Legal English and Contract Law Vocabulary

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering judicial structure, procedural law, and basic contract law concepts, terms, clauses, and remedies.

Constitutional Court

A court that reviews whether legislation complies with the Belgian Constitution, within its jurisdiction.

Court of Cassation

A court that reviews challenged decisions for legality but does not retry the facts.

Court of Assizes

A court that tries certain serious criminal offences with a jury participating in the decision on guilt.

Court of Appeal

A court that reviews decisions made by lower courts when an appeal is allowed.

Court of First Instance

A court that hears cases at first instance and includes several specialised divisions.

Justice of the Peace Court

A court dealing with certain minor civil disputes, often involving neighbours, leases or small claims.

Police Court

A court mainly dealing with traffic offences and certain minor criminal offences.

Commercial Court

A court dealing with disputes involving businesses and commercial activities.

Family Court

A court dealing with family disputes, such as divorce and parental responsibility.

Juvenile Court

A court dealing with cases involving minors, including youth offences and protective measures.

Employment Appeal Tribunal

A court that hears appeals against decisions of the Labour Court and deals with employment and social security disputes.

Sentence Enforcement Court

A court dealing with the enforcement or adjustment of criminal sentences.

Council of State

A body that gives legal advice on draft legislation and reviews certain decisions of public authorities.

Court of Audit

An institution that audits public finances and checks how public funds are managed.

Claimant / Plaintiff

The party who brings a civil claim or case before a court for the first time.

Defendant

The party against whom a civil claim is brought.

Accused / Defendant

A person formally accused of committing a criminal offence and required to answer the accusation before a court.

Civil party

A person who formally joins criminal proceedings to claim compensation for harm suffered.

Appellant

The person or party who challenges a first-instance decision by lodging an appeal.

Respondent

The party against whom an appeal is brought.

Intervening party

A third party who joins existing proceedings to protect their own rights or interests.

Public prosecutor's office

The public authority responsible for prosecuting criminal offences and representing the public interest.

Advocate General

A legal adviser who gives an independent opinion to the Court of Justice of the EU.

Bailiff / Judicial officer

A legal officer who formally serves documents and may enforce court decisions.

Court registry

The administrative office that supports the court and handles case documents.

Jury member

A person who decides whether an accused person is guilty alongside the applicable legal framework at the Court of Assizes.

Summary proceedings

A fast court procedure used when a quick decision is needed.

Limitation period

The legally established period within which a legal action must be brought.

Burden of proof

The responsibility to prove a claim or allegation.

Admissible evidence

Evidence that is legally permitted to be used in court.

Rebuttal evidence

Evidence presented to challenge or contradict other evidence.

Summons

An official document ordering someone to appear in court.

To serve

To officially deliver a legal document to someone.

Service by actual delivery

The official delivery of a legal document directly to the person concerned.

To adjourn

To temporarily stop or postpone a court case or hearing until a later date.

To make an attachment

To seize property or money under legal authority to secure or recover a debt.

To fail to enter an appearance

To fail to appear in court when required, allowing the case to proceed in one's absence under applicable rules.

To lodge an appeal in cassation

The process of asking the Court of Cassation to review the legality of a decision.

Written submissions

Documents containing the parties' formal arguments and other material submitted in a case.

Contract

A legally binding agreement between two or more parties.

Offer

A proposal made by one party to enter into a contract on specified terms.

Acceptance

Agreement to the terms of an offer.

Counter-offer

A response to an offer that proposes different terms instead of accepting the original offer.

Capacity

The legal ability of a person to enter into a valid contract.

Mutual consent

Agreement or shared willingness between the parties to enter into a contract.

Cause

The legal reason or basis for entering into a contract.

Subject matter

The thing, service, or issue that a contract concerns.

Promisor

The person who makes a promise under a contract.

Promisee

The person to whom a promise is made under a contract.

Third party

A person or organisation that is not one of the parties to a contract.

Condition

A requirement or circumstance that may affect a party's contractual rights or obligations.

Warranty

An additional guarantee given in connection with a contract.

Force majeure clause

A contract provision that may excuse non-performance when an extraordinary event beyond a party's control prevents performance.

Choice of law clause

A contract provision stating which jurisdiction's law will govern disputes relating to the contract.

Choice of court clause / jurisdiction clause

A contract provision in which the parties agree which court or forum will resolve disputes.

Limitation of liability clause

A contract provision that limits the extent to which a party can be held liable for damage or loss.

Exemption clause / exclusion clause

A contract provision that seeks to exclude a party's liability for non-performance of the contract.

Penalty clause

A contract provision requiring a party to pay a predetermined sum if it breaches the contract or fails to fulfil an obligation.

Confidentiality clause

A contract provision requiring parties to protect confidential information and restricting unauthorised disclosure or use.

Misrepresentation

An incorrect statement or presentation of facts that may affect a party's decision to enter into a contract.

Fraud / deceit

Deliberately deceiving another party by fraudulent means so that they enter into a contract they otherwise would not have made.

Mistake

A fundamental error that may affect a party's consent to a contract.

Duress

Unlawful pressure or threats that force a person to enter into a contract.

Exploitation

Taking advantage of another party's weakness or urgent need in a way that causes them contractual disadvantage.

Void contract

A contract that is legally invalid and has no legal effect.

Breach of contract

A failure to comply with an obligation or term of a contract.

Non-performance

Failure to carry out a contractual obligation.

Annulment

The legal cancellation of a contract because of a defect in its formation.

Damages

Money awarded to compensate for loss or harm caused by a breach or other legally recognised wrong.

Specific performance

A remedy requiring a party to carry out their contractual obligations.

Injunction

A court order requiring someone to do something or prohibiting them from doing something.

Restitution

Returning money, property, or a benefit, or restoring a party to an appropriate position.

Rescind a contract

To cancel or undo a contract.

Arbitration

A disagreement resolved by an independent arbitrator rather than an ordinary court.

Mediation

The process of helping parties resolve a dispute through discussion.

Settlement

A disagreement or dispute resolved through negotiation, mediation, or another form of agreement, usually without continuing litigation.