LEGAL TERMS

LEGAL TERMS
BY
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A
1. Ab – initio:
a. Meaning: from the beginning
b. Sentence: The court ordered to investigate the case ab
initio.
2. Accessory:
a. Meaning: One who does an offence not principally
buy put participates in it
b. Sentence: He is an accessory to the murderer
3. Acquit:
a. Meaning: Set free on finding not guilty
b. Sentence: They tried to bribe the judge to acquit them.
4. Actus Reus:
a. Meaning: Wrongful Act
b. Sentence: An omission to act may constitute actus
Reus.
5. Ad idem:
a. Meaning: in agreement
b. Sentence: The members were not ad idem
6. Ad Interim:
a. Meaning: In the mean time
b. Sentence: The petitioner filed for obtaining ad interim
orders.
7. Ad litem:
a. Meaning: For the suit
b. Sentence: A guardian ad litem is normally appointed
in cases when minors are involved.
8. Ad hoc:
a. Meaning: For the purpose

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b. Sentence: They are Ad hoc judges. I.e., They were

appointed for a specific purpose
9. Adjective law:
a. Meaning: procedural law
b. Sentence: An adjective law refers to legal practices
and procedures.
10. Adjourn:
a. Meaning: postponed
b. Sentence: The case is adjourned to next hearing date.
11. Ad judicate:
a. Meaning: Try hear and decide by a competent court
b. Sentence: The court can adjudicate on this dispute.
12. Affidavit:
a. Meaning: A statement made under oath that is
verified by a person of authority
b. Sentence: The affidavit is certified by a notary public
and confirms personally signed the document.
13. Ambiguity:
a. Meaning: a word or sentence that is not clear about
the intention or meaning
b. Sentence: Their actions showed moral ambiguity.
14. Appellant:
a. Meaning: Party who files the appeal
b. Sentence: The appellant seeks reversal or
modification of the decision.
15. Attachment:
a. Meaning: Seizing of property under authority of law
b. Sentence: An attachment may also be issued after a
judgment
16. Arrest:

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a. Meaning: seize (someone) by legal authority and take

them into custody
b. Sentence: The police arrested him on drug charges
17. Alibi:
a. Meaning: a claim or piece of evidence that one was
elsewhere when an act, typically a criminal one, is
alleged to have taken place.
b. Sentence: she has an alibi for the whole of yesterday
evening
18. Aliter:
a. Meaning: Otherwise
b. (Sentence: It was for the police to assess the validity
aliter of the evidence)
19. Animus testandi :
a. Meaning: intention of making a will
b. Sentence: if there was no animus testandi, there can
be no will.
20. Auter droit:
a. Meaning: The right of another
b. Sentence: A man may sue or be sued in auter droit.
21. Ab inteffato:
a. Meaning: Succession to the property of a person who
has not made a will
b. Sentence: The daughter of the deceased filed a suit ab
inteffato for her share.
22. Abatement:
a. Meaning: Reduction or termination or removal of
nuisance
b. Sentence: It was resolved to serve an abatement
notice.

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23. Accomplice:
a. Meaning: A person who helps another commit a
crime
b. Sentence: The Accused took the help of accomplice in
a murder
24. Accessory before the fact:
a. Meaning: A person who incites or assists someone to
commit an arrestable offence.
b. Sentence: An accessory before the fact, like an
accomplice, may be held criminally liable to the same
extent as principal.
25. Accessory after the fact:
a. Meaning: a person who knowingly aids someone who
has committed an arrestable offence
26. Accessory during the fact:
a. Meaning: A person who aids, abets, or encourages
another to commit a crime but who is not present at
the scene.
b. Sentence: An accessory during the fact may also be
considered as Accessory before the fact.
27. Abandon:
a. Meaning: intentionally and permanently give up,
surrender, leave, desert or relinquish all interest or
ownership in property
b. Sentence: The suit was settled and disposed as the
defendant abandoned his share in the suit property.
28. Actio non datur non damnificato:
a. Meaning: An action is not given to him who is not
injured

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b. Explanation: Action is not given to one who is not

injured. You aren't given the right to take legal action
if you haven't been injured
29. Act of god:
a. Meaning: a natural catastrophe which no one can
prevent
b. Sentence: The Plaintiff claimed insurance for the Act
of God for his injuries in an earthquake.
30. Action:
a. Meaning: a lawsuit in which one party (or parties)
sues another
b. Sentence: The Plaintiff took legal action against the
Defendant in the court for breaking the contract.
31. Ad certum diem:
a. Meaning: A specific day
b. Sentence: The Court adjourned the case to ad certum
diem I.e., on civil working day.
32. Ad infinitum:
a. Meaning: Without limit
b. Sentence: The registration is done for ten years and it
may be renewed ad infinitum.
33. Ad certum diem:
a. Meaning: A specific day
b. Sentence: The Court adjourned the case to ad certum
diem I.e., on civil working day.
34. Ad infinitum:
a. Meaning: Without limit
b. Sentence: The registration is done for ten years and it
may be renewed ad infinitum.
35. Autrefois acquit:

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a. Meaning: Already acquitted in a formal trail for the

same offense. It is a bar for subsequent prosecution.
b. Explanation: Autrefois acquit is a plea made by a
defendant who is charged of a crime or misdemeanor.
A defendant can plead that he was tried earlier for the
same crime under same facts of the case.
36. Alien Sdo:
a. Meaning: In the land of another, on other's land.
37. Aleatory:
a. Meaning: uncertain; usually applied to insurance
contracts in which payment is dependent on the
occurrence of a contingent event, such as injury to the
insured person in an accident or fire damage to his
insured building
38. Animus deserendi:
a. Meaning: intention to deserting a spouse; intention of
a body of the association to decide on a matter.
39. Animus homini est anima scripti:
a. Meaning: The intention of a man is the spirit of his
writing.; The intention of the party is the soul of the
Instrument.
40. Argumentum or simili valet in rege:
a. Meaning: an argument from a like case is good in
law.
41. Audi alteram partern:
a. Meaning: hear the other side; both sides should be
heard before a decision is aimed at.; let the other side
be heard as well.
42. Acctre fais acquit:
a. Meaning: Formerly acquitted by this plea, a person
charged with an offense pleads that he had been tried
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before and acquitted of the same offence by the

competent court
43. Auture fois convict:
a. Meaning: Formerly convicted by this plea, a person
charged with an offense pleads that he had been tried
before and convicted of the same offense by the
competent court.
44. Ad Seriatim: ~
a. Meaning: one after another
45. Attestation:
a. Meaning: the action of being a witness to or formally
certifying a document.

