In the world of law, having a grasp of legal terminology in multiple languages can be incredibly beneficial, especially for those practicing or studying law in a global context. French, being one of the official languages in many international legal institutions, is particularly important. Here, we explore essential legal French vocabulary that attorneys and law students should familiarize themselves with.
Avocat – Lawyer or Attorney.
Il est important de consulter un avocat avant de signer des documents légaux.
This refers to a legal professional authorized to represent clients in legal proceedings.
Plaideur – Litigator.
Le plaideur a fait un excellent travail pour présenter le cas au juge.
A litigator specializes in taking legal action against people and organizations.
Magistrat – Magistrate.
Le magistrat a pris une décision rapide dans cette affaire.
This term denotes a judicial officer with limited authority to administer and enforce the law.
Jurisprudence – Case Law.
La jurisprudence précédente a joué un rôle clé dans le verdict du tribunal.
Case law refers to the collection of past legal decisions written by courts and similar tribunals.
Plaidoirie – Pleading.
La plaidoirie de l’avocat était très convaincante.
Pleading is a formal statement of the cause of an action or defense.
Conseil juridique – Legal advice.
Il est nécessaire de recevoir un conseil juridique avant d’engager une procédure judiciaire.
Legal advice involves the giving of a formal opinion regarding the substance or procedure of the law.
Contrat – Contract.
Le contrat entre les deux parties a été signé hier.
A contract is an agreement between two or more parties creating mutual obligations enforceable by law.
Droit civil – Civil Law.
Le droit civil traite des litiges entre individus et organisations.
Civil law is the system of law concerned with private relations between members of a community rather than criminal, military, or religious affairs.
Infraction – Offense.
L’accusé a été reconnu coupable de l’infraction.
An offense is a breach of a law or rule; an illegal act.
Tribunal – Court.
L’affaire sera jugée au tribunal municipal.
A court is an institution that the government sets up to settle disputes through a legal process.
Procureur – Prosecutor.
Le procureur a présenté les preuves à la cour.
A prosecutor is a legal representative of the prosecution in countries with either the common law adversarial system or the civil law inquisitorial system.
Verdict – Verdict.
Le verdict sera rendu par le jury demain.
A verdict is a decision on a disputed issue in a civil or criminal case or an inquest.
Loi – Law.
La nouvelle loi entrera en vigueur à partir de janvier.
Law refers to the system of rules that a particular country or community recognizes as regulating the actions of its members.
Accusation – Charge.
L’accusation contre l’individu a été rejetée faute de preuves.
A charge is a formal accusation that someone has committed a criminal offense.
Défenseur – Defender.
Le défenseur a argumenté que son client n’était pas sur les lieux du crime.
A defender in legal terms is an individual, lawyer, or institution that defends someone in a trial.
Appel – Appeal.
L’appel a été accepté par la cour supérieure.
An appeal is a process for requesting a formal change to an official decision.
Sentence – Sentence.
La sentence de cinq ans de prison a été prononcée par le juge.
In legal terms, a sentence is the punishment assigned to a defendant found guilty by a court.
Testament – Will.
Le testament a été lu en présence de tous les bénéficiaires.
A will is a legal document by which a person expresses their wishes as to how their property is to be distributed at death.
These terms provide a foundational vocabulary for anyone engaged in French legal contexts, enhancing both understanding and communication in a professional setting.
