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ENGLISH FOR LAW

ENGLISH FOR LAW. Legal Terms and Abbreviations. Importance of English in law. It is the main language used around the world not only for teaching law, but also for practice Works as ‘Tool of trade’ for lawyers Mastery in vocabulary helps lawyers greatly when it comes to legal matters

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ENGLISH FOR LAW

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  1. ENGLISH FOR LAW Legal Terms and Abbreviations

  2. Importance of English in law • It is the main language used around the world not only for teaching law, but also for practice • Works as ‘Tool of trade’ for lawyers • Mastery in vocabulary helps lawyers greatly when it comes to legal matters • Understand legal materials easily and quickly, thus saves time • Textbooks, cases, statutes and journals are mostly in English and having sound command in the language makes jobs fast.

  3. The use of Latin in legal language • The use of Latin in legal texts has been popular since time immemorial • Certain legal terms has been given specific Latin terms to connote certain meaning • E.g. loco parentis (in the place of the parent) • Actusreus (guilty act) • Mensrea (guilty mind) • Obiter dictum (saying by the way) • Ratio decidendi (reasons for the decision), a remark or observation made by a judge that, although included in the body of the court's opinion, does not form a necessary part of the court's decision

  4. Decline in the use of Latin • In Malaysia and many parts of the world, there has been a move to depart from usage of Latin in legal texts • Some Latin concepts are difficult to be expressed in native tongue • Latin terms are being replaced by plain English

  5. Legal Abbreviations • Use of abbreviations in law is very popular • For example, • CJ (refers to Chief Justice) • LJ (Lord Justice) • JCA (Judge of the Court of Appeal) • FCJ (Federal Court Judge) • Reference to dictionary or abbreviation guidebook should assist for understanding

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