Basic Concepts in Law School

Legal jargon can look overwhelming upon first glance but here we will explain some of the common terms you might come across in law school or in some legal movies and shows.

Mens Rea — Latin for “guilty mind”, the intent behind a criminal act.

Actus Reus — Latin for “guilty act”, the physical act of committing a crime.

Subpoena — A legal document ordering someone to appear in court or produce evidence.

Affidavit — A written statement sworn to be true, used as evidence in court.

Litigation — The process of taking legal action or going through a lawsuit.

Jurisdiction — The authority a court has to hear a case, usually based on location or type of case.

Precedent — A past court decision that future courts follow in similar cases.

Statute — A law written and passed by a legislative body.

Burden of proof — The duty to prove a claim in court, it is on the prosecution in criminal trials.

Pro Bono — Legal work done for free, usually to help those who cannot afford a lawyer.

Perjury — Lying under oath which is a serious crime in court.

Ultra Vires — Latin for “beyond the powers”; when a government or company acts outside of their legal authority.

Common Law — Law developed through court decisions, not written statutes.

Restorative Justice — An approach to law which focuses on repairing harm rather than punishing offenders.

Legal Aid — Free or low-cost legal help for people who cannot afford a lawyer.

Lawsuit — A legal case brought by one person or group against another in court.

Warrant — A legal document giving police permission to do something, such as arresting someone or searching their home.