Vocabulary Words Every Paralegal 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Guilty

Definition: Feeling responsible for committing a wrongdoing or crime.

• He felt guilty for not telling the truth.
• She looked guilty after breaking the vase.
• The guilty student apologized for his actions.

Guilty in a sentence

Not Guilty

Definition: A legal term indicating that someone did not commit a crime.

• He pleaded not guilty to the charges.
• The jury found her not guilty after the trial.
• She was relieved to hear the verdict of not guilty.

Not Guilty in a sentence

Justice

Definition: The quality of being fair and just; the administration of law.

• Justice is important for a good society.
• She fights for justice for everyone.
• They believe in justice for all people.

Justice in a sentence

Penalty

Definition: A punishment for breaking a rule.

• The penalty for late homework is points off.
• He received a penalty for speeding while driving.
• The game had a penalty shootout to decide the winner.

Penalty in a sentence

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

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

Question

Definition: A sentence or phrase used to ask for information.

• She raised her hand to ask a question.
• The teacher answered my question.
• He had a question about the homework assignment.

Question in a sentence

Answer

Definition: A response to a question or problem.

• Please provide an answer to the math question.
• She raised her hand to give the answer in class.
• Understanding how to answer questions is essential for learning.

Answer 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

Obligation

Definition: A duty or commitment to do something.

• You have an obligation to help your friends.
• He felt an obligation to return the favor.
• It's our obligation to protect the environment.

Obligation 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

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

Prosecution

Definition: The legal party that brings a case against someone in a court.

• The prosecution presented strong evidence.
• The prosecution argued for a tough sentence.
• He worked for the prosecution in criminal cases.

Prosecution 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ruling

Definition: an official decision made by a judge or authority

• The court issued a ruling on the case.
• Her ruling was based on the evidence presented.
• They were waiting for the ruling from the judge.

Ruling 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

Complaint

Definition: An expression of dissatisfaction.

• He made a complaint about the service.
• She filed a complaint with the manager.
• The teacher addressed the student's complaint.

Complaint in a sentence

Motion

Definition: The act of moving or changing position.

• The motion of the car was smooth on the road.
• He studied the motion of planets in science.
• Her hand made a motion to wave goodbye.

Motion in a sentence

Verdict

Definition: A decision made by a jury or judge in a court case.

• The jury reached a verdict after hours of deliberation.
• The verdict was announced in the courtroom.
• He awaited the verdict with anxiety.

Verdict 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

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

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

Representation

Definition: The action of speaking or acting on behalf of someone; a portrayal of something.

• The representation of diverse characters is important in media.
• He was chosen for representation at the conference.
• Her artwork is a representation of her culture.

Representation in a sentence

Due Process

Definition: The legal requirement that the state must respect all legal rights.

• Due process ensures fair treatment under the law.
• He learned about due process in civics class.
• Understanding due process is essential for justice.

Due Process 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

Jurisdictional

Definition: Related to the authority of a court or organization to make legal decisions.

• The jurisdictional rules determine which court hears the case.
• She questioned the jurisdictional limits of the court.
• Understanding jurisdictional matters is crucial in law.

Jurisdictional in a sentence

Adversarial

Definition: Involving opposition or conflict.

• The adversarial nature of the debate made it intense.
• Adversarial relationships can create tension in teams.
• He preferred collaborative rather than adversarial approaches.

Adversarial in a sentence

Equitable

Definition: Fair and just; treating everyone in a way that is fair.

• The teacher strives to create an equitable classroom.
• They discussed equitable solutions for the community.
• Understanding equitable practices can promote fairness.

Equitable 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

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

Summary Judgment

Definition: a legal decision made by a court without a full trial

• The lawyer filed for summary judgment in the case.
• Understanding summary judgment is important in legal studies.
• They sought summary judgment to speed up the process.

Summary Judgment in a sentence

Counterclaim

Definition: A claim made to offset another claim in a legal case.

• The lawyer filed a counterclaim against the plaintiff.
• His counterclaim argued that he was not at fault.
• Understanding counterclaims is important in legal studies.

