Test 2: Career in the Law, Working lives, Legal aid in Estonia, Frivolous Lawsuits.

Acquittal

An official court decision finding that an individual accused of a criminal offence is not guilty.

The acquittal allowed him to walk out of the courtroom a free man.

To adhere to

To comply with or follow a rule, standard, principle.

Lawyers must adhere to strict ethical standards.

Amended draft

A revised version of a formal text, such as a contract or legislative bill, updated after the initial draft.

The parties signed the amended draft after weeks of negotiation.

Bailiff

An officer who enforces court orders, serves legal documents, or maintains security and order in a courtroom.

The bailiff asked everyone to stand as the judge entered.

Barrister

A licensed attorney focused on representing clients and arguing cases as an advocate in courts.

The barrister delivered a powerful closing speech.

Compensatory damages

Money awarded by a court to an injured person to cover their actual losses and restore them to the position they were in before the harm occurred

She received compensatory damages covering her medical bills and lost salary.

Contingency fee

A billing arrangement where legal counsel collects payment solely upon winning the dispute, typically as an agreed percentage of the recovery.

He couldn't afford a lawyer, so he found one who worked on a contingency fee.

Corporate litigant

A business entity or corporation, rather than a private person, that is an official party in a lawsuit.

As a corporate litigant, the bank had far more resources than the plaintiff.

Defamation

Communication of a false statement about a person or entity to a third party that damages their reputation

The actor sued the magazine for defamation.

Expertise

A high level of specialised knowledge, skill, or judgment in a particular field

The firm is known for its expertise in maritime commerce.

Felony

A serious crime that is typically punishable by severe sanctions such as long-term imprisonment or death.

Armed robbery is classified as a felony.

Fraudulent misrepresentation

When a person or business knowingly or recklessly makes a false statement of fact to trick another party into entering an agreement or taking action, resulting in financial harm

The buyer cancelled the contract, claiming fraudulent misrepresentation about the car's history.

Frivolous lawsuit

A frivolous lawsuit is a legal claim filed with little or no basis in fact or law, often intended to harass, delay, or embarrass the opposing party rather than seek a real remedy.

The judge dismissed the frivolous lawsuit and ordered the claimant to pay costs.

Indict / Indictment

A formal written charge or accusation issued by a grand jury stating that a person has committed a crime

The CEO was indicted on charges of tax evasion, and the indictment was made public on Monday.

Indigent people

Impoverished individuals who lack the financial means to secure basic life necessities, including legal counsel.

The state provides free lawyers for indigent people facing criminal charges.

In-house counsel

A licensed attorney directly employed by a corporation to manage internal legal affairs.

Our in-house counsel reviews every contract before we sign it.

Injunction

An official order issued by a court that either commands someone to do sth specific or prohibits them of doing sth.

The court granted an injunction preventing the factory from dumping waste in the river.

Law clinic

A program run by a law school that gives law students hands-on legal experience while providing free legal help to people who cannot afford a lawyer

She gained practical experience at the university's law clinic.

Liaison (with clients)

Acting as the main point of contact and communication bridge between a business and its customers

Her job is to act as a liaison with clients and keep them updated on their cases.

Libel

Written form of defamation that damages a person's or organization's reputation with false and harmful statements

The newspaper had to pay for libel after printing the false accusation.

Litigation

The process of taking a legal dispute to a court of law to get an official decision or resolution

The litigation dragged on for five years.

Misdemeanour

Minor criminal offense that is less serious than a felony.

Petty theft is usually treated as a misdemeanour.

Negligence

The failure to use the level of care that a reasonably prudent person would exercise under similar circumstances

The hospital was found guilty of negligence after the wrong medicine was given.

Persecution

Systematic mistreatment or harassment directed at an individual or collective group, particularly on grounds of identity or religion.

Many refugees flee their countries to escape persecution.

Pro se litigant

An individual who chooses to conduct their own defense or court case without the formal representation of an attorney.

As a pro se litigant, he had to prepare all his own documents.

Prosecution

Legal process of bringing formal criminal charges against an accused person and presenting a case against them in a court of law to prove guilt

The prosecution called three witnesses.

Proximate cause (in insurance law)

The dominant, most efficient, and direct cause that sets in motion an unbroken chain of events leading to a property or casualty loss

The flood, not the fire, was the proximate cause of the damage, so the claim was rejected.