46. Bail:
a. Meaning: Release of an arrested person on security
for appearance whenever required.
b. Sentence: The Accused was released on Bail.
47. Bailable Offence:
a. Meaning: an offence which is shown as bailable in
first schedule of Cr. P. C
b. Sentence: He was released as the offence is a bailable
one.
48. Bonafide:
a. Meaning: In good faith
b. Sentence: The Plaintiff filed the bonafide documents
before the court.
49. Bailment:

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a. Meaning: A bailment is the delivery of goods by one

person to another, upon a contrac.t
b. Sentence: a contract of hire is a species of bailment
50. Benamidar:
a. Meaning: One whose name appears in a transaction,
but who is not the real person.
b. Sentence: A is the benamidar of B's property
51. Bona-vacantia:
a. Meaning: Goods in which no one has any claim
except the state.
b. Sentence: A claim is possible for up to 30 years if it is
registered on the bona vacantia list.
52. By-laws:
a. Meaning: a rule/regulation made by a local authority
or corporation.
b. Sentence: We should amend by-laws of the society
53. Bail anticipatory:
a. Meaning: Direction for urgent of bail to persons
apprehending arrest
b. Sentence: The Prisoner was released on anticipatory
bail / bail anticipatory according to the orders of
Sessions court and High Court
54. Bar:
a. Meaning: collectively all attorneys, as "the bar,"
which comes from the bar or railing which separates
the general spectator area of the courtroom from the
area reserved for judges, attorneys, parties and court
officials
55. Barrister:
a. Meaning: in the United States a fancy name for a
lawyer or attorney; who try cases
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56. Bar:
a. Meaning: collectively all attorneys, as "the bar,"
which comes from the bar or railing which separates
the general spectator area of the courtroom from the
area reserved for judges, attorneys, parties and court
officials
57. Barrister:
a. Meaning: in the United States a fancy name for a
lawyer or attorney; who try cases.
58. Battery:
a. Meaning: the crime or tort of intentionally or
recklessly causing offensive physical contact or bodily
harm.
b. Example: Striking, administering a poison or drug.
59. Bench:
a. Meaning: general term for all judges, /the seat for
judge or panel of judges in court hall.
b. Sentence: The Accused was brought before the bench
for hearing the case.
60. Bom Juicis est Judicium sine dilatione mandare
executions:
a. Meaning: It is the duty of good judge to order
judgement
61. Barratry:
a. Meaning: creating legal business by stirring up
disputes and quarrels, generally for the benefit of the
lawyer who sees fees in the matter
62. Bequeath:
a. Meaning: to give personal property under provisions
of a will; the act of giving any asset by the terms of a
will
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63. Bequest:
a. Meaning: the gift of personal property under the
terms of a will.
b. Explanation: Bequests are not always outright, but
may be "conditional" upon the happening or non-
happening of an event (such as marriage), or
"executory" in which the gift is contingent upon a
future event.
64. Bondsman:
a. Meaning: someone who sells bail bonds.; a surety
(guarantor or insurance company, who/which provides
bonds for performance.
65. Burglary:
66. Meaning: the crime of breaking and entering into a
structure for the purpose of committing a crime.
67. Bottomry:
a. Meaning: a mortgage contract in which a ship and/or
its freight is pledged as security for a loan for
equipment, repair, or use of a vessel. The contract is
generally called a "bottomry bond." If the loan is not
paid back, the lender can sell the ship and/or its
freight.
68. Boycott:
a. Meaning: organized refusal to purchase products or
patronize a store to damage the producer or merchant
monetarily, to influence its policy, and/or to attract
attention to a social cause.

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C
69. Causa - causans:
a. Meaning: The immediate cause opposed to some
remote cause
b. Sentence: The operation of the provision of the
Criminal Code is the causa causans of the
imprisonment of the plaintiff.
70. Causa sine qua non:
a. Meaning: A cause without which the effect would not
have been caused
b. Sentence: What made you want to look up causa sine
qua non?
71. Cepi corpus:
a. Meaning: I have taken the body and have it ready
b. Sentence: Cepi corpus properly is the return where the
defendant is out on bail.
72. Cestui-que trust:
a. Meaning: A beneficiary under a trust, the person for
whose benefit a trust is created
73. Calumny:
a. Meaning: the intentional and generally vicious false
accusation of a crime or other offense designed to
damage one's reputation.
74. Cease and desist order:
a. Meaning: an order of a court or government agency to
a person, business or organization to stop doing
something upon a strong showing that the activity is
harmful and/or contrary to law. The order may be
permanent or hold until a final judicial determination
of legality occurs.
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75. Commuris error facit Jus:

a. Meaning: Communal or universal error makes law.
76. Cestui que use:
a. Meaning: an old-fashioned term for a person who
benefits from assets held in a trust for the beneficiary's
use. The term "beneficiary" is now used instead
77. Codicil:
a. Meaning: a written amendment to a person's will,
which must be dated, signed and witnessed just as a
will would be, and must make some reference to the
will it amends. A codicil can add to, subtract from or
modify the terms of the original will
b. [Sentence: The deceased had added a codicil to the
will just before he died.]
78. Contra:
a. Meaning: against on the other hand
b. Sentence: Its value, contra to a lot that is written, is
very unstable.
79. Corpus delicity:~
a. Meaning: The body of facts which constitute an
offence or gift/substance of the offence
b. Sentence: The period of limitation shall not run
during any time when the corpus delicti remains
undiscovered.
80. Corpus possessionis:
a. Meaning: The thing possessed
b. Sentence: Corpus possessionis is the fact of having or
holding property in one's power.
81. Caurodia Legis:
a. Meaning: Custody of the law
b. Sentence: The child was taken under caurodia legis.
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82. Capital Crime:

a. Meaning: An offence punishable with death sentence
b. Sentence: Murder is one of the capital crimes.
83. Capital Punishment:
a. Meaning: Punishment for death
b. Sentence: Being guilty of certain crimes carried the
capital sentence
84. Case diary:
a. Meaning: The diary to be maintained by the police
officer conducting the investigation. It shall contain
daily proceedings of investigation
b. Sentence: The Case diary was a complete record of
the police investigation
85. Cause of action:
a. Meaning: All the facts and circumstances available to
a party to institute a suit and to obtain favorable decree
b. Sentence: A cause of action is a label for a type of facts
which will justify a court award a legal remedy
86. Caveat:
a. Meaning: Beware of/ Let him beware
b. Sentence: there are a number of caveats which
concern the validity of the assessment results
87. Certiorari:
a. Meaning: A writ or order by which a higher court
reviews a case tried in lower court
b. Sentence: An order of certiorari.
88. Charge:
a. Meaning: Statement of particulars of offences alleged
against the accused.
b. Sentence: Charge is formed by the court. / They were
charged by the assault
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89. Civil Case:

a. Meaning: Legal proceedings before a civil court for
enforcement of one's rights.
b. Sentence: Civil case is a lawsuit that usually deals
with contracts and/or torts.
90. Codification:
a. Meaning: Enactment by which all the different
existing laws on the subject are incorporated
b. Sentence: Codification is one of the defining features
of civil law jurisdictions.
91. Cognizable offence:
a. Meaning: an offence in which a police officer has the
authority to make an arrest without a warrant and to
start an investigation with or without the permission of
a court
b. Sentence: Cognizable offences are serious in nature.
92. Cognizable Case:
a. Meaning: A case in which a police officer may arrest
without a warrant
b. Sentence: The police arrested him in a cognizable
case.
93. Complaint:
a. Meaning: the first document filed with the court by a
person or entity claiming the legal rights against the
other
b. Sentence: The party filing the complaint is usually
called the plaintiff and the party against whom the
complaint is filed is called the defendant.
94. Compoundable offences:

