Academic IELTS Words for "Law"

amendment

noun

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a formal change, addition, or alteration made to a law, contract, constitution, or other legal document

Example

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The proposed amendment to the constitution aims to guarantee equal rights for all citizens.

Congress passed an amendment to the tax code to close loopholes and increase revenue.

decree

noun

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an official authoritative decision or judgment, especially one made by a government or the ruler of a country

statute

noun

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an officially written and established law

What is a "statute"?

A statute is a written law enacted by a legislative body, such as a parliament or congress. It establishes legal rules and regulations that must be followed within a particular area or region. Statutes are created through a formal process of drafting, debating, and voting, and they address various aspects of public and private life, including criminal conduct, civil rights, and administrative procedures. Once passed, a statute has the force of law and must be adhered to by individuals and institutions within the area it governs.

prosecutor

noun

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a legal official who represents the state in criminal proceedings and brings charges against individuals or organizations suspected of breaking the law

attorney

noun

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a lawyer who represents someone in a court of law

solicitor

noun

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(in the UK) a lawyer who is entitled to give legal advice, prepare legal documents for contracts and defend people in lower courts of law

plaintiff

noun

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a person who brings a lawsuit against someone else in a court

defendant

noun

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a person in a law court who is sued by someone else or is accused of committing a crime

plaintiff

conviction

noun

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n

a formal declaration by which someone is found guilty of a crime in a court of law

acquittal

verdict

noun

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an official decision made by the jury in a court after the legal proceedings

bail

noun

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eɪ

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an amount of money that must be paid in order for someone who is accused of a crime to be released until their trial

jury duty

noun

/dʒˈʊɹi dˈuːɾi/

a civic obligation requiring individuals to serve as members of a jury in a court of law

probation

noun

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n

(law) a specific supervised period of time outside prison granted to a criminal, given they do not break a law during this period

What is "probation"?

Probation is a court-ordered period during which a person found guilty of a crime is allowed to remain in the community instead of serving time in prison, under certain conditions. These conditions may include regular check-ins with a probation officer, attending counseling, maintaining employment, or avoiding further criminal activity. If the individual follows the rules, they may avoid jail time, but failure to comply with probation conditions can result in more serious penalties, including imprisonment. Probation is often used for less severe offenses or when the court believes the person can be rehabilitated outside of prison.

clemency

noun

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to mercy or leniency shown by a person or authority, typically in granting forgiveness or lessening the severity of a punishment

to vindicate

Verb

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to clear someone from blame or suspicion and prove their innocence

Grammatical Information:

transitive

to overrule

Verb

/ˈoʊvɝˌɹuɫ/

to use one's official or political authority to change or reject a previously made decision

Grammatical Information:

transitive

to pass

Verb

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æ

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to make or accept a law by voting or by decree

Grammatical Information:

transitive

to intervene

Verb

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to become a party in a lawsuit because of a vested interest in the outcome

Grammatical Information:

intransitive

to amend

Verb

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ɛ

n

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to make changes or additions to a document, law, contract, or similar text in order to correct or update it

Grammatical Information:

transitive

to prosecute

Verb

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to try to charge someone officially with a crime in a court as the lawyer of the accuser

defend

Grammatical Information:

transitive

to acquit

Verb

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to officially decide and declare in a law court that someone is not guilty of a crime

convict

Grammatical Information:

transitive

to outlaw

Verb

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to officially state that something is illegal

legalize

Grammatical Information:

transitive

to validate

Verb

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to confirm or verify the legality or legitimacy of something, typically a document, contract, or action

invalidate

Grammatical Information:

transitive

arbitration

noun

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n

a process where parties resolve disputes through a neutral third party

citation

noun

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aɪ

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n

a reference to a specific legal source, like a law or court case, used to support arguments or statements in legal documents and writings

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