Word of the Week: Merger

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 […]

Word of the Week: Discrimination (noun)

Informed consent (noun) Definition: The acceptance or permission given with full awareness or knowledge of the possible consequences. Example: The doctor explained the treatment and the patient gave her informed consent to it. This word features in Episode 23 of the Study Legal English Podcast.

Construction (Noun) Definition: The process by which a judge first interprets the words of a legal text such as an Act, and then translates this meaning into legal rules. The corresponding verb is ‘to construe’. Example: The judge took a purposive approach in his construction of Section 2 of the Act. The judge construed Section 2 […]

Word of the Week: Conciliation (noun)

Word of the Week: Statement of Case (noun) Study Legal English Word of the Week: Statement of Case Definition: A written statement, drafted by counsel, in which a party sets out its case for civil litigation or in other words sets out the material facts, which are facts essential to the party’s claim or defence that […]