| attorney |
n. 1 a person who acts for or represents another in business or legal matters 2US lawyer |
| An attorney will be appointed to represent you in court. |
| barristerUK |
n. a lawyer who pleads before a superior court |
| In the UK barristers still wear wigs in court, don't they? |
| brief |
n. 1UK instructions to a barrister - also v. 2US written statement of facts |
| My first brief was to defend a young man accused of stealing a bicycle. |
| case |
n. statement of the facts in a trial, esp. the argument of one side |
| The prosecutor built a really strong case and the defendant was found guilty. |
| contract |
n. a formal agreement, usually in writing, between two or more parties |
| Before signing the contract, get a lawyer to check it for you. |
| court of law |
n. the place where law cases are heard and decided; court - courtroom n. |
| There's a special court of law for corruption and bribery cases. |
| defendant |
n. person or organization facing a criminal charge or other legal proceeding - defend v. |
| After being found not guilty, the defendant hugged his defence lawyer. |
| evidence |
n. information presented to a court to prove or support a point in question |
| Have the police got any forensic evidence like fingerprints, hair or DNA? |
| guilty |
adj. responsible for wrong; culpable - guilt n. not guilty adj. |
| Do you think the jury will find the defendant guilty? |
| judge |
n. official with authority to hear and decide cases in a court of law - also v. |
| Everyone stood when the judge entered the courtroom. |
| jury |
n. a group of people chosen to hear the evidence of a case and give a decision |
| After deliberating for two days, the jury still hadn't reached a verdict. |
| lawsuit |
n. a trial at court between two private parties |
| Many parents brought class-action lawsuits against the company for selling dangerous toys. |
| lawyer |
n. a person trained in law and who advises or represents others |
| After his neighbour refused to keep his dogs quiet, Jim asked a lawyer about taking legal action. |
| plead |
v. 1 to defend a law case 2 to declare oneself to be guilty or not guilty - plea n. |
| If you plead not guilty, your case will be heard in court. |
| prosecutor |
n. 1 a lawyer, often a public official, who can file charges and try to prove a defendant's guilt in court - prosecute v. |
| The prosecutor has charged the former Prime Minister with several corruption-related offences. |
| sentence |
n. 1 decision of a court, esp. as to the punishment 2 the punishment - also v. |
| Our nephew is serving a three-year prison sentence for robbery. |
| solicitor |
n. 1UK lawyer advising clients and briefing barristers 2US law officer for a city etc |
| Can you recommend a good solicitor for drawing up a will? |
| sue |
v. to start legal action against someone in a court of law - lawsuit n. |
| Tanya's family sued the hospital for negligence after she'd been given the wrong medicine. |
| sum up |
v. to summarise and review the evidence of a case - summing up n. |
| It took the prosecutor quite a while to sum up the case against the defendant. |
| trial |
n. a formal examination of a case in a court of law - to try v. |
| Anyone can sit in the court's public gallery and watch a trial. |
| verdict |
n. the formal decision or finding of a judge or jury |
| After hearing the jury's verdict, the defendant's relatives cried and hugged one another. |
| without prejudice |
without detriment or damage to a legal right or claim |
| You can plead guilty to one charge without prejudice to any other charges you're facing. |