Law & Judiciary Corner
Important Legal Terms Every Law Student and Exam Candidate Should Know
Law exams for judicial posts and the bar are full of terms from Latin and English law. Knowing them clearly improves your answers and your confidence. Here is a short list of terms you will meet again and again, with simple meanings.
Everyday court terms
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| FIR | First Information Report: the first written report of a cognisable offence given to the police |
| Bail | Temporary release of an accused person during the case on a guarantee to appear in court |
| Plaintiff | The person who files a civil suit |
| Defendant | The person against whom a civil suit is filed |
| Complainant | The person who makes a criminal complaint |
| Summons | An order of the court calling a person to appear |
| Warrant | A written order of the court to arrest a person or search a place |
| Decree | The formal expression of a civil court's decision |
| Judgment | The statement of reasons and findings of the court |
Latin terms
- Habeas corpus: a writ that orders a detained person to be brought before the court so that the legality of detention can be examined.
- Mens rea: the guilty mind, the intention needed for most crimes.
- Actus reus: the guilty act.
- Sub judice: a matter that is under consideration by a court.
- Res judicata: a matter already decided by a competent court cannot be tried again between the same parties.
- Locus standi: the right to bring a case before the court.
- Ultra vires: beyond one's legal power or authority.
- Prima facie: at first sight, on the face of it.
- Bona fide: in good faith.
- Ex parte: a decision made when one party is absent.
Writs in the Constitution
- Habeas corpus (against illegal detention)
- Mandamus (a command to perform a public duty)
- Prohibition (orders a lower court not to go beyond its jurisdiction)
- Certiorari (calls up a case of a lower court to quash an illegal decision)
- Quo warranto (asks by what authority a person holds a public office)
How to learn them
Write each term on a small card with the meaning and one example on the back. Revise five cards a day. In exams, use the correct term in your answer: it shows that you understand the subject.
Which legal term confused you the most? Write it in the comments and we will explain it with an example.
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