Legal English PDF for Beginners: 100 Must-Know Words for Law and Contracts

Legal English PDF for Beginners: 100 Must-Know Words for Law and Contracts

Introduction

Legal English is a specialized form of the English language used in the legal profession. If you are a law student, a lawyer, or working in international business, having a strong foundation in legal vocabulary will give you a professional edge.

In this article, you will learn key legal terms used in contracts, court proceedings, and legal documents. You can also download a free PDF containing 100 essential legal terms with definitions and real-world examples.

Why Legal English Matters

Legal documents require precision and clarity. A small misunderstanding can lead to serious consequences. That’s why legal English focuses on formal vocabulary, clear structure, and specific meaning.

Understanding terms like “liability,” “indemnity,” or “arbitration” is essential if you work with contracts or handle cross-border communication.

Legal English PDF for Beginners: 100 Must-Know Words for Law and Contracts

Top 20 Legal Terms You Should Know

Term	Meaning	Example Sentence
Plaintiff	The person who brings a case to court	The plaintiff filed a complaint against the firm.
Defendant	The person who is being sued or accused	The defendant appeared before the judge.
Contract	A legally binding agreement	The contract was signed by both parties.
Settlement	An agreement to end a legal dispute	The case ended with a financial settlement.
Breach	Violation of a law or contract	The company was sued for breach of contract.
Arbitration	A method to settle disputes outside court	The dispute was resolved through arbitration.
Clause	A section within a contract	The agreement includes a non-compete clause.
Liability	Legal responsibility for something	The driver accepted full liability.
Indemnity	Protection from legal loss or damages	The contract includes an indemnity clause.
Jurisdiction	Legal power to make decisions in a case	This court has no jurisdiction over foreign cases.

For the complete list of 100 words with examples, download the free PDF below.

Legal English Vocabulary with Audio – Listen and Learn the Most Important Terms

Improve your legal vocabulary and listening skills at the same time.
Below are 20 essential legal terms in English, with simple definitions and example sentences.
Use the audio to listen, repeat, and memorize the words correctly — perfect for beginners, law students, and professionals.

Audio Vocabulary List (1–20)

1. Plaintiff
A plaintiff is the person who brings a case to court.
Example: The plaintiff filed a complaint against the company.

2. Defendant
A defendant is the person who is being sued or accused.
Example: The defendant appeared before the judge.

3. Contract
A contract is a legally binding agreement.
Example: They signed a contract to finalize the deal.

4. Settlement
A settlement is an agreement to end a legal dispute.
Example: The case ended in a financial settlement.

5. Breach
A breach is a violation of a contract or law.
Example: That was a clear breach of the agreement.

6. Arbitration
Arbitration is a way to resolve disputes without going to court.
Example: The two companies chose arbitration to avoid trial.

7. Clause
A clause is a specific part of a contract.
Example: Please read the cancellation clause carefully.

8. Liability
Liability means legal responsibility for something.
Example: The company accepted full liability for the accident.

9. Indemnity
Indemnity means protection against legal loss or damage.
Example: The contract includes an indemnity clause.

10. Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction is the legal authority to make decisions.
Example: This court has no jurisdiction over foreign cases.

11. Evidence
Evidence is information used to support a legal argument.
Example: The lawyer presented strong evidence in court.

12. Appeal
An appeal is a legal request to review a court decision.
Example: The defendant filed an appeal after the verdict.

13. Damages
Damages are money paid for loss or injury.
Example: The company was ordered to pay damages.

14. Witness
A witness is someone who sees or knows something about the case.
Example: The witness gave a clear statement to the police.

15. Lawsuit
A lawsuit is a legal case between two parties.
Example: She filed a lawsuit against her former employer.

16. Agreement
An agreement is a mutual decision between parties.
Example: Both sides reached a written agreement.

17. Termination
Termination means ending a contract or employment.
Example: The contract includes a termination clause.

18. Obligation
An obligation is something a person is legally required to do.
Example: Tenants have an obligation to pay rent on time.

19. Confidentiality
Confidentiality means keeping information private.
Example: The employee signed a confidentiality agreement.

20. Breach of Contract
Breach of contract means not following the terms of a contract.
Example: The company sued for breach of contract.

Download the Free PDF Guide

Get your copy of the “Legal English Vocabulary – 100 Essential Terms” PDF. This guide includes:

Legal terms organized by theme (contracts, court, employment, etc.)
Definitions in simple English
Example sentences from real legal use
Practical phrases for contracts and negotiations

Download

Additional High-Value Legal Topics You Should Learn

To boost your legal English and increase your job opportunities, we recommend exploring these topics:

Contract Drafting Vocabulary – Common phrases used in commercial agreements.
Employment Law Terms – Key vocabulary for human resources, hiring, and dismissal.
Intellectual Property Terms – Learn words related to copyright, trademarks, and patents.
Litigation Vocabulary – Understand the language of lawsuits, courts, and appeals.
Banking and Financial Regulations in English – Includes terms like audit, compliance, capital, and interest rate risk.

Each of these topics can lead to higher-paying clients or positions in legal and corporate fields.

Practice Section – Legal English Quiz

Test your understanding of basic legal terms with this short quiz:

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence:

The contract was terminated due to a serious __________ of terms.
a) clause
b) breach
c) defendant
d) liability
→ Correct Answer: b) breach
A(n) __________ is used to settle disputes without going to court.
a) litigation
b) settlement
c) arbitration
d) plaintiff
→ Correct Answer: c) arbitration
The __________ signed the agreement after negotiation.
a) clause
b) indemnity
c) parties
d) jurisdiction
→ Correct Answer: c) parties
A __________ is responsible for proving the case in court.
a) plaintiff
b) defendant
c) arbitrator
d) witness
→ Correct Answer: a) plaintiff

Bonus Exercise – Legal Sentences

Fill in the blanks using these words: contract, liability, clause, defendant

The __________ is accused of stealing corporate data.
Each __________ must be read carefully before signing.
If you break the terms of the __________, you may be sued.
The company denied all __________ for the incident.

Answers:

defendant
clause
contract
liability

Conclusion

Mastering Legal English is essential for professionals working with legal documents, international business, or law firms. With the right vocabulary, you will feel more confident and capable in any legal conversation.

Don’t forget to download the free PDF to continue learning and practicing the top 100 legal terms in English.