My name is Abdoulaye and I'm studying paralegal technology at Ahuntsic College and I'm on my last semester. Paralegal technology is a program that teaches students to communicate effectively through the use of legal terminology. Working in a law office requires analytical skills and a strong sense of professional ethics, all of which is covered in the program. This glossary contains of common words used in the field of law.
attorney
noun
a person appointed to act for another in business or legal matters.
Example: he asked jurors systematic questions of their interpretations of the evidence after each attorney had presented their case.
fr: avocat
case
noun
a legal action, especially one to be decided in a court of law.
Example: Don't plead my case for me.
fr: cause
contract
noun
An agreement between two or more parties to do or refrain from doing something; this often involves a promise of something in return for something of value. There are both written and oral contracts, though in some states oral contracts have little or no standing.
Example: They signed a contract
fr: contrat
court
noun
a tribunal presided over by a judge, judges, or a magistrate in civil and criminal cases.
Example: My client's in court out here and I'm keeping an eye on her assets.
fr: cour
depose
noun
To testify or give under oath or sworn affidavit.
Example: he deposed before the court that he had seen the defendant enter the building
fr: attester
doctrine
noun
a principle of law established through past decisions
Example: This doctrine applies to nearly all workers, with some notable exceptions.
fr: doctrine
felony
noun
A serious crime punishable by death or at least one year in a state or federal prison. Felonies include arson, rape, perjury and homicide. When theft is involved, the value of that which was stolen determines whether the offense is considered a misdemeanor or felony.
Example: He was convicted of felony murder.
fr: crime
hearing
noun
an act of listening to evidence in a court of law or before an official, especially a trial before a judge without a jury.
Example: the court may stay execution pending a hearing
fr: audience
judge
noun
a public official appointed to decide cases in a court of law.
Example: The judge told us not to discuss the case.
fr: juge
jurisdiction
noun
the official power to make legal decisions and judgments.
Example: the county court's jurisdiction cannot extend to contempts outside of the courtroom, was already provided for by the common law.
fr: juridiction
jurisprudence
noun
the theory or philosophy of law
Example: From this fundamental difference between the view held by history and that held by jurisprudence, it follows that jurisprudence can tell minutely how in its opinion power should be constituted
fr: jurisprudence
jury
noun
a body of people (typically twelve in number) sworn to give a verdict in a legal case on the basis of evidence submitted to them in court
Example: It is a question for the jury to decide who can be regarded as the directing and controlling mind of a company.
fr: jury
legislation
noun
laws, considered collectively.
Example: She introduced legislation for protecting the environment.
fr: législation
malfeasance
noun
Doing something illegal or morally wrong. Malfeasance includes dishonesty and abuse of authority.
Example: He was accused of malfeasance in office, but he was not tried until several years had elapsed.
fr: malversation
misdemeanor
noun
A crime less serious than a felony, punishable by or imprisonment for less than a year.
Example: He was brought to trial because of misdemeanor theft.
fr: délit
paralegal
noun
a person trained in subsidiary legal matters but not fully qualified as a lawyer.
Example: She has been working as a paralegal assistant in Atlanta
fr: parajuriste
prescription
noun
the establishment of a claim founded on the basis of a long or indefinite period of uninterrupted use or of long-standing custom
fr: prescription
procedure
noun
The methods by which legal rights are enforced; the specific machinery for carrying on a lawsuit, including process, the pleadings...
Example: Concerns that couples with something to hide might turn to DIY divorce procedures have also been expressed by Birmingham Law Society members.
fr: procédure
statute
noun
A written law passed by Congress or another legislative body.
Example: the courts should seek an interpretation corresponding to the parliamentary intention behind that statute.
fr: statut
trademark
noun
A sign or combination of signs that is used or proposed to be used by a person for the purpose of distinguishing or so as to distinguish their goods or services from those of others
Example: All trademarks are the property of their respective holders.
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