Common Legal Words You Should Know

Legal words are like a whole different language. You've probably seen words like "plaintiff," "affidavit," or "liable" and wondered, "What in the world does that mean?" Don't worry, you are not alone. Legal words can be confusing for most people, especially when you see them in contracts, court, or government papers. The truth is, you don't need to be a lawyer to understand the basics. Learning a few basic legal words can help you make smart choices, protect yourself, and stay out of trouble. Here, we will explain some common legal words you might probably come across in daily life, business, or when dealing with the government.

1.  Plaintiff and Defendant

You hear these two words a lot in court.

Plaintiff: This is the person who starts a lawsuit. They are the one making a complaint.

Defendant: This is the person being sued or accused.

For instance, when someone sues you for rent arrears, the person suing you is the plaintiff, and you are the defendant.

2.  Affidavit

An affidavit is a written statement you swear is true. It is often used instead of speaking in court. It is like saying, "I swear this is the truth," and then signing your name to it. But since you swear it is true, lying on an affidavit can get you into serious legal trouble.

3.  Liable

If you are liable, it means you are legally responsible for something. For example, if someone falls and gets hurt in your shop because the floor was slippery, you might be legally responsible for their injury. Meaning, you might have to pay for their medical bills.

4.  Contract

A contract is a written or spoken agreement between two or more people that is legally binding. It means everyone involved has to do what they promised. For instance, when you rent a home, you are signing a rental contract. If you don't pay rent, the landlord can take action based on the contract.

5.  Breach of Contract

This happens when someone fails to do what they promised in a contract. For instance, you hired a person to build a website and they didn't, this is a breach of contract.

6.  Negligence

Negligence is when someone doesn't take enough care, and that causes harm to another person. For instance, a driver texting and causing an accident could be considered negligent.

7.  Subpoena

A subpoena is an official court order telling you to show up in court or bring certain documents. If you don't obey, you could face penalties. For instance, if you are a witness in a case, the court might send you a subpoena to come and testify.

8.  Appeal

If you disagree with a court's decision, you can appeal. Meaning, you ask a higher court to look at the case again. You can't appeal every decision, and appeals can take a long time. But they offer people a second chance if something went wrong in the first trial.

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9.  Settlement

A settlement is when two sides in a lawsuit agree to resolve their dispute without going to trial or even during a trial. For instance, if someone sues you for ₦1 million and you agree to pay ₦500,000 to end the lawsuit, that's a settlement.

10. Testimony

Testimony is what a witness says or shows as proof in court. It can be spoken or written, and it must be true. Your statement helps the judge to figure out what happened. Perjury is lying when you have sworn to tell the truth, and it is a serious crime.

11. Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction is a court's authority to hear and decide a case. For instance, a local court can't hear a case that happened in a different state. That case belongs in a different court's jurisdiction.

12. Indemnity

This means one person agrees to cover another person's losses or damages. For example, in many service agreements, you will see a line saying one party "indemnifies" the other this just means if something goes wrong, one party agrees to pay for the damages.

13. Notary Public

A notary public is someone officially allowed to watch you sign legal papers and confirm who you are. If you are signing an important legal paper, like a will or land deed, you might need to sign it in front of a notary.

14. Will and Testament

A will is a document that says what happens to your money, land, or belongings after you pass away. It can also name who will take care of your children. Having a will ensures your wishes are followed and can prevent family arguments.

15. Legal Guardian

A guardian is someone officially in charge of caring for another person usually a child or an adult who can not care for themselves. Courts usually appoint guardians when necessary, like if a parent passes away or can no longer care for their child.

You don’t have to be a lawyer to know your rights. Many people sign contracts or make agreements without truly understanding what the papers mean, that’s risky. Others ignore official notices or court documents because they feel stressed out.

By learning simple legal words, you'll be able to:

• Read papers confidently

• Know what questions to ask

•  Figure out when to get a lawyer's help

• Steer clear of common legal problems

Knowing legal words puts you in a stronger position whether you are starting a business, renting a home, making a will, or dealing with a lawsuit. Legal talk don't t have to be scary. The more you know, the more at ease you will be when handling legal things. Start by remembering the words in this article. Next time you see "breach of contract" or "liable," you will know exactly what they mean. And if you are unsure, don't hesitate to ask questions or get help. Lawyers and legal professionals are there to help but you will be better off if you understand the basics yourself.