Word of the Week: Constitution

Ratify (Verb) Definition: To approve of a treaty by a head or state or head of state and legislature. This process varies from country to country and may require a referendum or an Act of Parliament. Example: After ratifying the treaty it became binding on the state. This word features in Episode 36 of the Study Legal […]

Fee (noun) Definition: A fee is an amount charged or paid for a service. Example: Some people complain that legal fees are too high. Note: Be careful, do not confuse ‘fee’ with ‘fine’. A fine is an amount charged and payable upon conviction of an offence as punishment. This word features in Episode 19 of […]

Word of the Week: Gavel (noun)

Word of the Week: Herein (adverb) Definition: As a general rule this means ‘here in this document’. It can cause ambiguity as it can be unclear if you mean the whole of the document or only part of it, for example a specific section. TIP!: This is considered as legalese. Good modern drafting and legal writing […]

Bind (Verb) Definition: To make someone follow something, to ‘glue’ someone to a way of doing something. For example, due to the doctrine of precedent, judges are bound to follow decisions made in similar cases. Another example is that Parliament cannot bind its successors and cannot be bound by its predecessors. Example: The UK”s referendum on remaining […]