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a. Meaning: offences where the complainant (Plaintiff)

enter into compromise and agrees to have charges
dropped against the accused
b. Sentence: Causing hurt (to someone) is a
compoundable offence.
95. Compromise of the suit:
a. Meaning: The parties may submit a lawful agreement
of compromise in writing. The court shall record the
same and pass the decree.
b. Sentence: The compromise puts an end to the suit. (in
maximum cases)
96. Confession:
a. Meaning: An admission by a person charged with
crime, stating that he committed that crime. /A formal
statement admitting that one is guilty of a crime.
b. Sentence: He signed a confession to both the murders.
97. Consensus ad idem:
a. Meaning: Unity of identity of minds of the
contracting parties.
b. Sentence: Consensus ad idem is a Latin word that
means, simply an agreement.
98. Consolidation of statutes:
a. Meaning: combination of different statutes on same
subject
b. Sentence: The courts generally presume that a
consolidating statute leaves prior caselaw intact.
99. Conviction:
a. Meaning: finding guilty of an offence by a judgement
competent court
b. Sentence: He had a similar conviction for a similar
offence.
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100. Copy right:

a. Meaning: The exclusive right of an author in his
literary or artistic work
b. Sentence: Rabindranath Tagore holds the copyrights
of Geetanjali
101. Corruption:
a. Meaning: an illegal act with an intent to gain unfair
advantage in consistent with rights and duties
b. Sentence: Corruption is a root cause for poverty in
India
102. Counter-claim:
a. Meaning: A claim presented by defendant in
opposition to the plaintiff's claim
b. Sentence: He counterclaimed for damages for breach
of the covenant
103. Criminal Case:
a. Meaning: Legal proceeding before a criminal court
aimed at the punishment of accused
b. Sentence: Criminal cases include assault, battery,
theft etc.,
104. Crown defense:
a. Meaning: Defense of an accused at state expenses
b. Sentence: Crown attorney is a government lawyer
105. Curfew:
a. Meaning: an order regulating the people shall not
remain outside for certain time or period
b. Sentence: Curfew is imposed all over the world
because of corona.
106. Consensus ad idem:

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a. Meaning: Agreement by two or more persons upon

the same thing in the same sense. It is the common
consent for binding a contract.
b. Sentence: There must be consensus ad idem between
the contracting parties, and the parties must have
seriously intended that the agreement result in terms
that could be enforced.
107. Central Administrative Tribunal:
a. Meaning: Tribunal for adjudication or trail of disputes
and complaints with respect to recruitment and
conditions of service of persons appointed to public
services and posts of the Central Government
108. Circumstantial Evidence:
a. Meaning: Evidence derived from circumstances,
inference from other proved facts.
109. Coram non judice:
a. Meaning: Before one who is not the judge; Before a
court which has no jurisdiction to the matter
b. Sentence: Such proceedings if so, initiated without
any formal complaint will be coram non judice.
110. Capital sentence on pregnant women:
a. Meaning: The High Court shall order the execution of
the sentence to be postponed and may, if it thinks fit,
commute the sentence to imprisonment for life.
111. Chattel:
a. Meaning: an item of personal property which is
movable, as distinguished from real property (land and
improvement)
112. Collateral:
a. Meaning: property pledged to secure a loan or debt,
usually funds or personal property as distinguished
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from real property (but technically collateral can

include real estate)

D
113. Decree:
a. Meaning: judicial decision or order given by a court
b. Sentence: The court gave a decree in a case
114. Defendant:
a. Meaning: Party against whom against a civil suit is
instituted
b. Sentence: The defendant filed his witness statement in
the suit before the court.
115. Del credere:
a. Meaning: of trust, of credit, of confidence
b. Sentence: A del credere agency is a type of principle-
agent relationship.
116. Double Jeopardy:
a. Meaning: Double Punishment
b. Sentence: Protection from double jeopardy applies on
in cases of criminal court
117. De novo:
a. Meaning: Anew/ beginning again/ new trail
b. Sentence: The appellate court ordered a de novo trail
in a case.
118. Decree nisi:
a. Meaning: Decree not final at present but be made
final unless a contingency happens
b. It is a court order that will come into force at a future
date unless a particular condition is met. (nisi =
unless)
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119. Deadly Weapon:

a. Meaning: any weapon which can kill. This includes
not only weapons which are intended to do harm like a
gun or knife, but also blunt instruments like clubs,
baseball bats, monkey wrenches, an automobile or any
object which actually causes death
120. De facto:
a. Meaning: In fact; in effect; denoting someone or
something that is such in fact
121. De jure:
a. Meaning: lawful; denoting something or someone that
is rightfully such.
122. De minimis:
a. Meaning: of minimum importance or trifling.
123. Deleterious:
a. Meaning: harmful; causing harm or damage
b. Sentence: Smoking is deleterious for health.
[Example: If A keeps deleterious things in their land, and
if any mischief happens, then A would be held liable.]
124. Death penalty:
a. Meaning: the sentence of execution for murder and
some other capital crimes.
125. Decriminalization:
a. Meaning: the repeal or amendment of statutes which
made certain acts criminal, so that those acts no longer
are crimes subject to prosecution.
126. Deuce:
a. Meaning: slang term for a drunk driving conviction.
The term originated in California, where the offense
was once governed by Section 502 of the California
Vehicle Code.
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127. Devise:
a. Meaning: an old-fashioned word for giving real
property by a will, as distinguished from words for
giving personal property. 2) n. the gift of real property
by will.
128. Derelict:
a. Meaning: something or someone who is abandoned
b. Example: such as a ship left to drift at sea or a
homeless person ignored by family and society.

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E
129. Ejectment
a. Meaning: a lawsuit brought to remove a party who is
occupying real property
130. Endowment:
a. Meaning: the creation of a fund, often by gift or
bequest from a dead person's estate, for the
maintenance of a public institution, particularly a
college, university or scholarship.
131. Ergo:
a. Meaning: often used in legal writings.
132. Enjoin:
a. Meaning: for a court to order that someone either do a
specific act, cease a course of conduct or be prohibited
from committing a certain act.
133. Eye witness:
a. Meaning: a person who has actually seen an event
and can so testify in court.
134. Escheat:
a. Meaning: that which falls to one
b. Explanation: the forfeit of all property (including
bank accounts) to the state treasury if it appears
certain that there are no heirs, descendants or named
beneficiaries to take the property upon the death of the
last known owner.
135. Escheat:
a. Meaning: that which falls to one
b. Explanation: the forfeit of all property (including
bank accounts) to the state treasury if it appears
certain that there are no heirs, descendants or named
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beneficiaries to take the property upon the death of the

last known owner.
136. Espionage:
a. Meaning: the crime of spying on the federal
government and/or transferring state secrets on behalf
of a foreign country.
b. Explanation: The other country need not be an
"enemy," so espionage may not be treason, which
involves aiding an enemy.
137. Ex delicto:
a. Meaning: form a delict, tort, crime, fault or
malfeasance
b. Sentence: An action, ex delicto refers to a personal
action arising out of a tort
138. Ex gratia:
a. Meaning: As a matter of grace or favor
b. Sentence: He received an ex gratia payment from
LIC.
139. Ex officio:
a. Meaning: by virtue of an office / one's position/ status
b. Sentence: He is an ex officio member of the
committee.
140. Ex parte:
a. Meaning: expression used to signify something done
or said by one person not in the presence of his
opponent
b. Sentence: The judge issued a temporary ex parte
injunction.
141. Exhibit:
a. Meaning: Document produced in a court as evidence

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b. Sentence: The exhibit was produced by the

prosecutor.
142. Execution:
a. Meaning: Putting the law in force
b. Sentence: The execution of juveniles is prohibited by
international law.
143. Extra–territorial:
a. Meaning: outside territory
b. Sentence: Extraterritorial jurisdiction gives
government the authority to extend its laws beyond its
borders.
144. Ex Turpi Causa:
a. Meaning: From a base cause
b. Sentence: Ex turpi causa is also known as the
illegality defense.
145. Ex turpi causa non oritur actio :~
a. Meaning: from a dishonorable cause an action does
not arise. It is a legal doctrine which states that a
plaintiff will be unable to pursue legal remedy if it
arises in connection with his own illegal act.
b. Explanation:
If two burglars, A and B, agree to open a safe by means
of explosives, and A so negligently handles the explosive
charge as to injure B, B might find some difficulty in
maintaining an action for negligence against A.
146. Exhibit:
a. Meaning: a document or other object produced in a
court as evidence.
b. Sentence: Many exhibits, including the voice
recordings of the culprit, were produced in the court.
147. Extradition:
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a. Meaning: the surrender of an alleged criminal usually

under the provisions of a treaty or statute by one
authority (such as a state) to another having
jurisdiction to try the charge
148. Ejusdem generis:
a. Meaning: of the same kind or nature or species
b. Sentence: Ejusdem generis is used to interpret loosely
written statutes.
149. En ventre sa mere:
a. Meaning: Child in womb
b. Sentence: In law, a child is for all beneficial purposes
considered as born while in ventre sa mere.

