​Legal English Vocabulary

​Legal English Vocabulary” presents a snapshot of some key legal English terminology in 10 lessons of around 10 minutes each.

​Legal English Vocabulary


Key legal terminology

Multiple Choice

Students _______ law at University.

• obey

• apply

• study

• break

Multiple Choice

The government ______ laws and _____ them if they are bad.

• makes, repeals

• make, apply

• makes, obeys

• enforces, repeals

Multiple Choice

Courts and judges _____ the law.

• obey

• enforce

• repeal

• apply

Multiple Choice

The police _____ the law.

• obey

• enforce

• apply

• break

Multiple Choice

Law-abiding citizens _____ the law.

• break

• make

• obey

• enforce

Multiple Choice

Offenders ____ the law.

• obey

• break

• apply

• study

Multiple Choice

I'm a _______and I always obey the law?

• offender

• police

• law-abiding citizen

• judge

Multiple Choice

The ____ sentenced her to ninety days in prison.

• harm

• judge

• settle

• security

Multiple Choice

Governments have many ways to ____ that citizens obey the law.

• apply

• settle

• ensure

• security

Multiple Choice

The first duty of the state is to ensure the ____ of law-abiding citizens.

• security

• harm

• property

• violent

Multiple Choice

If you break the law, you may go to _____.

• harm

• settle

• judge

• prison

Multiple Choice

The old woman died without making a ____.

• guilt

• mistakes

• will

• business

Multiple Choice

Judges are human and they can make _____.

• mistakes

• protects

• punish

• enforce

Multiple Choice

This Act ____ people from dangerous dogs.

• guilt

• enforces

• punishes

• protects

Multiple Choice

It is against the law to ____ an offender twice for the same crime.

• enforce

• protect

• make

• punish

Multiple Choice

Only courts can establish ____ and innocence.

• mistake

• will

• guilt

• law

Multiple Choice

Courts apply the law or ____ guilt or innocence.

• enforce

• punish

• establish

• break

Multiple Choice

What is the word for the study of law?

• Jurisprudence

• Amicus Curiae

• ceteris paribus

• arbitration

Multiple Choice

If a civil case goes to court, what is the name for the person who sues someone else?

• Prosecution

• Plaintiff

• Torter

• Defendant

Multiple Choice

If a civil case goes to court, what is the name for the person who is being sued?

• Prosecution

• Plaintiff

• Torter

• Defendant

Multiple Choice

What is the type of civil liability done by accident?

• Intentional

• Negligence

• Strict Liability

• Criminal

Multiple Choice

What is the type of civil liability done on purpose?

• Intentional

• Negligence

• Strict Liability

• Criminal

Multiple Choice

Bill keeps a tiger in his back yard. One night, the tiger get loose and eats a little girl. In which of the following situations will Bill be held liable?

• The tiger was let loose by a kid as a joke

• Bill forgot to close his gate

• The little girl came into Bill's backyard

• all of the above

Multiple Choice

A private or civil wrong.

• Duty 
• Tort
• Fraud
• Defamation

Multiple Choice

90% of civil cases are

• taken to trial.
• settled.
• stuck in pre-trial motions.
• difficult to get to mediation.

Multiple Choice

This is a monetary award intended to compensate the injured party for the harm done to him or her. 

• Tort
• damages
• master-servant rule
• negligence 

Multiple Choice

A person required to answer legal action or lawsuit.

• judge
• defendant
• plaintiff
• attorney

Multiple Choice

What is the phrase used when multiple people bring their lawsuits together against a defendant?

• Class Action Lawsuit

• Deep Pockets

• Group suits

• Zoot Suits