Following requests from our students who work in law, we're putting together a helpful list that covers everything from basic legal terms to everyday phrases. We hope you find it useful.
Basic Legal Vocabulary
Abogado/a (Lawyer) - The general term for a legal professional.
Juez/a (Judge) - The person who presides over the court.
Fiscal (Prosecutor) - A lawyer who represents the state or the people in a criminal trial.
Defensor/a (Defender) - A lawyer who defends the accused in a trial.
Testigo (Witness) - A person who gives testimony in court.
Demanda (Lawsuit) - A legal action brought by one party against another.
Sentencia (Sentence or Judgment) - The final decision of a court.
Contrato (Contract) - A legally binding agreement between parties.
Delito (Crime) - An act punishable by law, typically a serious one.
Fallo (Verdict) - The decision made by a jury or judge.
Useful Expressions in Legal Settings
"Según la ley" - According to the law.
"De acuerdo con el artículo..." - In accordance with article...
"Presentar una demanda contra" - To file a lawsuit against.
"Estar en juicio" - To be on trial.
"Dictar sentencia" - To pass judgment.
"Cumplir una condena" - To serve a sentence.
"Declararse culpable/no culpable" - To plead guilty/not guilty.
"Evidencia/Prueba" - Evidence.
"Testimonio bajo juramento" - Testimony under oath.
"Violación de contrato" - Breach of contract.
Phrases for Client Interaction
"¿Cómo puedo ayudarle?" - How can I assist you?
"Necesitamos revisar los documentos relevantes." - We need to review the relevant documents.
"Es importante actuar de acuerdo con la ley." - It’s important to act according to the law.
"Vamos a preparar su defensa." - We’re going to prepare your defense.
"Este es el procedimiento habitual en estos casos." - This is the standard procedure in such cases.
Advanced Legal Terms
"Jurisprudencia" (Jurisprudence) - The theory or philosophy of law.
"Inculpado" (Accused) - The person charged with a crime.
"Recurso de apelación" (Appeal) - A request to a higher court for the review of a lower court's decision.
"Derecho consuetudinario" (Common law) - Law derived from custom and judicial precedent rather than statutes.
"Fianza" (Bail) - Security given for the release of a criminal defendant or witness from legal custody.
Conclusion
Mastering these terms and expressions can greatly enhance a legal professional's ability to work within Spanish-speaking environments and contexts. It's also beneficial to immerse oneself in the language through legal texts, cases, and documents in Spanish. Engaging with Spanish-speaking colleagues and participating in legal proceedings in Spanish can provide practical experience and deepen understanding of legal Spanish.