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F
150. Factum–Valet:
a. Meaning: The facts which cannot be altered
b. Sentence: Child marriage and its rules are examples
of factum valet
151. Fact finder:
a. Meaning: in a trial of a lawsuit or criminal
prosecution, the jury or judge (if there is no jury) who
decides if facts have been proven.
b. Occasionally a judge may appoint a "special master"
to investigate and report on the existence of certain
facts.
152. Felo de–se:
a. Meaning: One who feloniously commits suicide
b. Sentence: His body was buried without funeral rites
as he was found guilty of felo de se.
153. Fiat Justitia:
a. Meaning: Let the justice be done
b. Sentence: The main motto of legal services is Fiat
Justitia
154. Fabricated evidence:
a. Meaning: evidence made after the fact/ false
evidence.
b. Sentence: All four claim that the officers fabricated
evidence against them/ Officers fabricated evidence
155. Fiduciary:
a. Meaning: in the nature of trust
b. Sentence: The company has a fiduciary duty to his
shareholders.
156. Fiscal:
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a. Meaning: pertaining to treasury, public revenue or

finance.
b. Sentence: If a country wants to avoid an economic
crisis, legislators need to write the current fiscal
policies.
157. Forbear:
a. Meaning: refrain from doing or using something;
abstain
b. Sentence: Forbearance is often consideration for a
promise by the debtor to pay an added amount.
158. Forfeit:
a. Meaning: divest or lose
b. Sentence:
i. A forfeit is what is lost.
ii. His possessions were forfeited.
159. Forge:
a. Meaning: fabricate, counterfeit
b. Sentence: The signature on the document was forged.
160. Forensic:
a. Meaning: belonging to the forum
161. Foster child:
a. Meaning: a child without parental support and
protection, placed with a person or family to be cared
for, usually by local welfare services or by court order.
162. Fact:
a. Meaning: the truth about events as opposed to
interpretation.
(i) Anything (state of things, or relation of things)
capable of being perceived by the senses; (ii) any mental
condition of which any person is conscious.
163. Full age:
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 LEGAL TERMS

a. Meaning: The age at which persons become entitled

to the legal rights of the adults
164. False imprisonment:
a. Meaning: depriving someone of freedom of
movement by holding a person in a confined space or
by physical restraint
b. Sentence: False imprisonment is often a crime and if
proved is almost always the basis of a lawsuit for
damages.
165. Frivolous:
a. Meaning: referring to a legal move in a lawsuit
clearly intended merely to harass, delay or embarrass
the opposition.
166. Fungible things:
a. Meaning: goods which are interchangeable, often sold
or delivered in bulk, since any one of them is as good
as another.
167. Full age:
a. Meaning: The age at which persons become entitled
to the legal rights of the adults.
168. False imprisonment:
a. Meaning: depriving someone of freedom of
movement by holding a person in a confined space or
by physical restraint
b. Sentence: False imprisonment is often a crime and if
proved is almost always the basis of a lawsuit for
damages.
169. Felonious:
a. Meaning: referring to an act done with criminal intent
/ relating to or of the nature of felony.
b. Sentence: His conduct was proved to be felonious.
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170. Forcible Entry:

a. Meaning: the crime of taking possession of a house or
other structure or land by the use of physical force or
serious threats against the occupants

G
171. Gag order:
a. Meaning: a judge's order prohibiting the attorneys and
the parties (to a pending lawsuit or criminal
prosecution) from talking to the media or the public
about the case. (or)
b. a judge's directive forbidding the public disclosure of
information on a particular matter.
172. General Appearance:
a. Meaning: an attorney's representation of a client in
court for all purposes connected with a pending
lawsuit or prosecution.
173. Governmental Immunity:
a. Meaning: the doctrine from English common law that
no governmental body can be sued unless it gives
permission. This protection resulted in terrible
injustices, since public hospitals, government drivers
and other employees could be negligent with
immunity (free) from judgment.

174. Hiba:

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 LEGAL TERMS

a. Meaning: gift / transfer of property

b. Sentence: Hiba is a transfer of property by act of
parties and not by operation of law.
175. Headnote:
a. Meaning: the summary of the key legal points
determined by an appeals court, which appears just
above each decision in published reports of cases
b. Usage/ Importance: Headnotes are useful for a quick
scan of the judgment, but they are the editor's remarks
and not the court's.
176. Habeas Corpus:
a. Meaning: to have the body of / to produce the body
b. Explanation: It is a writ requiring a person under
arrest to be brought before a judge or into court,
especially to secure the person's release unless lawful
grounds are shown for their detention.
c. Sentence: Habeas corpus is the right to have one’s
detention reviewed by a judge
177. Homicide:
a. Meaning: the killing of a human being due to the act
or omission of another.
b. Sentence: He was charged with homicide.
178. Holographic will:
a. Meaning: a will entirely handwritten, dated and
signed by the testator (the person making the will), but
not signed by required witnesses
179. Hypothecate:
a. Meaning: pledge
b. Sentence: The Plaintiff filed a suit, hypothecating his
share of property, in the court.

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180. Ibid:
a. Meaning: in the same place, book, passage
b. Sentence: Ibid is the abbreviation of Latin word
Ibidem. E.g.: Ibid p.75
181. Immunity:
a. Meaning: officially granted exemption from legal
proceedings or liability
b. Sentence: The MLA was granted immunity from
prosecution.
182. In case:
a. Meaning: as a provision against something happening
or being true
b. Sentence: In case, the witness is correct, the Accused
will be punished.
183. In praesenti:
a. Meaning: at the present time, at once, immediately
b. Sentence: The police produced the accused in
praesenti before the court.
184. In camera:
a. Meaning: Secret, not open to public
b. Sentence: The judge ordered the advocates and others
to leave the court for in camera proceedings
185. Indigent:
a. Meaning: Needy, poor
b. Sentence: The court provides legal aid council to the
indigent persons.
186. Injunction:
a. Meaning: an authoritative judicial process to do or not
to do an act according to the circumstances of the case
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b. Sentence: The court granted injunction orders in favor

of the plaintiff over his property.
187. In memoriam:
a. Meaning: in memory of (a dead person)
b. Sentence: The Bar Association donated books to the
poor students in memoriam of a deceased senior
advocate.
188. Inquiry:
a. Meaning: an official investigation
b. Sentence: The police started inquiry in the murder
case.
189. In loco parentis:
a. Meaning: (Of a teacher or other adult responsible for
children) in the place of a parent
b. Sentence: The guardian appeared before the court on
behalf of minor in loco parentis.
190. Intestate:
a. Meaning: not having made a will before one dies.
b. Sentence: He died intestate.
191. Injuria sine damno:
a. Meaning: injury without damage / violating of a legal
right without causing damage to others
b. Explanation: Injuria= injury to legal right; sine =
without;
damno= damages
c. Example: If a person enters a private compound
without permission of the owner, an action can be
taken against him even no actual damages caused.
192. In absentia:
a. Meaning: In absence/ in one's absence

