Basic Legal Vocabulary

Question 1

damages (n.)

Answer 1

(plural, uncountable) Money that the losing side in a lawsuit must pay to the winning side to make up for losses or injuries.

Question 2

There are several kinds of damages:

Answer 2

1 & 2

Question 3

compensatory - US (or compensatory - UK)

Answer 3

meaning money to pay for the actual cost of an injury or loss

Question 4

punitive (usually US) or exemplary (usually UK)

Answer 4

meaning an amount of money that’s more than the actual damages - punishment for willful or malicious acts. Punitive damages, also commonly called in English exemplary damages, are designed to punish, not to compensate. In general, punitive damages are awarded for socially deplorable conduct, such as fraud or malicious, reckless, or abusive action.

Question 5

example punitive damages

Answer 5

She is suing the newspaper for $5 million punitive damages, claiming they knew the article about her was untrue.

Question 6

example damages

Answer 6

As he often does, Bush suggested that limiting non-economic damages would sharply reduce health care costs for most Americans. Analysis by the Congressional Budget Office found that legislation capping damage awards to $250,000 would lower physician malpractice premiums by 25 percent to 30 percent. n.b. (US) damage (not damages) award

Question 7

decision (n.)

Answer 7

A court’s judgment or decree that settles a dispute. — see judgment

Question 8

descison (n.) (e.g.)

Answer 8

The decision upholds the second-degree murder conviction of a Los Angeles County man who was 17 at the time of the crime.

Question 9

defendant (n.)

Answer 9

In a civil case, the person or organization sued by the plaintiff or claimant. In a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.

Question 10

defendant (n.) (e.g.)

Answer 10

Those of us who practise in the criminal courts are aware of the adverse feeling which can be generated against a defendant before a trial starts.

Question 11

defence UK defense US n. (countable)

Answer 11

the things that are said in a court of law to prove that someone is not guilty of a crime

Question 12

defence (n.) (e.g.)

Answer 12

One of his defences was that he had been provoked. (to try to make a person angry or cause reaction)

Question 13

the defence UK defense US(n.)

Answer 13

the lawyers working for the defendant

Question 14

the defence UK defense US (n.) (e.g.)

Answer 14

The defence proved that he could not have been present at the scene of the crime. A witness for the defence provided an alibi.

Question 15

dissent (n.) (US)

Answer 15

A judge’s disagreement with the majority of the court. Appellate court cases are heard by a panel of judges which can vary in number depending on the jurisdiction. A judge who disagrees with the majority ruling

Question 16

dissent (n.) (e.g.)

Answer 16

The judge wrote a dissent explaining why she disagreed with the majority ruling.

Question 17

Dissent (v.)

Answer 17

for a judge, to disagree with the majority of the judges on the court

Question 18

Dissent (v.) (e.g.)

Answer 18

The judge chose to dissent from the majority opinion in the court’s final ruling.

Question 19

dock (the) (UK) (n.)

Answer 19

an enclosure in a court of law where the defendant sits during the trial

Question 20

dock (the) (UK) (n.) (e.g.)

Answer 20

The defendant seemed nervous as he left the dock and stepped up to the witness box.

Question 21

duty (n.)

Answer 21

work that you are obliged to perform for moral or legal reasons

Question 22

duty (n.) (e.g.)

Answer 22

Every lawyer has a strong sense of duty and responsibility.

Question 23

duty (tax)

Answer 23

a tax on imports imposed by the customs authority of a country

Question 24

duty (tax) (e.g.)

Answer 24

Generally, non-European Union nationals are permitted 200 cigarettes, duty-free. (invoerrechten)