LEGAL DICTIONARY

366 legal words, maxims and doctrines

Plain language meanings with an example sentence for each, written for law students.

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A 27 words

Ab initio Latin phrase, General
Abetment Legal term, Criminal law
Absolute liability Legal term, Torts
Acquittal Legal term, Criminal law
Actus curiae neminem gravabit Latin maxim, Civil procedure
Actus non facit reum nisi mens sit rea Latin maxim, Criminal law
Actus reus Latin phrase, Criminal law
Ad valorem Latin phrase, Tax law
Adjournment Legal term, Civil procedure
Admission Legal term, Evidence
Adoption Legal term, Family law
Adverse possession Legal term, Property law
Affidavit Legal term, Evidence and procedure
Agreement to sell Legal term, Property law
Algorithmic bias Legal term, AI law
Alibi Latin word, Criminal law
Amicus curiae Latin phrase, Legal profession
Animus possidendi Latin phrase, Property law
Animus revocandi Latin phrase, Succession
Anticipatory bail Legal term, Criminal procedure
Appeal Legal term, Procedure
Approver Legal term, Criminal procedure
Arbitration Legal term, Dispute resolution
Articles of Association Legal term, Corporate law
Assessment Legal term, Tax law
Asylum Legal term, International law
Audi alteram partem Latin maxim, Administrative law

B 10 words

Bailable offence Legal term, Criminal procedure
Bailment Legal term, Contract law
Bare Act Legal term, Legal research
Basic structure Doctrine, Constitutional law
Beyond reasonable doubt Legal term, Criminal law
Binding precedent Legal term, Jurisprudence
Blockchain Legal term, Technology law
Bona fide Latin phrase, General
Bona vacantia Latin phrase, Property law
Burden of proof Legal term, Evidence

C 46 words

Case management hearing Legal term, Commercial litigation
Casus omissus Latin phrase, Interpretation
Cause list Legal term, Court practice
Cause of action Legal term, Civil procedure
Caveat Legal term, Civil procedure
Caveat emptor Latin maxim, Contract law
Caveat venditor Latin maxim, Consumer law
Certiorari Writ, Constitutional law
Cestui que trust Law French term, Trusts
Chain of custody Legal term, Evidence
Charge Legal term, Criminal procedure
Chargesheet Legal term, Criminal procedure
Cognizable offence Legal term, Criminal procedure
Collective bargaining Legal term, Labour law
Collegium Legal term, Judiciary
Colourable legislation Doctrine, Constitutional law
Commencement Legal term, Legislation
Commission Legal term, Civil procedure
Common intention Legal term, Criminal law
Community service Legal term, Criminal law
Commutation Legal term, Criminal justice
Compounding Legal term, Criminal law
Condonation of delay Legal term, Procedure
Confession Legal term, Evidence
Confidentiality clause Legal term, Drafting
Consensus ad idem Latin phrase, Contract law
Consent manager Legal term, Data protection
Consideration Legal term, Contract law
Constitution bench Legal term, Judiciary
Consumer Legal term, Consumer law
Contemporanea expositio Latin phrase, Interpretation
Contempt of court Legal term, Judiciary
Contra proferentem Latin phrase, Contract law
Contributory negligence Legal term, Torts
Coparcener Legal term, Family law
Copyright Legal term, Intellectual property
Corporate veil Doctrine, Corporate law
Corpus delicti Latin phrase, Criminal law
Corroboration Legal term, Evidence
Counterclaim Legal term, Civil procedure
Criminal conspiracy Legal term, Criminal law
Cross examination Legal term, Evidence
Culpable homicide Legal term, Criminal law
Curative petition Legal term, Judiciary
Custody Legal term, Family law
Cy pres Law French term, Trusts

