definition Flashcards
law
système of rules that people follow in a society or country
a fine or jail
penalties
civil law
disagreements between private individuals (=common law)
criminal law
is concerned with crime and the punishment of criminals
property law
sets out the right and obligations when you buy or rent homes and buildings
contract law
sets rules on agreements to buy and sell items and services
trust law
rules for money put in an investment for example pensions
tort law
helps people to make claims for compensation when someone hurts them or damages their property
Constitutional law
laws on how different levels of government can act on human right
administrative law
when ordinary citizens want to challenge decisions made by government
international law
sets the rules on how countries connect in areas such as trade, the environment or military action
an attorney (US)
a solicitor (UK)
a counsel (US)
a barrister (UK)
a case
a legal action
Queen’s counsel
a senior barrister appointed by the Crown
legal adviser
someone employed by a firm to help settle legal matters
clerk to the justices
a lawyer with at least five years standing appointed to assist magistrates in court
Crown prosecutor
those responsible for prosecuting in the lower courts (magistrates courts)
duty solicitor
a lawyer who appears in lower courts to assist defendant who would otherwise be unrepresented
justice of the peace
someone whose principal function is to sit as a magistrate in the magistrates courts
attorney general
in UK : the principal law officer of the Crown
in USA : the minister of Justice
summary offence
minor offence that is tried in magistrates’ court
indictable offence
serious offence that is tried by jury in the Crown Court
offence triable either way
middle category offences, neither minor nor extremely serious