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 LEGAL TERMS

b. Explanation: Occasionally a criminal trial is

conducted without the defendant being present when
he/she walks out or escapes after the trial has begun
193. Inter alia:
a. Meaning: among other things
b. Sentence: The judge said, inter alia, that the time to
file the action had passed.
194. Ipso jure:
a. Meaning: by law itself; by operation of law
b. [Sentence: is the seizure of property by customs
agents which, if the property is found to be
contraband, is forfeit to the government ipso jure]
195. Inherent injunction:
a. Meaning: power from the very nature and essential to
the existence
196. Inquest:
a. Meaning: Legal or judicial inquiry into a matter of
fact/ a judicial inquiry to ascertain the facts relating to
an incident
b. Sentence: The judge ordered an inquest after several
family members requested their loved one’s death be
investigated further
197. Intra virus:
a. Meaning: within the power, within the authority given
by law / inside the powers
b. Sentence: Acts that are intra vires may equivalently
be termed valid.
198. Interim order:
a. Meaning: a temporary order of the court pending a
hearing, trial, a final order or while awaiting an act by
one of the parties.
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 LEGAL TERMS

199. Impleader:
a. Meaning: a procedural device before trial in which a
party brings a third party into the lawsuit because that
third party is the one who owes money to an original
defendant, which money will be available to pay the
original plaintiff.
200. In haec verba:
a. Meaning: in these words
201. Intrinstic fraud:
a. Meaning: an intentionally false representation (lie)
which is part of the fraud and can be considered in
determining general and punitive damages
b. [Antonym: extrinsic fraud: a deceptive means to
keeping one from enforcing his/her legal rights.]

202. Joint tortfeasors:

a. Meaning: two or more persons whose negligence in a
single accident or event causes damages to another
person.
b. Explanation: In many cases, joint tortfeasors are
jointly liable for the damages.
203. Jeopardy:
a. Meaning: Hazard, Danger, Punishment
b. Sentence: The whole property is in jeopardy (danger)
204. Joinder of parties:
a. Meaning: Joinder of several persons in the same suit
b. Sentence: The suit was decreed due to joinder of
parties. /

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 LEGAL TERMS

The Plaintiff filed a petition for joinder of all parties of

deceased Defendant.
205. Judgement:
a. Meaning: The statement given by a Judge on the
grounds of decree or order.
b. Sentence: The Judgement was given in favor of
Plaintiff/
i. The court delivered judgement in favor of
Defendant
206. Judgement debtor:
a. Meaning: A person against whom a decree has been
passed or an order capable of execution has been made
b. Sentence: The Plaintiff / DHr., filed an execution
petition before the court for recovery of decree amount
against the Respondent Judgement debtor
(DHr.: Decree Holder)
207. Jurisdiction:
a. Meaning: Extent of the powers of a court
b. Sentence: The parties should file the suit in the court
within their local jurisdiction. /
The police should register the crime if it is occurred in
their jurisdiction
c. Types: Local jurisdiction, Original jurisdiction,
Appellate jurisdiction, Territorial jurisdiction,
Pecuniary jurisdiction.
208. Jus–ad rem:
a. Meaning: a right without possession, incomplete right
to a thing
b. Sentence: The preservation claim of jus ad rem is
ready to protect the absolute rights
209. Jus–commune:
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 LEGAL TERMS

a. Meaning: The common and natural rule of right

210. Jus–non scriptum:
a. Meaning: The unwritten law
b. Sentence: The Roman Law is either jus scriptum or
jus non scriptum.
211. Jus scriptum: written law
212. Jus tertii:
a. Meaning: The right of a third party (The jus tertii
principle also extends to criminal law)
b. Sentence: Valid defenses are those of statutory
authority, consent, where it is necessary to interfere
with the goods, or " jus tertii ".
213. Jurisprudence:
a. Meaning: the entire subject of law, the study of law
and legal questions

214. Kindred:
a. Meaning: Blood relation ship
b. Sentence: The Judge should give judgement
irrespective of kindred.
215. Kidnap:
a. Meaning: to take a person away illegally by force,
usually in order to demand money in exchange for
releasing them
b. Sentence: The accused was arrested for the offence
punishable of kidnap and robbery
216. Kin:
a. Meaning: related

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 LEGAL TERMS

b. Sentence: He was kin to the plaintiff.

217. Kidnap:
a. Meaning: to take a person away illegally by force,
usually in order to demand money in exchange for
releasing them
b. Sentence: The accused was arrested for the offence
punishable of kidnap and robbery
218. Kin:
a. Meaning: related
b. Sentence: He was kin to the plaintiff.

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 LEGAL TERMS

219. Law:
a. Meaning: the system of rules which a particular
country or community recognizes as regulating the
actions of its members and which it may enforce by
the imposition of penalties.
b. Sentence: Everyone should obey the rules and
regulations of the law.
c. Types: Civil Law, Criminal Law, Constitutional Law,
Administrative Law, International Law etc.,
220. Litera legis:
a. Meaning: Letters of legislation
221. Litigation:
a. Meaning: judicial proceedings, case (the process of
taking legal action).
b. Sentence: The company wishes to avoid litigation.
222. Lapse:
a. Meaning: to fail to occur, particularly a gift made in a
will. (or) The termination of an offer as a result of the
passage of time, death, or the non fulfilment of a
condition.
223. Larceny:
a. Meaning: the crime of taking the goods of another
person without permission (usually secretly), with the
intent of keeping them
b. Sentence: Larceny is a form of theft.
224. Legal:

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 LEGAL TERMS

a. Meaning: according to law, not in violation of law or

anything related to the law
b. Sentence: The Plaintiff produced a legally valid
document in the court.
225. Lis pendens:
a. Meaning: a pending suit / a pending legal action, or a
formal notice of one.
226. Locus standi:
a. Meaning: signifies right to be heard / the right or
capacity to bring an action or to appear in a court
b. Sentence: The Plaintiff has no locus standi to file the
suit.
227. Laches:
a. Meaning: slackness, negligence
b. Sentence: The suit was dismissed due to laches of
parties.
228. Latent:
a. Meaning: Not manifest, not visible, hidden, concealed
b. Sentence: The Court was unable to give correct
judgement because of latent documents
229. Leading question:
a. Meaning: A question that prompts or encourages the
answer wanted
b. Sentence: The Defense council asked leading
questions to the complainant.
230. Lis:
a. Meaning: suit, controversy, legal action
b. Sentence: He filed lis in the court.
231. Lawsuit:
a. Meaning: a common term for a legal action by one
person or entity against another person or entity, to be
THE_LAWGICAL_WORLD 39
 LEGAL TERMS

decided in a court of law, sometimes just called a

"suit."
b. Sentence: Generally, the aggrieved persons (victims)
approach the Honorable Court by filing a lawsuit for
remedy.
232. Legal Services:
a. Meaning: the work performed by a lawyer for a
client.
233. Legal Action:
a. Meaning: any lawsuit, petition or prosecution.
b. Sentence: The complainant is ready to take legal
action against the accused
234. Liability:
a. Meaning: legal responsibility for one's acts or
omissions.
b. Sentence: The Accused is liable for the offense
committed by him.
235. Line up:
a. Meaning: a law enforcement method used in an
attempt to have a witness or victim identify a person
suspected of committing a crime.
236. Libel:
a. Meaning: to publish in print, writing or broadcast
through radio, television or film, an untruth about
another which will do harm to that person or his/her
reputation, by tending to bring the target into ridicule,
hatred, scorn or contempt of others.
b. Explanation:
i. It is a tort (civil wrong) making the person or
entity open to a lawsuit for damages by the

