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Questions tagged [legalese]

Questions about the strange language of legalese. Consider asking on law.stackexchange.com if your question focuses on the legal interpretation of some term or phrase.

For questions about the language of law, the courts and contracts: legalese. But do not ask for legal advice! Consider asking on law.stackexchange.com if your question focuses on the legal interpretation of some term or phrase.

340 questions
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Can this convoluted bit of "tax speak" be deciphered into plain English?

I am trying to understand a paragraph from a tax manual, and for the life of me I can't seem to understand what they are saying. The paragraph in question is from page 4 of publication 4681 The amount of nonrecourse debt in excess of the FMV of…
Bill
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Is the usage of the idiom "Move Over" in this passage clear on what side to move over to?

Consider this passage in the Georgia DDS 2010 Driver’s Manual: on page 40: The Georgia Move-Over Law requires drivers to move over one lane when possible if an emergency vehicle with flashing lights is parked on the shoulder of the highway. If…
Eran Medan
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Is "in obeyance" a typo in reportage of recent Supreme court proceedings?

The term "in obeyance" seemed strange in the story reported via online outlets. Was this mis-reported, or did they mean "in abeyance", or is this an example of American English differing from the variant on the other side of the Atlantic? The high…
MikeRoger
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'Without prejudice to damages' meaning

I was reading the some contract termination terms, and came across a phrase that I could not derive the exact meaning of and it's still bothering me. Can somebody please explain 'without prejudice to damages' in other words? As far as I understand,…
Grungle
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What's the term/word for a legal case without merit?

What's the term/word for a legal case without merit? There's something more technical than "fraudulent" or "groundless"... can't pinpoint it.
ina
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"In contemplation of"

I came across this phrase in an legal case relating to an ante-nuptial agreement, and was wondering what it meant exactly. The sentence is: Agreement concluded prior to and in contemplation of marriage providing that neither party to derive any…
janexlane
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Grammatical explanation: having a NOUN after another NOUN to describe a characteristic of the preceding noun

Section 2(b) is concerned with legal interests created by a disposition of land the title to which is registered Can someone explain how this type of sentences can be understood, and what this arrangement is called? From translation by Google to a…
charlotte choi
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"In all events" as opposite of "in no event"

I was recently trying to explain to a non-native English speaking colleague the meaning of the phrase "in no event" which often appears in legal documents. This produced the question: "Can you say 'in all events' to mean the opposite?" My curiosity…
xaky
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What do you call a document whereby someone promises to pay back borrowed money?

I am translating a legal document from Persian into English. It is a loan certification thereby the borrower promises to return the borrowed money in specified period of time. It has two paragraphs in addition to specifications of both parties. The…
Mehdi Haghgoo
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What is the word denoting the crime of taking advantage of person under one's authority, sexual or otherwise?

It's a common legal term that has just slipped my mind, and I can't seem to find a reference for it. Thank you.
Jack
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"The general principles of the constitution are with us the result of judicial decisions"

"are with us" just sounds wrong. Is it? I'm not familiar 1885 English. Anne Dennett. Public Law Directions (1 ed 2019). p. 149. Dicey set out his principles on the rule of law in 1885 (Introduction to the Study of Law and Constitution) and they…
user50720
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"constitute EU law an independent and overriding source of domestic law"

This is wrong? Correct is "constitute EU law AS or INTO an independent and overriding source of domestic law"? Anne Dennett. Public Law Directions (1 ed 2019). p. 62. However, the court also pointed out that the status of EU law was only brought…
user50720
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Appropriate word for "something that will kick in if something bad happens"

I'm drafting a somewhat official document, and I can't quite think of the right word here: All employees are covered under an occupational hazard insurance, which would cover any liabilities arising from A, B, or C. The sentence sounds kind of…
Ankush Jain
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Legal term for a document of done job

What is the name of a document that parties sign when job by one party is done and second party agrees to accept it?
You Care
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Understanding The Proper Usage of "Contingency Fee Basis" vs. "Contingent Fee Basis"

I am writing for an law firm and am trying to understand what is the appropriate usage of "contingent fee basis" versus "contingency fee basis." I have always used the term "Contingency Fee Basis" when referring to the type of fee collection that…
Confused_Canary
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