance

Definition: Following rules or standards.

• The company is in compliance with safety regulations.
• They ensured compliance with the new laws.
• She checked for compliance with the guidelines.

Compliance in a sentence

Confidentiality

Definition: The state of keeping information secret or private.

• The company values the confidentiality of its clients.
• She signed an agreement to ensure confidentiality.
• Maintaining confidentiality is important in counseling.

Confidentiality in a sentence

Precedent

Definition: An action or decision that serves as an example for future situations.

• The court's ruling set a legal precedent.
• They referred to a precedent in their argument.
• Understanding precedent is crucial in law and governance.

Precedent in a sentence

Tort

Definition: A wrongful act leading to legal liability; a civil wrong.

• A tort can result in a lawsuit.
• She filed a tort claim for damages.
• Understanding tort law is important for legal studies.

Tort in a sentence

Summons

Definition: a legal document ordering someone to attend court

• She received a summons for jury duty.
• The lawyer presented the summons to the defendant.
• He was surprised by the summons in the mail.

Summons in a sentence

Discovery

Definition: The act of finding or learning something new.

• The scientist made a great discovery.
• Her discovery changed the way we think about health.
• They celebrated the discovery of a new species.

Discovery in a sentence

Resolution

Definition: A firm decision to do or not do something; also refers to solving a problem.

• She made a resolution to exercise more this year.
• The resolution of the conflict took time.
• He found a resolution to his problem after thinking.

Resolution in a sentence

Indemnity

Definition: Security or protection against a financial loss or damage.

• The policy offered indemnity against theft.
• They sought indemnity for damages caused by the storm.
• Indemnity clauses are common in contracts.

Indemnity in a sentence

Breach

Definition: An act of breaking or failing to observe a law, obligation, or standard.

• The breach of the contract led to a lawsuit.
• They reported a security breach in the system.
• Understanding breach helps in managing risks.

Breach in a sentence

Injunction

Definition: a legal order that requires someone to do or refrain from doing something

• The court issued an injunction against the company.
• An injunction can stop harmful activities.
• She filed for an injunction to protect her rights.

Injunction in a sentence

Due Diligence

Definition: The careful review and consideration of important information.

• Due diligence is necessary before making big decisions.
• He conducted due diligence before investing in the company.
• Performing due diligence helps prevent mistakes.

Tortfeasor

Definition: A person or entity that commits a tort.

• The tortfeasor was held responsible for the damages.
• Understanding the role of a tortfeasor is important in law.
• In court, the tortfeasor must justify their actions.

Tortfeasor in a sentence

Memorandum

Definition: A written message, especially in a business context, used for communication.

• They issued a memorandum to inform employees of changes.
• The memorandum included important deadlines.
• He wrote a memorandum to document the meeting minutes.

Memorandum in a sentence

Litigation Support

Definition: assistance provided during legal disputes

• Litigation support includes gathering evidence and research.
• She works in litigation support to help lawyers.
• Understanding litigation support is important for legal processes.

Paralegal

Definition: A person trained to assist lawyers in legal work but not qualified to practice law.

• The paralegal prepared documents for the trial.
• She works as a paralegal in a law firm.
• Paralegals play an important role in legal processes.

Paralegal in a sentence

Retainer

Definition: A fee paid in advance to secure services, often from a professional.

• She paid a retainer to the lawyer for ongoing legal advice.
• The consultant requires a retainer for their services.
• With a retainer, you ensure access to expert help when needed.

Retainer in a sentence

Arbitration Agreement

Definition: a contract outlining the terms for arbitration

• They signed an arbitration agreement to resolve disputes.
• The arbitration agreement specified the rules for the process.
• Understanding the arbitration agreement is essential for both parties.

Arbitration Agreement in a sentence

Adjudication

Definition: the process of making a formal judgment

• The adjudication of the case took several months.
• We learned about adjudication in law class.
• Adjudication helps resolve disputes fairly.

Adjudication in a sentence

Jurisprudence

Definition: The theory or philosophy of law and legal systems.

• Jurisprudence examines the principles behind laws.
• He studied jurisprudence to understand legal reasoning.
• Understanding jurisprudence is essential for aspiring lawyers.

Jurisprudence in a sentence

Conveyance

Definition: the act of transporting something or a means of transportation

• The conveyance of goods is essential for trade.
• He used a conveyance system to move materials.
• The bus was a popular conveyance for students.

Conveyance in a sentence

Testamentary

Definition: Relating to a person's will or the process of administering it after their death.

• The testamentary document detailed the executor's duties.
• She studied testamentary laws in her legal class.
• Understanding testamentary processes is crucial in estate planning.

Testamentary in a sentence

Ex Parte

Definition: A legal term meaning one-sided or involving only one party.

• The judge made an ex parte decision without hearing from both sides.
• In ex parte hearings, only one party presents their case.
• Understanding ex parte rules is important in legal matters.

Fiduciary

Definition: A person entrusted with the responsibility to manage someone else's money or assets.

• A fiduciary must act in the best interest of their clients.
• He serves as a fiduciary for the family trust.
• Understanding fiduciary duties is essential in finance.

Fiduciary in a sentence

Malpractice

Definition: improper or negligent treatment by a professional

• The doctor was sued for malpractice after the incident.
• She studied malpractice cases in medical school.
• Malpractice can lead to serious consequences.

Malpractice in a sentence

Recusal

Definition: The act of withdrawing from a decision or action due to a conflict of interest.

• The judge announced his recusal from the case.
• Recusal is necessary to ensure fairness in legal matters.
• He faced recusal because of his prior involvement.

Recusal in a sentence

Tortious

Definition: Relating to or involving a tort; wrongful act leading to civil legal liability.

• His actions were considered tortious and led to a lawsuit.
• Understanding tortious behavior helps in legal cases.
• A tortious act can result in compensation for damages.

Tortious in a sentence

Enforceability

Definition: the ability to be enforced or upheld

• The contract's enforceability depends on its terms.
• They discussed the enforceability of the new policy.
• Understanding enforceability is crucial in legal matters.

Enforceability in a sentence