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drafting:legal_words

Essential Legal Words for Legal Drafting

  1. Expedient – To Prioritize , to rush
  2. Cavil – Argument by which a conclusion evidently false , is drawn from a principle evidently true.
  3. Elusive – Difficult to find , catch or achieve.
  4. Scuffle – a short , confused fight or struggle at close quarters.
  5. Credential – a qualification, achievement , quality, or aspect of a person ‘s background , especially when used to indicate their suitability for something.
  6. Oblivious – Aware.
  7. Accustomed – Customary ; usual.
  8. Treacherous – Guilty of or involving betrayal.
  9. Erudite – learned.
  10. Accentuating – More noticeable.
  11. Crescendo – Progressive increase in intensity.
  12. Tedious –Too long , slow or dull.
  13. Dreadful – involving great suffering.
  14. Enigma – Mysterious or difficult to understand.
  15. Sceptical – Doubtful.
  16. Sardonic – grimly mocking or cynical.
  17. Habeas corpus – a prerogative writ to a person who detains another in custody and which commands him to produce or ‘ have the body of that person before him ‘
  18. Mesne – middle, intervening or tame by nature.
  19. Per se – by itself
  20. Nocumentum – an annoying , unpleasant or obnoxious thing or ptactice.
  21. Non obstante – notwithstanding
  22. Prima facie – on the face of it.
  23. Aequitas – Equity i.e fair or just according to natural law.
  24. Bona fide – in good faith.
  25. Certiorari – a writ of a superior court calling forth the records and entire proceedings of an inferior court or a writ by which causes are removed from an inferior court into a superior court.
  26. Obiter dictum – an incidental and collateral opinion uttered by a judge while delivering a judgement and which is not binding.
  27. Pari material – on the same material.
  28. Pendente lite – during the process of litigation.
  29. Supra – above.
  30. Status quo – the state in which the things are , or were.
  31. Volkogeist – general awareness of the people.
  32. Res judicata – a case or suit already decided.
  33. RE – in the matter of.
  34. Ratio Legis – according to spirit of law
  35. Scienter – knowledge ; an allegation in a pleading that the thing has been done knowingly.
  36. Ex gratia –as an act of grace or favour.
  37. In rem – an act , proceeding or right available against the world at large, as opposed to in personam.
  38. Noscitur a socits – a word known by its associates , i.e the meaning of a word cab be gathered from the context.
  39. Res sub judicata – a matter under judicial consideration.
  40. Ad hoc – created or done for a particular purpose as necessary.
  41. Pertinent – Relevant or applicable to a particular matter , apposite.
  42. Curative petition – question arises whether an aggrieved person is entitled to any relief against the final judgment / order of the Supreme Court, after dismissal of a review petition
  43. Erect –rigidly upright or straight.
  44. Advent – arrival of a notable person or thing.
  45. Submergence – to cover ; bury.
  46. Vicinity –the area near or surrounding a particular place.
  47. Detention –the act of detaining someone or the state of being in official custody.
  48. Rebuttable – an instance of rebutting evidence or an accusation.
  49. Preclude – prevent from happening ; make impossible.
  50. Discrepancy – an illogical or surprising lack of compatibility or similarity between two or more facts.
  51. Superannuation – pension paid to a retired employee who has contributed to a superannuation fund.
  52. Ordinance – An authoritative order
  53. Promulgation – to make known by open declaration; publish ; proclaim formally or put into operation.
  54. Consortium – the right of association and companionship with one’s husband or wife
  55. Averred – allege as a fact in support of a plea
  56. Estoppel – the principle which precludes a person from asserting something contrary to what is implied by a previous action or statement of that person or by a previous pertinent judicial determination.
  57. Plenary – unqualified ; absolute
  58. Impugned – dispute the truth , validity or honesty of ( a statement or motive ) ; call into question.
  59. Prejudiced – harm or injury that results or may result from some action or judgement.
  60. Legal Luminary – a person who inspire or influences others , especially one prominent in a particular sphere.
  61. Plagiarized – the act of appropriating the literary composition of another , or parts or passages of his writings , or the ideas or language of the same , and passing them off as the product of one’s own mind.
  62. Evacuee – A person evacuated from a place of danger.
  63. Demarcate – Set the boundaries or limits of.
  64. Unfettered – not confined or restricted
  65. Discernible – able to be discerned ; perceptible.
  66. Arenas – a place or scene of activity , debate , or conflict.
  67. Transgression – An act that goes against a law , or code of conduct ; an offence.
  68. Construed – interpret in a particular way.
  69. Consonance – Agreement or compatibility , between opinions or actions.
  70. Retrospectively – looking back.
  71. Dissuade – persuade not to take a particular course of action.
  72. Rationale – set of reasons.
  73. Embezzlement – Theft or misappropriation of funds placed in one’s trust or belongings to one’s employer.
  74. Perished - die , especially in a violent or sudden way.
  75. Inter alia – among other things


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