D 27 words

Damnum sine injuria Latin maxim, Torts
Data Fiduciary Legal term, Data protection
Data Principal Legal term, Data protection
De facto Latin phrase, General
De jure Latin phrase, General
Declaratory decree Legal term, Civil procedure
Decree Legal term, Civil procedure
Decree holder Legal term, Civil procedure
Deepfake Legal term, Technology law
Defamation Legal term, Criminal law and torts
Default bail Legal term, Criminal procedure
Deficiency in service Legal term, Consumer law
Delegated legislation Legal term, Administrative law
Delegatus non potest delegare Latin maxim, Administrative law
Dies non Latin phrase, Procedure
Digital signature Legal term, Cyber law
Diplomatic immunity Legal term, International law
Directive Principles of State Policy Legal term, Constitutional law
Discharge Legal term, Criminal procedure
Distinguishing Legal term, Jurisprudence
Doctrine of eclipse Doctrine, Constitutional law
Doctrine of severability Doctrine, Constitutional law
Doli incapax Latin phrase, Criminal law
Dualism Doctrine, International law
Due diligence Legal term, Corporate law
Durante vita Latin phrase, Property law
Dying declaration Legal term, Evidence

E 20 words

E filing Legal term, Court technology
Easement Legal term, Property law
eCourts Legal term, Court technology
Ejusdem generis Latin phrase, Interpretation
Electronic record Legal term, Evidence
Encumbrance Legal term, Property law
Environmental impact assessment Legal term, Environmental law
Estoppel Legal term, Evidence
Evergreening Legal term, Intellectual property
Ex gratia Latin phrase, General
Ex officio Latin phrase, Administrative law
Ex parte Latin phrase, Civil procedure
Ex parte decree Legal term, Civil procedure
Ex post facto Latin phrase, Constitutional law
Ex turpi causa non oritur actio Latin maxim, Contract law
Examination in chief Legal term, Evidence
Execution Legal term, Civil procedure
Explanation Legal term, Legislation
Expressio unius est exclusio alterius Latin maxim, Interpretation
Extradition Legal term, International law

F 11 words

Fair dealing Legal term, Intellectual property
Fait accompli French phrase, General
Federalism Legal term, Constitutional law
Fiduciary duty Legal term, Corporate law
First Information Report Legal term, Criminal procedure
Force majeure French term, Contract law
Free consent Legal term, Contract law
Frustration Legal term, Contract law
Functus officio Latin phrase, Procedure
Fundamental duties Legal term, Constitutional law
Furlough Legal term, Criminal justice

G 10 words

Gag order Legal term, Procedure
Gazette notification Legal term, Legal research
Generalia specialibus non derogant Latin maxim, Interpretation
Geographical indication Legal term, Intellectual property
Gift Legal term, Property law
Governing law clause Legal term, Drafting
Grave and sudden provocation Legal term, Criminal law
GST Legal term, Tax law
Guarantee Legal term, Contract law
Guardianship Legal term, Family law

H 8 words

Habeas corpus Writ, Constitutional law
Hallucination Legal term, AI and law
Harmonious construction Doctrine, Interpretation
Hash value Legal term, Digital evidence
Headnote Legal term, Legal research
Hearsay Legal term, Evidence
Hindu Undivided Family Legal term, Family and tax law
Hostile witness Legal term, Evidence

I 22 words

Identity theft Legal term, Cyber law
Ignorantia facti excusat Latin maxim, Criminal law
Ignorantia juris non excusat Latin maxim, Criminal law
In camera Latin phrase, Procedure
In pari delicto potior est conditio defendentis Latin maxim, Contract law
Indemnity Legal term, Contract law
Indemnity clause Legal term, Drafting
Industrial dispute Legal term, Labour law
Injuria sine damno Latin maxim, Torts
Input tax credit Legal term, Tax law
Insider trading Legal term, Securities law
Insolvency Legal term, Insolvency law
Inter alia Latin phrase, Drafting
Inter generational equity Doctrine, Environmental law
Interest reipublicae ut sit finis litium Latin maxim, Civil procedure
Interim injunction Legal term, Civil procedure
Interlocutory order Legal term, Procedure
Intermediary Legal term, Cyber law
Intestate Legal term, Succession
Intra vires Latin phrase, Administrative law
Ipso facto Latin phrase, General
Issues Legal term, Civil procedure