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 LEGAL TERMS

person who can prove the statement about

him/her was a lie.
ii. [Libel is the written or broadcast form of
defamation, distinguished from slander, which is
oral defamation]

M
237. Maim:
a. Meaning: to inflict a serious bodily injury, including
mutilation or any harm which limits the victim's
ability to function physically.
238. Maintenance:
a. Meaning: Subsistence, supply of necessaries, aid,
support and maintenance of wife, children and aged
parents.
b. Sentence: The petitioner filed a petition for
maintenance against her husband in court.
239. Mala fide:
a. Meaning: in bad faith
b. Sentence: The Defendant came upon the property of
the Plaintiff with a mala fide intention
240. Mens Rea:
a. Meaning: a guilty mind
b. Sentence: The accused committed the offense with
mens rea.
241. Modus operandi:
a. Meaning: mode of operating the way in which a
person goes to work
b. Sentence: Every criminal has his own special modus
operandi
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 LEGAL TERMS

242. Modus vivendi:

a. Meaning: the manner of living a way of life
b. Sentence: The two nations developed a modus
vivendi in order to avoid war.
243. Metropolitan area:
a. Meaning: Area comprising a city & having
population more than 10 lakhs
b. Sentence: A good example of Metropolitan area is
Hyderabad.
244. Misjoinder of parties:
a. Meaning: Inclusion of persons who are neither
necessary nor proper parties in the suit.
b. Sentence: The suit was dismissed due to misjoinder of
parties.
245. Magistrate:
a. Meaning: a civil officer who administers the law,
especially one who conducts a court that deals with
minor offences and holds preliminary hearings for
more serious ones
b. Sentence: The Magistrate gave judgement in favor of
the Plaintiff in property suit.
246. Malus usuo:
a. Meaning: a bad custom
247. Magna Carta:
a. Meaning: Great Charter of Freedoms. It was a
document delineating a series of laws establishing the
rights of English barons and major landowners and
limiting the absolute authority of the King of England.
b. Sentence: They get neither political nor civil rights
under Magna Carta
248. Mutualities Mutandis:
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 LEGAL TERMS

a. Meaning: With necessary changes in points of detail

249. Mesne profit:
a. Meaning: The profits which have accrued while there
was a dispute over land ownership.
b. Explanation: If it is determined the party using the
land did not have legal ownership, the true owner can
sue for some or all of the profits made in the interim
by the illegal tenant, which are thus called "mesne
profits."
250. Malfeasance:
a. Meaning: intentionally doing something either legally
or morally wrong which one had no right to do.
b. Sentence: The government officer was proved guilty
of malfeasance.
251. Malum in se:
a. Meaning: wrong in itself
252. Malpractice:
a. Meaning: An act or continuing conduct of a
professional which does not meet the standard of
professional competence and results in provable
damages to his/her client or patient
b. Sentence: Malpractice does not include the exercise
of professional judgment even when the results are
detrimental to the client or patient.
253. Memorandum:
a. Meaning: An informal record, in the form of a brief
written note or outline, of a particular legal transaction
or document for the purpose of aiding the parties in
remembering particular points or for future reference.

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 LEGAL TERMS

b. Types: There are several types such as a policy memo,

memorandum of understanding, memorandum of
agreement, or memorandum of association.
254. Mandamus:
a. Meaning: (we order), a writ which orders a public
agency or governmental body to perform an act
required by law when it has neglected or refused to do
so.
b. Sentence: The Accused applied for judicial review
and is seeking an order for the writ of Mandamus in
the court.
255. Multifarious:
a. Meaning: reference to a lawsuit in which either party
or various causes of action (claims based on different
legal theories) are improperly joined together in the
same suit.
256. Moratorium:
a. Meaning: any suspension of activity, particularly
voluntary suspension of collections of debts by a
private enterprise or by government or pursuant to
court order
257. Muniment deed:
a. Meaning: Documentary evidence of title to real
property.
b. Explanation: A muniment could be a deed, a decree
of distribution proving inheritance, or a contract of
sale.

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258. Natural Justice:

a. Meaning: justice founded on equity, fairness and
good conscience
b. Sentence: The courts deliver judgements based on
natural justice.
259. Next friend:
a. Meaning: Guardian for the Plaintiff
b. Sentence: On behalf of the minor Plaintiff his next
friend i.e., father of the Plaintiff filed a suit.
260. Nexus:
a. Meaning: bond, a central link or connection
b. Sentence: The school cafeteria is the nexus of student
activity.
261. Non-compos mentia:
a. Meaning: Not of sound mind
b. Sentence: Due to non-compos mentia of witness, his
evidence was not taken into consideration.
262. Non sequitur:
a. Meaning: It does not follow
263. Notary public:
a. Meaning: an officer authorized to certify document
b. Sentence: The Government appointed Notary Public.
264. Non-cognizable offence:
a. Meaning: an offence for which a police officer has no
authority to arrest without warrant
b. Sentence: The Police could not arrest the Accused
because the offence/case is non-cognizable one.
265. Non-cognizable case:
a. Meaning: a case in which a police officer has no
authority to arrest without warrant.
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 LEGAL TERMS

266. Non joinder of parties:

a. Meaning: Omission to include a necessary or proper
party
b. Sentence: The suit is dismissed due to non-joinder of
parties
267. Null:
a. Meaning: of no legal effect
b. Sentence: The Plaintiff filed a suit on basis of a
document which is null. /The suit was dismissed as the
document is null
268. Negligence:
a. Meaning: failure to take proper care over something. /
breach of a duty of care which results in damage.
b. Sentence: The Tort Feasor was made liable as his dog
had bitten others because of his negligence.
269. Nolle Prosequi:
a. Meaning: A voluntary withdrawal from prosecution.
b. Sentence: The Suit was dismissed because of the
Nolle Prosequi of by the Plaintiff
270. Next of kin:
a. Meaning: 1) the nearest blood relatives of a person
who has died, including the surviving spouse. 2)
anyone who would receive a portion of the estate by
the laws of descent and distribution if there is no will.
271. Negotiation:
a. Meaning: the action or process of transferring legal
ownership of a document (or) any communication
process between individuals that is intended to reach a
compromise or agreement to the satisfaction of both
parties

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 LEGAL TERMS

b. Sentence: The suit was dismissed by the negotiation

of both the parties
272. Nil:
a. Meaning: nothing or zero
273. Nisi prius:
a. Meaning: unless first
b. Explanation: Court of original jurisdiction is often
substituted for the term nisi prius.
274. Non ostante clause:
a. Meaning: Not withstanding clause
b. Sentence: The suit was dismissed as it is non ostante
clause.
275. Noctiur-a-socis:
a. Meaning: One is known by his companions; true
meaning of a word
276. Non-conforming use:
a. Meaning: the existing use of a parcel of real property
which is zoned for a more limited or other use in the
city or county's general plan.
277. Non-contestability clause:
a. Meaning: an insurance policy provision which
requires the insurance company to challenge any
statement in the application for the insurance within a
specific time

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 LEGAL TERMS

278. Oath:
a. Meaning: a swearing to tell the truth,
b. Sentence: The Witness answered to the questions of
Prosecution after giving Oath in the name of God.
279. Offence:
a. Meaning: Any act or omission made punishable by
law
b. Sentence: The Accused was punished by Police due to
an offence committed by him.
280. Official Receiver:
a. Meaning: A person appointed to carry out the duties
in connection with winding up proceedings
b. Sentence: The Senior Advocate was appointed as
official receiver by the court in connection with
winding up proceedings
281. Ostensible agent:
a. Meaning: a person who has been given the
appearance of being an employee or acting (an agent)
for another (principal), which would make anyone
dealing with the ostensible agent reasonably believe
he/she was an employee or agent
282. Order:
a. Meaning: The formal expression of any decision of a
civil court which is not a decree
b. Sentence: The court gave an order in favor of the
Plaintiff in the petition filed by him
283. Obiter Probandi:
a. Meaning: The burden of proving.