Counterclaim in a sentence

Class Action

Definition: A legal action filed by a group of people with similar claims.

• The class action lawsuit was filed against the company.
• They joined the class action to seek justice.
• Class actions can help many people at once.

Class Action in a sentence

Probate

Definition: The legal process of verifying a will.

• The probate process can take several months.
• After his death, the family went through probate.
• Probate ensures that the deceased's wishes are followed.

Probate in a sentence

Statutory

Definition: Related to laws or statutes; legally required.

• Statutory regulations must be followed by companies.
• He learned about statutory obligations in class.
• The government set statutory guidelines for safety.

Statutory in a sentence

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

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

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.

Res Judicata

Definition: a legal doctrine preventing the same issue from being tried again

• The case was dismissed under res judicata.
• Understanding res judicata is important in law.
• Res judicata protects against double jeopardy.

Res Judicata in a sentence

Estoppel

Definition: A legal principle that prevents someone from arguing something contrary to a previous claim or behavior.

• The court applied estoppel to ensure fairness in the case.
• Understanding estoppel is important in contract law.
• He invoked estoppel to support his argument.

Estoppel in a sentence

Pro Bono

Definition: Legal work done voluntarily and without payment.

• The lawyer took the case pro bono to help the community.
• Pro bono services are essential for those who cannot afford legal help.
• Many firms encourage lawyers to do pro bono work.

Pro Bono 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

Arbitration Clause

Definition: a section in a contract requiring arbitration for disputes

• The arbitration clause helped avoid lengthy court battles.
• She included an arbitration clause in her contract.
• Understanding the arbitration clause is important before signing.

Arbitration Clause in a sentence

Evidentiary

Definition: Relating to evidence or its use in legal contexts.

• The evidentiary rules guided the trial process.
• She studied evidentiary standards in law school.
• Understanding evidentiary concepts is crucial in court.

Evidentiary in a sentence

Discovery Request

Definition: A formal request for information or documents, often in legal contexts.

• The lawyer submitted a discovery request for evidence.
• She learned about the discovery request in law class.
• Understanding discovery requests is crucial for legal proceedings.

Legalese

Definition: The formal and technical language used in legal documents.

• Legalese can be confusing for many people.
• He translated the legalese into simpler terms.
• The contract was full of legalese that was hard to understand.

Legalese 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

Waiver

Definition: a document that gives up a right or claim

• She signed a waiver before participating in the event.
• The school required a waiver for the field trip.
• He received a waiver for the registration fee.

Waiver in a sentence

Pleadings

Definition: formal written statements in a legal case

• The pleadings outlined the arguments from both sides.
• The lawyer reviewed the pleadings before the trial.
• Understanding pleadings is crucial in legal procedures.

Sanctions

Definition: Official penalties or restrictions imposed on individuals or countries.

• Economic sanctions were placed on the country.
• Sanctions can affect international relations.
• The UN imposed sanctions to encourage compliance.

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

Enforceable

Definition: Able to be enforced or compelled by law; legally valid.

• The contract was enforceable in a court of law.
• She made sure the agreement was enforceable before signing.
• Understanding enforceable terms is important in contracts.

Enforceable in a sentence

Adjudicate

Definition: to make a formal judgment or decision

• The committee will adjudicate the dispute.
• He was chosen to adjudicate the competition.
• They hope to adjudicate the case quickly.

Adjudicate in a sentence

Respondent

Definition: A person who answers questions in a survey or study.

• The respondent provided valuable feedback about the product.
• We need more respondents for our research.
• Each respondent will receive a gift card for participating.

Respondent in a sentence

Acquittal

Definition: A legal judgment that someone is not guilty.

• The acquittal was a relief for his family.
• Her acquittal was announced in court today.
• The acquittal ended a long and stressful trial.

Acquittal in a sentence

Embezzlement

Definition: The act of stealing money or property that one has been entrusted with.

• The accountant was charged with embezzlement after the investigation.
• Embezzlement can lead to serious legal penalties.
• They discussed the case of embezzlement during the meeting.

Embezzlement in a sentence