Legal Terminology

Lesson Structure: Legal Terminology BWR108

There are 8 lessons:

Scope and Nature of Legal Terminology
Codification
Origin of legal words
Development of Legal Language
The Role of Latin in the Development of Legal Language and Law
Common legal language
Sources of law
Broad Categories of Law
Substantive Vs Procedural Law
Private vs. Public Law
Civil vs. Common Law
Types of Law Administrative Law,
Adversarial (Accusatorial Law)
Civil Law
Constitutional Law
Continental Law
Contract Law
Common Law (English Law)
Criminal or Penal Law
Intellectual Property Law
International Law
Inquisitorial Law
Islamic Law
Property Law
Public Law
Roman Law
Socialist Law
Statute Law
Tort Law
Trust Law
Separation of Powers (Judicial, Legislative, Executive)
Essential Features of the Westminster System
Common legal terms.
The Legal Workplace
People & Processes
Types of Lawyers: Attorney (or Advocate)
Barrister Vs Solicitor
Criminal Defense Lawyers
Corporate Lawyers
Bankruptcy Lawyers
Civil Lawyers
Other specialisations
Court Solicitors
Barristers
Court Agents
Paralegal Professionals
Law courts
Role of courts
Jurisdiction
Judicial Immunity
General jurisdiction
Limited (bounded or special) jurisdiction
Criminal jurisdiction
Monetary jurisdiction
Original jurisdiction
Intermediate Jurisdiction
Appellate jurisdiction
Ancillary jurisdiction
Concurrent jurisdiction
Exclusive jurisdiction
Pendent jurisdiction
Subject matter jurisdiction
Levels of Courts
Appellate Court
Civil Court
Constitutional Court
Article Courts
Circuit Courts
County Court
Court of Assize
Court of Equity
Court of Record
District Court
Family Court
Federal Court
Full Court: (or full bench)
Privy Council
International Court of Justice
International Criminal Court
Juvenile Court
Magistrate’s Court
Open Court
Probate Court
Small Claims Court
Superior Court
Supreme Court
English Court Structure
Dispute Resolution
Legal Systems
Australia, UK, International Law etc.
Common law legal systems
Civil law
Codification of law
Separation of powers
Australian law system
International law, etc.
Contract & Business Law
Nature of Contract
Unilateral contracts
Bilateral contracts
Classes of contract
Formal Contracts
Simple contracts
Validity and enforceability
Agreement
Rules as to offer
Rules as to acceptance of an offer
Revocation of an offer
Rules as to rejection of an offer
Rules as to lapse of an offer
Intention to Create Legal Relations
Consideration
Rules relating to consideration
Lawful Object
Capacity to Contract
Discharge and Conclusion of Contract
Formation of Simple Contract
Property Law
Real Property
Personal Property
Conveyancing
England and Wales, Scotland, USA, Australia
Intellectual Property
Patent, Trademarks, Copyright, Design patent
Confidential information (trade secrets)
Related terminology
Wills, Probate, Estate Law
Estate
Wills
Heirs
Inheritance
Beneficiaries
Probate
Will Requirements (Testamentary intent, Testamentary capacity, Lack of duress, Absence of undue influence, Witnesses)
Trusts
Related terminology
Criminal Law
Social construction
History of punishment
Reasons for Punishment (Rehabilitation, Deterrence/Prevention, Protection of Society/Incapacitation, Restoration, Retribution, Education)
USA - Criminal Law or Penal Law
Australian Criminal Law
Canadian Criminal Law
Tort Law
Classification of Torts (Intentional Tort, Unintentional Tort)
Purpose of Tort Law (Compensation for Damages, Financial Responsibility, Deterrence, Avoiding self-help)
Negligence
Statutory Torts
Nuisance
Defamation
Intentional Torts
Economic Torts
Duty of Care
Breach of Confidence
Causation
Related terms
Other Categories
Family Law (Decree nisi, De facto marriage, Equitable adoption, Adoption by estoppels, Interlocutory decree, Judgement nisi, etc)
Civil Actions
Bankruptcy
Insurance Law
Accidents Compensation
Related terminology.

Learning Goals: Legal Terminology BWR108

Explain the scope and nature of terminology used in law and allied professions.
Identify and describe legal occupations and roles
Compare and contrast different Legal Systems worldwide and discuss the role of International Law
Explain the meaning of Business Law and describe the processes involved in the formation of simple contracts
Explain the meaning of property law and its processes.
Research and explain common terms and processes related to wills, probate, estate law and Trusts.
Investigate and describe the meaning of terms and processes associated with Criminal Law and Torts (Civil Law)
Describe and investigate legal terminology associated with the areas of Family Law, Bankruptcy, Insurance, and Accident Compensation

This course is taught by:

Lee Raye
M.A. (hons) Celtic Studies, (the University of Aberdeen); M.St. Celtic Studies, (the University of Oxford)
Lee is a PhD candidate at Cardiff University with degrees from Aberdeen and Oxford. He has written two books, digitalised another and written several academic papers. He has been interviewed by National Geographic and presented papers at eleven different national and international conferences and seminars. Lee’s native language is English and, if asked, he is always happy to help students with their English spelling and grammar. He is also a keen proponent of the digital revolution and dreams of a world where all books are available instantly to be read, searched or treasured. Although he mainly writes non-fiction, he loves Victorian literature as well as modern fiction and poetry of all kinds. His academic knowledge of medieval events, cultures and the history of Britain’s environment make him especially qualified to help students interested in world building. He is currently finishing off his PhD in wildlife history and tutors the Wildlife Law course.

An understanding of legal terminology is valuable in many different situations; from crime writers who want to be more authentic in their language; to consultants and research staff working in a paralegal or political situation. If you are a writer who needs to work with legal language; this course could be invaluable.