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284. Overruled:
a. Meaning: to reject an attorney's objection to a
question to a witness or admission of evidence.
b. Explanation: By overruling the objection, the trial
judge allows the question or evidence in court. E.g.
Objection overruled
285. Objection:
a. Meaning: a lawyer's protest about the legal propriety
of a question which has been asked of a witness by the
opposing attorney, with the purpose of making the
trial judge decide if the question can be asked.
b. Sentence: The Defense Lawyer said objection to the
irrelevant questions raised by the Prosecution to the
witness.
286. Obligation:
a. Meaning: a binding agreement committing a person
to a payment or other action
287. Oral Contract:
a. Meaning: an agreement made with spoken words and
either no writing or only partially written.
b. Sentence: An oral contract is just as valid as a written
agreement.
288. Omnibus clause:
a. Meaning: an automobile insurance policy clause
which provides coverage no matter who is driving the
car
289. Ouster:
a. Meaning: the wrongful dispossession (putting out) of
a rightful owner or tenant of real property, forcing the
party pushed out of the premises to bring a lawsuit to
regain possession.
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THE_LAWGICAL_WORLD 50
 LEGAL TERMS

290. Parol:
a. Meaning: given or expressed orally
b. Sentence: Parol agreement is not admissible evidence
in the court.
291. Pacta sunt servanda:
a. Meaning: Contracts / agreements are to be kept
b. Explanation: The Pacta sunt servanda is a basic
principle of civil law, canon law, international law.
292. Party in person:
a. Meaning: party appearing not through a lawyer but by
himself
b. Sentence: The Plaintiff himself filed a suit as Party in
person without engaging an advocate.
293. Per capita:
a. Meaning: by heads
b. Sentence: Florida has the highest prison per capita in
the nation.
294. Post mortem:
a. Meaning: a medical examination of a dead body to
know the exact reason of death.
b. Sentence: The doctors conducted post mortem and
made a report.
295. Perjury:
a. Meaning: the offence of willfully telling an untruth or
making a misrepresentation under oath
b. Sentence: He claimed two witnesses at his trial had
committed perjury
296. Plaint:

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 LEGAL TERMS

a. Meaning: A statement in writing of grounds of

complaint made to a court of law seeking for justice
b. Sentence: The aggrieved person filed a plaint before
the court seeking for justice.
297. Plaintiff:
a. Meaning: Aggrieved party in a civil case who
instituted the suit
b. Sentence: The Plaintiff filed a suit before the court
against the Defendant.
298. Pleading:
a. Meaning: A Plaint or written statement. Pleading is
the beginning stage of a suit in which parties formally
submit their claims or defenses.
b. Sentence: Generally, the litigant parties may approach
the Advocates file their Pleadings before the Court
299. Pari materia:
a. Meaning: Equal or similar matter, same subject
300. Patent:
a. Meaning: a government authority or license
conferring a right or title for a set period, especially
the sole right to exclude others from making, using, or
selling an invention.
b. Sentence: There was a case in the court regarding
violation of patent rights.
301. Per diem:
a. Meaning: by the day
302. Precept:
a. Meaning: a writ or warrant
b. Sentence: The commissioner issued precepts
requiring the companies to provide necessary
information.
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 LEGAL TERMS

303. Prima facie:

a. Meaning: on the face of it; at the first sight; based on
first impression; accepted as correct until proved
otherwise.
b. Sentence: There is prima facie evidence that he was
involved in the fraud.
304. Persona non grata:
a. Meaning: an unacceptable person
305. Prima facie:
a. Meaning: on the face of it; at the first sight; based on
first impression; accepted as correct until proved
otherwise.
b. Sentence: There is prima facie evidence that he was
involved in the fraud.
306. Persona non grata:
a. Meaning: an unacceptable person
307. Primary Evidence:
a. Meaning: Original document produced for the
inspection of the Court
b. Sentence: The Plaintiff filed all the original
documents as Primary Evidence before the court.
308. Prohibition:
a. Meaning: The act of forbidding something by law/
banning of a manufacture, storage, transportation,
alcoholic beverages, etc.
b. Sentence: Drunk and drive is prohibited by the
government.

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309. Quo Warranto:

a. Meaning: a writ or legal action requiring a person to
show by what warrant an office or franchise is held,
claimed, or exercised.
b. Explanation:
i. The writ of Quo warranto is issued by the court to
inquire into the legality of claim of a person into
a public office. It is one of the writs.
ii. It restrains the person or authority to act in an
office which he is not entitled to.
c. Sentence: The petitioner filed a Quo Warranto writ
before the High Court against the District Collector for
removing him from the job.
310. Quid pro quo:
a. Meaning: Something given or received for something
else
b. Sentence: So many political leaders were arrested in
Quid pro quo cases.
c. Example: A political leader offered money to get
Government land illegally, and gave promotion to the
officer who helped him. This is called Quid pro quo.
311. Quantum meruit:
a. Meaning: as much as he deserved
312. Quotient verdict:
a. Meaning: an award of money damages set by a jury in
a lawsuit in which each juror states in writing his/her
opinion of what the amount should be.

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R
313. Rateable distribution:
a. Meaning: equitable distribution when there are more
applications for execution against the same judgement
debtor
314. Ratio decidendi:
a. Meaning: Reasons for the decisions of a case
b. Sentence: A judicial statement can be ratio decidendi
only if it refers to the crucial facts and law of the case.
315. Release:
a. Meaning: Renouncing a claim
b. Sentence: The Accused was released on bail.
316. Res-judicata:
a. Meaning: a case or suit already decided
b. Sentence: A court will use res judicata to deny
reconsideration of any matter.
317. Res-nullius:
a. Meaning: a thing which has no owner
b. Sentence: The court also felt that the damage was
done to res nullius, for which no one had a standing to
claim compensation
318. Res-ispo-loquitor:
a. Meaning: The things speak for itself
319. Res publica:
a. Meaning: Things of the state decided to the use of
citizens
320. Rule nisi:
a. Meaning: a rule or order upon condition that is
become absolute when cause is shown to the contrary.
321. Remoteness of damage:
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a. Meaning: Damages remotely resulting from the act/

Indirect damages
b. Sentence: The Plaintiff received a great loss and
remoteness of damage in an accident.
322. Replication:
a. Meaning: reply by the Plaintiff to Defendant's written
statement
b. Sentence: The filed a replication in the Court.
323. Respondent:
a. Meaning: party against whom an appeal, application
petition or other legal proceeding is filed
b. Sentence: The Respondent did not appear before the
Court
324. Restitution:
a. Meaning: Restoration to original position
b. Sentence: The Honorable Court was pleased to
restitute the suit
325. Res integra:
a. Meaning: an untouched matter
b. Sentence: A point without a precedent case of novel
impression
c. The points of law which have not been decided comes
under the doctrine of Res integra.
326. Ratio legis:
a. Meaning: The reasons of the law
327. Res subjudice:
a. Meaning: a thing pending decision before a court so
another court shall not proceed with such a case.
b. Explanation: Res subjudice relates to matter pending
judicial enquiry or trial sub judice.
c. Sentence: Res subjudice bars to the trial of the suit.
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328. Reversal:
a. Meaning: Annual or turn back a decision by an
appellate court or a court exercising superior
jurisdiction/ the decision of a court of appeal ruling
that the judgment of a lower court was incorrect and is
therefore reversed
b. Sentence: Disappointed by the judgement in the
District Court, the Accused appealed to the High
Court. The District Court's judgement was reversed by
the High Court as per the evidence.