J 9 words

Judgment debtor Legal term, Civil procedure
Judicial activism Legal term, Judiciary
Judicial restraint Legal term, Judiciary
Judicial review Doctrine, Constitutional law
Judicial separation Legal term, Family law
Jus cogens Latin phrase, International law
Jus in personam Latin phrase, Contract law
Jus in rem Latin phrase, Property law
Juvenile in conflict with law Legal term, Juvenile justice

L 18 words

Leading question Legal term, Evidence
Lease Legal term, Property law
Legal aid Legal term, Access to justice
Legal notice Legal term, Litigation
Legal tech Legal term, Technology
Leges posteriores priores contrarias abrogant Latin maxim, Interpretation
Legitimate expectation Doctrine, Administrative law
Lex fori Latin phrase, Private international law
Lex loci Latin phrase, Private international law
Lex non cogit ad impossibilia Latin maxim, Interpretation
Licence Legal term, Property law
Limitation Legal term, Civil procedure
Liquidated damages Legal term, Contract law
Lis pendens Latin phrase, Property law
Locus classicus Latin phrase, Legal research
Locus poenitentiae Latin phrase, Criminal law
Locus standi Latin phrase, Constitutional law
Lok Adalat Legal term, Dispute resolution

M 14 words

Maintenance Legal term, Family law
Mala fide Latin phrase, Administrative law
Malicious prosecution Legal term, Torts
Mandamus Writ, Constitutional law
Manifest arbitrariness Doctrine, Constitutional law
Mediation Legal term, Dispute resolution
Memorandum of Association Legal term, Corporate law
Mens rea Latin phrase, Criminal law
Money bill Legal term, Constitutional law
Moratorium Legal term, Insolvency law
Mortgage Legal term, Property law
Mutation Legal term, Property law
Mutatis mutandis Latin phrase, Drafting
Mutual consent divorce Legal term, Family law

N 17 words

National Judicial Data Grid Legal term, Court technology
Natural justice Doctrine, Administrative law
Negligence Legal term, Torts
Nemo dat quod non habet Latin maxim, Property and sale of goods
Nemo debet bis vexari pro una et eadem causa Latin maxim, Civil procedure
Nemo judex in causa sua Latin maxim, Administrative law
Neutral citation Legal term, Legal citation
Nolle prosequi Latin phrase, Criminal procedure
Non cognizable offence Legal term, Criminal procedure
Non disclosure agreement Legal term, Commercial law
Non obstante clause Legal term, Legislation
Non refoulement Doctrine, International law
Noscitur a sociis Latin maxim, Interpretation
Notwithstanding Legal term, Drafting
Novation Legal term, Contract law
Novus actus interveniens Latin phrase, Torts
Nuisance Legal term, Torts

O 4 words

Obiter dictum Latin phrase, Jurisprudence
Order sheet Legal term, Court practice
Ordinance Legal term, Constitutional law
Overruling Legal term, Jurisprudence

P 37 words

Pacta sunt servanda Latin maxim, International law
Pari passu Latin phrase, Banking and corporate law
Parole Legal term, Criminal justice
Partition Legal term, Property law
Passing off Legal term, Intellectual property
Patent Legal term, Intellectual property
Pendente lite Latin phrase, Family and civil law
Per incuriam Latin phrase, Jurisprudence
Personal data Legal term, Data protection
Persuasive precedent Legal term, Jurisprudence
Phishing Legal term, Cyber law
Pinpoint citation Legal term, Legal citation
Pith and substance Doctrine, Constitutional law
Plaint Legal term, Civil procedure
Plea bargaining Legal term, Criminal procedure
Pleadings Legal term, Civil procedure
POCSO Legal term, Child protection
Polluter pays Doctrine, Environmental law
Precautionary principle Doctrine, Environmental law
Preponderance of probabilities Legal term, Civil law
Presumption Legal term, Evidence
Prima facie Latin phrase, Evidence
Primary evidence Legal term, Evidence
Private defence Legal term, Criminal law
Privity of contract Legal term, Contract law
Pro bono Latin phrase, Legal profession
Probate Legal term, Succession
Procedure established by law Legal term, Constitutional law
Product liability Legal term, Consumer law
Prohibition Writ, Constitutional law
Promissory estoppel Doctrine, Administrative law
Proportionality Doctrine, Constitutional law
Prospective overruling Doctrine, Jurisprudence
Prospectus Legal term, Securities law
Proviso Legal term, Legislation
Public interest litigation Legal term, Constitutional law
Public trust doctrine Doctrine, Environmental law

