Law Vocabulary

Here are twenty words and terms often used in discussing law.

1	attorney	n. 1 a person appointed to act for or represent another 2^US lawyer
2	barrister^UK	n. a lawyer who pleads before a superior court
3	brief	n. 1^UK instructions to a barrister - also v. 2^US written statement of facts for a court
4	case	n. statement of the facts in a trial, esp. the argument of one side
5	contract	n. a formal agreement, usually in writing, between two or more parties
6	court of law	n. the place where law cases are hear and decided; court - courtroom n.
7	evidence	n. information presented to a court to prove or support a point in question
8	guilty	*adj.* responsible for wrong; culpable - guilt n. not guilty *adj.*
9	judge	n. public official with authority to hear and decide cases in a court of law - also v.
10	jury	n. a group of people chosen to hear the evidence of a case and give a decision
11	lawsuit	n. a trial at court between two private parties
12	lawyer	n. a person trained in law and who advises or represents others
13	plead	v. 1 to defend a law case 2 to declare oneself to be guilty or not guilty - plea n.
14	sentence	n. 1 decision of a court, esp. as to the punishment 2 the punishment - also v.
15	solicitor	n. 1^UK lawyer advising clients & briefing barristers 2^US law officer for a city etc
16	sue	v. to start legal action against someone in a court of law - lawsuit n.
17	sum up	v. to summarise & review the evidence of a case [said of a judge] - summing up n.
18	trial	n. a formal examination of a case in a court of law - to try v.
19	verdict	n. the formal decision or finding of a judge or jury
20	without prejudice	without detriment or damage to a legal right or claim