S
329. Search warrant:
a. Meaning: an official document that gives police
officers the authority to search a building for stolen
property, illegal goods, or information that might help
to solve a crime
b. Sentence: The High Court issued a search warrant.
330. Status quo:
a. Meaning: The existing state of affairs especially
regarding social, property, or political issues.
b. Sentence: The court issued status quo orders on the
petition filed by the petitioner over his property.
331. Solatium:
a. Meaning: a sum paid to an injured party over and
above actual damages by way of solace to his
wounded feelings. / a thing given to someone as a
compensation
b. Sentence: A suitable solatium was paid to the injured
in the form of apology
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332. Set off:

a. Meaning: a right of the defendant for a fixed and
ascertained sum of money which is legally recoverable
within the pecuniary jurisdiction of the court
333. Summons:
a. Meaning: An order to appear before a Judge or
Magistrate, or the writ containing such an order
b. Sentence: The Court had sent the summons to the
Defendant regarding to the suit filed by Plaintiff.
334. Summons case:
a. Meaning: a case in which the offense is a minor one
for which a police officer may without arrest notify a
person to appear in court at a fixed time and place.
335. Supreme legislation:
a. Meaning: legislation that is derived directly from the
supreme or sovereign power in a state
b. Sentence: A supreme legislation cannot be repealed
annulled, or controlled by any other legislative
authority.
336. Spies successtionis:
a. Meaning: The chance of an heir apparent succeeding
to an estate
337. Spes accres cendi:
a. Meaning: Hope of surviving
338. Surcharge:
a. Meaning: an additional charge of money made
because it was omitted in the original calculation or as
a penalty, such as for being late in making a payment.
339. Screvener:
a. Meaning: a person who writes a document for
another, usually for a fee.
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340. Scienter:
a. Meaning: having knowledge.
In criminal law, it refers to knowledge by a defendant
that his/her acts were illegal or his/her statements were
lies and thus fraudulent.
341. Sub judice:
a. Meaning: in course of trail
b. Sentence: The cases were still sub judice
342. Sub silentio:
a. Meaning: silently
b. Sentence: If a case is decided against precedent, the
newer case is said to have over-ruled the previous
decision sub silentio.
343. Sine die:
344. Meaning: Indefinitely, without the appointment of
any definite date
a. Sentence: An example of sine die is a meeting ending
with no date set for the next meeting.
345. Sine qua non:
a. Meaning: In indispensable condition/ without it could
not be
b. Sentence: The presence of Judge sine qua non for the
court.
346. Substantive law:
a. Meaning: The part of law which creates and defines
right
b. Sentence: Substantive law includes civil, criminal and
administrative protection.
347. Sui juris:
a. Meaning: Of one's own right. A person having full
legal capacity
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b. Sentence: A person who is sui juris is the one who is

not bankrupt, mentally incapable or minor.
348. Suit by indigent person:
a. Meaning: Suit by a person not able to pay court fees
b. Sentence: The court grant permission to the indigent
person to file a suit without paying court fees.
349. Sanction:
a. Meaning: A threatened penalty for disobeying a law
or rule.
b. General Usage: An official permission or approval of
an action.
c. Sentence: The Government sanctioned scholarship to
the poor students.
350. Succession:
a. Meaning: The statutory rules of inheritance of a dead
person's estate when the property is not given by the
terms of a will.
b. Sentence: The Plaintiff filed a suit for his share in his
ancestral property as per succession rules

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351. Tacit:
a. Meaning: Implied / suggested but not directly
expressed
b. Sentence: The Witness expressed his views in a tacit
way.
352. Tenor:
a. Meaning: Identity
b. Sentence: While granting the bail, the Court checks
the tenor of the surety.
353. Tenure of office:
a. Meaning: Term of office
b. Sentence: The Tenure Additional Public Prosecutor is
3 years. I.e. the tenure of his office is 3 years from the
date of his appointment
354. Testacy:
a. Meaning: dying with a will (a testament) /
b. It refers to the condition of leaving a valid will
355. Tort:
a. Meaning: a civil wrong or wrongful act, whether
intentional or accidental, from which injury occurs to
another. Torts include all negligence cases as well as
intentional wrongs which result in harm
b. Explanation: It is derived from a French word, tortus
which means a wrongful act
356. Tenancy:
a. Meaning: the right to occupy real property
permanently, for a time which may terminate upon a
certain event, for a specific term, for a series of

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periods until cancelled (such as month-to-month), or at

will (which may be terminated at any time).
357. Tenant:
a. Meaning: a person who occupies real property owned
by another based upon an agreement between the
person and the landlord/owner, almost always for
rental payments.
358. Trier of fact:
a. Meaning: the judge or jury responsible for deciding
factual issues in a trial. If there is no jury the judge is
the trier of fact as well as the trier of the law
359. Transcript:
a. Meaning: the written record of all proceedings,
including testimony, in a trial, hearing or deposition
360. Treason:
a. Meaning: the crime of betraying one's country,
especially by attempting to kill the sovereign or
overthrow the government.
b. Sentence: They were convicted of treason.

361. Ultra – vires:

a. Meaning: Beyond powers
b. Sentence: The Court could not give judgement ultra
vires.
362. Ultrahazardous activity:
a. Meaning: An action or process which is so inherently
dangerous that the person or entity conducting the

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activity is strictly liable for any injury caused by the

activity

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363. Valid:
a. Meaning: Having full legal effect
b. Sentence: All the documents filed by the Plaintiff
were valid
364. Veto:
a. Meaning: The power of negating decisions /
A constitutional right to reject a decision or proposal
made by a lawmaking body.
b. Sentence: Neither state was given a veto over
amendments to the Act.
365. Viginte:
a. Meaning: someone who takes the law into his/her
own hands by trying and/or punishing another person
without any legal authority.
366. Voir dire:
a. Meaning: to see to speak
367. Void:
a. Meaning: invalid, un-effectual and unfavorable
b. Sentence: The Court dismissed the suit filed by the
Plaintiff due to void documents.
368. Voidable:
a. Meaning: capable of being made void.
b. Example: a contract entered into by a minor under 18
is voidable upon his/her reaching majority, but the
minor may also affirm the contract at that time.

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369. Waive:
a. Meaning: to voluntarily give up something, including
not enforcing a term of a contract, or knowingly
giving up a legal right such as a speedy trial, a jury
trial or a hearing on extradition
370. Warrant:
a. Meaning: written authority
b. Sentence: The Police had a warrant to arrest the
Accused.
371. Will:
a. Meaning: a legal document that expresses a person's
wishes as to how their property is to be distributed
after their death and as to which person is to manage
the property until its final distribution
b. Sentence: The property was distributed among the
four sons of the deceased as per the will written.
372. Whiplash:
a. Meaning: a common neck and/or back injury suffered
in automobile accidents in which the head and/or
upper back is snapped back and forth suddenly and
violently by the impact.
b. Sentence: The Accused was arrested as he was
involved in an accident that caused whiplash to the
injured person.

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373. Your honor:

a. Meaning: The proper way to address a judge in court.

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