Q 4 words

Quantum meruit Latin phrase, Contract law
Qui facit per alium facit per se Latin maxim, Torts
Quid pro quo Latin phrase, Contract law
Quo warranto Writ, Constitutional law

R 25 words

Rarest of rare Doctrine, Criminal law
Ratification Legal term, International law
Ratio decidendi Latin phrase, Jurisprudence
Re examination Legal term, Evidence
Reasonable classification Doctrine, Constitutional law
Rebus sic stantibus Latin maxim, International law
Recital Legal term, Drafting
Reddendo singula singulis Latin maxim, Interpretation
Refugee Legal term, International law
Remand Legal term, Criminal procedure
Remission Legal term, Criminal justice
Remoteness of damage Legal term, Torts and contract
Repeal Legal term, Legislation
Res gestae Latin phrase, Evidence
Res ipsa loquitur Latin maxim, Torts
Res judicata Latin maxim, Civil procedure
Resolution plan Legal term, Insolvency law
Respondeat superior Latin maxim, Torts
Restitution of conjugal rights Legal term, Family law
Retrenchment Legal term, Labour law
Retrospective tax Legal term, Tax law
Review Legal term, Civil procedure
Revision Legal term, Procedure
Right to be forgotten Legal term, Privacy law
Rule of law Doctrine, Constitutional law

S 27 words

Safe harbour Legal term, Cyber law
Sale deed Legal term, Property law
Savings clause Legal term, Legislation
Secondary evidence Legal term, Evidence
Section 80 notice Legal term, Civil procedure
Separate legal entity Doctrine, Corporate law
Separation of powers Doctrine, Constitutional law
Set off Legal term, Civil procedure
Sexual harassment at the workplace Legal term, Labour law
Sine die Latin phrase, Procedure
Smart contract Legal term, Technology law
Sovereignty Legal term, International law
Special leave petition Legal term, Judiciary
Specific performance Legal term, Contract law
Stare decisis Latin maxim, Jurisprudence
Statement of truth Legal term, Commercial litigation
Status quo Latin phrase, Civil procedure
Status quo ante Latin phrase, Civil procedure
Strict liability Legal term, Torts
Sub judice Latin phrase, Civil procedure
Succession certificate Legal term, Succession
Sui generis Latin phrase, General
Summary judgment Legal term, Commercial litigation
Summons Legal term, Procedure
Sunset clause Legal term, Legislation
Suo motu Latin phrase, Constitutional law
Sustainable development Doctrine, Environmental law

T 7 words

Tax evasion Legal term, Tax law
Termination clause Legal term, Drafting
Test identification parade Legal term, Criminal procedure
Title Legal term, Property law
Trademark Legal term, Intellectual property
Treaty Legal term, International law
Trespass Legal term, Torts

U 6 words

Ubi jus ibi remedium Latin maxim, Torts
Ultra petita Latin phrase, Civil procedure
Ultra vires Latin phrase, Corporate and administrative law
Undertrial Legal term, Criminal justice
Unfair trade practice Legal term, Consumer law
Ut res magis valeat quam pereat Latin maxim, Interpretation

V 10 words

Vakalatnama Legal term, Legal profession
Vicarious liability Legal term, Torts
Victim compensation Legal term, Criminal justice
Vigilantibus non dormientibus jura subveniunt Latin maxim, Limitation
Virtual digital asset Legal term, Tax and technology law
Virtual hearing Legal term, Court technology
Vis major Latin phrase, Contract law
Void agreement Legal term, Contract law
Voidable contract Legal term, Contract law
Volenti non fit injuria Latin maxim, Torts

W 6 words

Wednesbury unreasonableness Doctrine, Administrative law
Will Legal term, Succession
Winding up Legal term, Corporate law
Witness protection Legal term, Criminal justice
Writ jurisdiction Legal term, Constitutional law
Written statement Legal term, Civil procedure

Z 1 words

Zero FIR Legal term, Criminal procedure