Punitive damages

Extra money, above compensatory levels a court orders a defendant to pay in order to punish them for extreme wrongdoing and to stop them (and others) from acting that way again.

The jury awarded punitive damages because the company had deliberately hidden the danger.

To reimburse

To pay back money that someone else has already spent or lost.

The firm will reimburse your travel costs.

Retraction

A formal announcement that a previously published statement is wrong and is being taken back.

The newspaper printed a retraction on the front page.

Right to counsel

A fundamental legal guarantee ensuring that a defendant accused of a criminal offense has access to professional legal advice and defense.

The police informed him of his right to counsel before questioning.

To settle (a case) out of court

When two opposing sides resolve a legal dispute privately through agreement rather than letting a judge or jury make a final decision in a trial

Both sides chose to settle out of court to avoid high costs.

Slander

False and harmful spoken statement that damages a person's or corporation's reputation

He sued his neighbour for slander after she spread lies about him.

Sole practitioner

An independent attorney who runs their own independent practice by themselves, without partners, shareholders, or co-owners.

As a sole practitioner, she handles every client herself.

Solicitor

A qualified legal professional who provides expert legal advice, prepares cases, and represents clients primarily outside of major courtrooms or in lower courts

Her solicitor drafted the will.

Strict liability tort

A strict liability tort is a legal rule that holds a person or company responsible for damages or injuries caused by their actions or products regardless of fault, intent, or negligence

Keeping wild animals is often a strict liability tort.

Summary proceedings

Simplified legal action designed to resolve civil or criminal matters quickly without the full formalities

The case was dealt with in summary proceedings and finished in one day.

The Appellate Court affirmed the judgment

The higher court agreed with the lower court's original decision and ruled that it was correct.

The Appellate Court affirmed the judgment, so the original ruling stood.

The Appellate Court reversed the case

A higher court reviewed a lower court's ruling, found a significant legal error, and overturned or canceled that original decision

The Appellate Court reversed the case and ordered a new trial.

The court found for the defendant

The tribunal or jury reached a decision favoring the accused or responding party, defeating the claimant's action.

The court found for the defendant, and the claim was dismissed.

To award damages

to order that a sum of money be paid to the injured party as compensation

The judge awarded damages of €20,000 to the injured worker.

To disbar a lawyer

Most severe legal sanction that revokes a lawyer's license and permanently or temporarily ends their right to practice law

The lawyer was disbarred for stealing client money.

Tort

A civil wrong that causes harm to another person and leads to legal liability in civil court rather than criminal jail time

Negligence is the most common tort.

To waive a right

To voluntarily and knowingly surrender or abandon a recognized legal privilege, remedy, or entitlement.

By signing the form, he waived his right to appeal.

Conjuctions for addition

and

moreover

as well as

in addition

also

furthermore

Conjuctions for result

consequently

therefore

so

that is why

as a result of

Conjuctions for reason

since

because

owing to

due to

as

Conjuctions for opposition

yet

but

however

nevertheless

albeit

although

despite

Conjuctions for example

such as

e.g.

for example

for instance

Conjuctions for time

then

after

while

next

before

ultimately

Personally

If you ask me

To be honest

Frankly

However

On the other hand

By the way

Incidentally

Actually

As a matter of fact

Obviously

Clearly

Fortunately

Luckily

In general

Overall

Funnily enough

Strangely enough

At the same time

Used to add a contrasting point

And so on/ and so forth

etc.

Provided that

Only if

Beyond the scope of

Outside of what is covered

Respectively

In the same order as listed

Albeit

Albeit is a formal conjunction meaning "although," "even though," or "despite the stated thing", CANNOT INTRODUCE A FULL INDEPENDENT CLAUSE

• Adjective: "The movie was entertaining, albeit predictable".

• Adverb: "He completed the project on time, albeit slowly".

• Noun phrase: "She won the match, albeit by a narrow margin"

• ❌ Incorrect: Albeit the weather was terrible, we still went for a walk.

• ❌ Incorrect: We went for a walk. Albeit, the weather was terrible.

1. Switch to although or even though: " Although the weather was terrible, we still went for a walk."

2. Trim the clause into a short phrase: "We went for a walk, albeit in terrible weather."

Using comma with linking world “although”

Linking word although in the middle - no coma!!!

He was admitted to the university although his grades were low.

Using coma with linking word “nevertheless”

Nevertheless is a strong linking word - no comma before. Sentence ends and coma after nevertheless

His grades were low. Nevertheless, he was admitted to the university.