Legal English Advanced 1

a circumstance or obstacle that keeps people or things apart or prevents communication or progress: a language barrier | the cultural barriers to economic growth

give legal or constitutional form to (an institution); establish by law. the superior courts were constituted by the Judicature Acts 1873–5

Contact between to parties, which are domiciled in two different countries

reach a climax or point of highest development: weeks of violence culminated in the brutal murder of a magistrate

(derogate from) deviate from (a set of rules or agreed form of behaviour): one country has derogated from the Rome Convention

include or contain (something) as a constituent part: the changes in law embodied in the Children Act.

involve (something) as a necessary or inevitable part or consequence: a situation which entails considerable risks; Law limit the inheritance of (property) over a number of generations so that ownership remains within a particular family or group

a thing with distinct and independent existence: Church and empire were fused in a single entity.

unforeseeable circumstances that prevent someone from fulfilling a contract

also known as business law, is the body of law that applies to the rights, relations, and conduct of persons and businesses engaged in global commerce, merchandising, trade, and sales.

listen to and judge (a case or plaintiff): an all-woman jury heard the case

an official order or commission to do something: a mandate to seek the release of political prisoners. • Law a commission by which a party is entrusted to perform a service, especially without payment and with indemnity against loss by that party

Natural law is a philosophy that certain rights or values are inherent by virtue of human nature, and universally cognizable through human reason.

the basic or inherent features, character, or qualities of something: helping them to realize the nature of their problems | there are a lot of other documents of that nature.

exploiting immediate opportunities, especially regardless of planning or principle

the introductory part of a statute or deed, stating its purpose, aims, and justification.

the basic material from which a product is made

made necessary by particular circumstances or regulations: the application will not be processed until the requisite fee is paid

an area of activity, interest, or expertise; a section of society or an aspect of life distinguished and unified by a particular characteristic. "political reforms to match those in the economic sphere"

without opposition; with the agreement of all people involved: a committee of MPs has unanimously agreed to back his bill.

An organized and systematic collection of rules of jurisprudence; as, particularly, the body of the civil law, or corpus juris civilis.

a written grant by the sovereign or legislative power of a country, by which a body such as a borough, company, or university is created or its rights and privileges defined

To put laws or rules into a systematic code (law book)

Also called private international law. Aims to solve disputes involving private individuals and business entities from different legal jurisdictions.

an agreement between states covering particular matters, especially one less formal than a treaty. the convention, signed by the six states bordering on the Black Sea, aims to prevent further pollution

1. according to the customs or usual practices associated with a particular society, place, or set of circumstances: it is customary to mark an occasion like this with a toast 2. Law established by or based on custom rather than common law or statute

An association of countries which have agreed to allow free trade within the association and use the same external tariffs for non-members

a moral or legal obligation; a responsibility: it's my duty to uphold the law | she was determined to do her duty as a citizen

compel observance of or compliance with (a law, rule, or obligation): the role of the police is to enforce the law

give (a right, power, property, etc.) formally or legally to someone

put (a decision, plan, agreement, etc.) into effect: the scheme to implement student loans

Violation of a law or a right

occurring or existing between different branches or departments of government

the official power to make legal decisions and judgements: the English court had no jurisdiction over the defendants

The exclusive right to utilise an invention, which is a granted by a sovereign state to a patent owner for a limited period of time

Between more than two groups of people or two countries

Commonly accepted standards of behaviour or manner of doing things

A form of intellectual property where a sovereign state grants an inventor exclusive rights to their invention

Body of law dealing with disputes between private persons living in different jurisdictions and governing such things as applicable law, jurisdiction and enforcement of judgements (also called conflict of laws)