Legal System Vocabulary in English
20 essential courtroom and legal process words with definitions and examples — ideal for B2–C1 learners, law students, and English for Academic Purposes.
The legal system has its own highly specialised vocabulary. Whether you are studying English for Academic Purposes, preparing for IELTS or OET, working in a legal environment, or simply want to understand news reports about court cases, a working knowledge of legal vocabulary is extremely valuable.
This page covers 20 core terms from the English legal system — the vocabulary of courtrooms, trials, and legal procedures. These words appear in legal dramas, newspaper reports, academic texts, and international legal documents. Many of these terms are derived from Latin and have very precise meanings that differ significantly from their everyday uses.
Note that legal systems vary between countries. The vocabulary here reflects general usage in common-law systems (England, Wales, the United States, Australia, Canada), but the words are recognised internationally and used in global legal contexts.
For broader legal and crime vocabulary at B1–B2 level, also see our Law & Crime page.
Word List
| Word | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| attorney | a lawyer qualified to represent clients in court (chiefly US) | The attorney presented the case to the jury. |
| verdict | the official decision made by a jury or judge in a court case | The jury returned a verdict of not guilty. |
| defendant | the person accused of a crime or sued in a civil case | The defendant denied all charges. |
| plaintiff | the person who brings a legal case against another in a civil court | The plaintiff is seeking compensation for damages. |
| evidence | information and material presented to prove or disprove facts in court | The prosecution presented new evidence at the trial. |
| testimony | a formal statement made by a witness under oath in court | Her testimony was crucial to the defence's case. |
| acquit | to officially declare that someone is not guilty of a crime | The jury acquitted him of all charges. |
| convict | to officially find someone guilty of a criminal offence | She was convicted of fraud and sentenced to two years. |
| appeal | a formal request to a higher court to review and change a lower court's decision | The defence team lodged an appeal against the sentence. |
| bail | money paid to release an accused person from custody until trial | The judge set bail at fifty thousand pounds. |
| custody | the state of being kept in prison or under police control before trial | The suspect was held in custody overnight. |
| fine | a sum of money paid as a penalty for breaking a law | He received a heavy fine for speeding. |
| sentence | the punishment given by a court after a guilty verdict | The judge passed a sentence of four years in prison. |
| parole | early release from prison on the condition of good behaviour | She was granted parole after serving half her sentence. |
| probation | a period of supervision as an alternative to imprisonment | He was placed on probation for eighteen months. |
| statute | a written law passed by a legislative body | The statute was amended by Parliament last year. |
| injunction | a court order requiring someone to do or stop doing something | The court issued an injunction preventing publication. |
| subpoena | a legal order requiring a person to appear in court or produce documents | The witness was served with a subpoena to testify. |
| precedent | a previous court decision used as a guide for future similar cases | The ruling set a precedent for all future cases of this type. |
| jurisdiction | the official power of a court or authority to make legal decisions in a given area | This case falls outside the jurisdiction of this court. |
Practice with These Exercises
Flash Cards
Review legal vocabulary with spaced repetition
Wordsearch
Find legal system words hidden in the grid
Anagram
Unscramble the letters to spell each legal term
Hangman
Guess the legal word letter by letter
Practice What You've Learned
LexFizz has 30 free interactive exercises — no sign-up needed.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a defendant and a plaintiff?
In a civil case, the plaintiff is the person who starts the legal action — they are making a claim. The defendant is the person being sued or accused — they must respond to the claim. In a criminal case, the defendant is the person charged with a crime. There is no plaintiff in a criminal case; instead, the prosecution represents the state or government.
What is the difference between acquit and convict?
These are opposite outcomes of a trial. To acquit means the court finds the defendant not guilty — they are free to go. To convict means the court finds the defendant guilty — they will then receive a sentence. Both are verb forms: "The jury acquitted her." "He was convicted of murder."
What is the difference between parole and probation?
Parole is early release from prison — the person has already served part of their sentence and is released under supervision. Probation is a sentence that avoids prison altogether — the person remains in the community but under supervision and must meet certain conditions. Both can be revoked if conditions are violated.
How do you pronounce subpoena?
Subpoena is pronounced sub-PEE-nah. The b is not silent, but the word is often confused because the spelling looks unusual. It comes from Latin meaning "under penalty." In legal writing it can also appear as two words: sub poena. The plural is subpoenas.
What does it mean to "set a precedent"?
To set a precedent means that a court decision becomes the standard that guides future decisions in similar cases. In common-law systems, courts are generally bound to follow precedents set by higher courts — this is the doctrine of stare decisis. "This verdict sets a dangerous precedent" means the decision could be used to justify similar rulings in future.
What is the difference between a statute and a law?
All statutes are laws, but not all laws are statutes. A statute is specifically a written law passed by a legislative body (Parliament, Congress, etc.). Law is a broader term that also includes common law (developed through court decisions) and regulations. Statute is the more precise legal term used in formal contexts.
What is the difference between attorney and lawyer?
In common usage, the terms are often used interchangeably. However, attorney (more common in American English) specifically refers to someone who is authorised to act on another person's behalf — including in court. Lawyer is a more general term for anyone trained in law. In British English, solicitor and barrister are the more common specific terms.
Does legal vocabulary appear in IELTS?
Yes. IELTS Reading passages frequently cover legal topics such as human rights, criminal justice, and court cases. Listening Section 4 may include academic lectures on law. Speaking Part 3 may ask about crime, punishment, and the justice system. Words like verdict, evidence, sentence, and appeal are all relevant.
What is an injunction used for?
An injunction is a court order that either requires someone to take a specific action (mandatory injunction) or prohibits them from doing something (prohibitory injunction). Common examples: a company might obtain an injunction to prevent a competitor from using its trademark; a domestic abuse victim might obtain an injunction preventing contact by an abuser.
What is the best way to learn legal vocabulary in English?
Read English-language court reports, legal news articles, and listen to legal drama podcasts or watch courtroom documentaries in English. Use Flash Cards to memorise these 20 terms, then revisit them in context. For law students, reading actual case summaries in English is the most effective method for deep retention of legal vocabulary.