Are you confused by legal jargon? Navigating the legal world can feel overwhelming, especially when you are faced with unfamiliar terms. This article explains the top ten legal terms designed to bamboozle, bewitch, and bewilder.
Legal language is jargon to most and there are several reasons for that. Many legal terms descend from Latin, with Ancient Greek and Roman influences on the titles. Generations later, we are left with legal terms which it takes a law degree to work out – quite literally!
So it comes to be that when you seek legal advice, you might be left baffled by the terminology. Never fear! Top law firm Summerfield Browne are on the case and ready to help you decipher the lingo before you see your lawyer.
You can thank us by viewing our digital brochure when you get the chance. In the meantime, here is all you need to know to speak the lingo before your appointment.
Before you rush off to book an appointment with a lawyer near you, consider the following legal terms. Learning them might even help you out of a tight spot or two. Learning these terms will help you feel more confident and comfortable in dealing with your solicitor.
Litigation is the long word lawyers use to describe any kind of legal proceedings between more than one party. Examples of litigation include claiming compensation after an injury, filing a lawsuit against a large company, or even responding to a lawsuit. Litigation is a fancy way of saying that you are experiencing legal action.
An affidavit is another legal term which you might encounter upon meeting a lawyer. These are often used in cases where it is one version of events against another. The term affidavit refers to a legally binding document within which you swear you have told the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
A contract refers to a pre-existing arrangement between parties, usually in writing. When you start a new job you will likely sign a contract. A contract outlines exactly what is expected from each person in writing, so that each party can refer to the document in future if queries arise.
When we prepare and process legal documentation surrounding the sale of a house or transferring one property into another person’s name, we call this conveyancing. Conveyancing often refers to transferring property which involves the land registry.
When two or more parties cannot agree to disagree, mediators may be brought in. When a situation enters mediation it means that a third (neutral) party has had to enter proceedings to keep the peace and move the argument forward. Mediators are often used in commercial disputes, in diplomacy, and when two parties absolutely cannot agree on negotiations.
You can read more about mediation in civil matters here thanks to the UK government.
Granting the power of attorney to someone else means that they can represent you in a legal sense. This process requires formal documentation and can conver property, medical decisions, or finances.
We most often use Power of Attorney here in the UK when a person is no longer able to confidently or accurately speak up for their own best interests. A good example of this is when an elderly person develops dementia. They are no longer legally ‘fit’ to make their own medical or financial decisions responsibly and thus more able bodied relatives can take power of attorney to do it for them.
If that family member who suffered from Dementia then later dies leaving property for the family to argue over, then this legal process is described as ‘probate’. This is where you decide what happens to a person’s assets after they die. This includes money, expensive items, and paying off their debts.
Tort is a form of law and you will most often hear it in relation to personal injury compensation claims, or to any case where a third party’s wrongdoing or negligence causes injury to you. Tort law is a ‘branch’ of law which deals with compensating the victims of negligence, malpractice, or harmful acts such as assaults.
Liable refers to the person who is responsible in any given legal situation. If you are injured at work then your employer is liable to pay damages. If you are in a car crash, the person at fault is liable for the costs. Being liable means that you have a legal responsibility towards someone or something which the law expects you to fulfil.
Full disclosure is the process of telling the full story to your lawyer, without leaving out any parts that are unsettling. Full disclosure is necessary in legal cases because if you don’t tell your lawyer the full story and the details later emerge in court, everyone – yourself included – is going to look stupid.
An example of full disclosure gone wrong could be during an assault case. Perhaps you were assaulted for swearing at someone in the street, but you do not tell your lawyer that you swore at the person before they hit you Not fully disclosing the facts will leave your legal team at a disadvantage in court which might impact your case.
Don’t lie to your lawyer. They are on your side.
The conclusion can only be that you know more legal terms than you thought you did before you started reading this article. Now that you are prepared, you can schedule an appointment with a lawyer here at Summerfield Browne to discuss your legal issues.
Contact us online or call 0800 567 7595 today for expert legal advice. We promise to discuss your case without all that complicated legal jargon.
