Law of Tort and Employment Law Vocabulary

A comprehensive vocabulary set covering essential legal terms from the Law of Tort and Employment Law, based on TOLES Foundation materials.

actionable

Subject to legal action or giving grounds for a lawsuit.

actionable per se

Actionable in court without the need to prove that actual damage occurred.

assault

The tort of acting intentionally to cause a person to apprehend immediate harm or violence.

battery

The intentional use of physical force or violence against another person.

award damages

A court order for the payment of money as compensation for a loss or injury.

be entitled to redress

To have the legal right to compensation for a wrong suffered.

be in breach of sb's duty of care

To fail to exercise the level of care and caution required by law toward another person.

carelessness

A lack of proper care or attention; negligence.

commit (crime/tort)

To perform or carry out an illegal act or a civil wrong.

compensate

To provide something (usually money) to make up for a loss, injury, or suffering.

compensation

Something, typically money, awarded to someone in recognition of loss, suffering, or injury.

damage

Harm or injury to a person or property.

damages

The financial compensation awarded by a court to a claimant in a civil action.

defamation

The act of damaging the good reputation of someone, encompassing both libel and slande.

deterrent

A measure intended to discourage or prevent certain behavior or actions.

duty of care

A legal obligation to adhere to a standard of reasonable care while performing acts that could foreseeably harm others.

false imprisonment

The tort of intentionally restraining another person's liberty without legal justification.

foreseeable

Capable of being anticipated or predicted before it occurs.

grant a remedy

To provide a legal solution or compensation for a violation of a right.

grounds

The underlying facts, reasons, or premises for a legal claim.

harm

Loss, injury, or damage suffered by a person.

legal argument

A dispute or set of reasons presented in a legal context.

liable for sth

Legally responsible or obligated for something.

libel

A published or written false statement that is damaging to a person's reputation.

negligence

A failure to exercise the care that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in like circumstances.

nuisance

A tort involving the interference with a person's use or enjoyment of their land.

omission

A failure to act when there is a legal duty to do so.

remote damage

Harm that is not a foreseeable result of a breach of duty and is therefore not compensable.

slander

The action or crime of making a false spoken statement damaging to a person's reputation.

tort / civil wrong

A wrongful act or an infringement of a right (other than under contract) leading to civil legal liability.

tortfeasor

A person who commits a tort.

trespass to land

An unlawful entry onto another person's private property without permission.

trespass to the person

A tort involving the direct and intentional interference with another person's body or liberty.

appraisal / evaluation

A formal assessment or review of an employee's performance.

be dismissed / be fired / be sacked

To have one's employment terminated by the employer.

clause

A specific section or provision within a legal contract.

constructive dismissal

When an employee resigns because the employer’s behavior has made the working relationship untenable.

contentious work

Legal work that involves a dispute or disagreement between parties, often leading to litigation.

non-contentious work

Legal work not related to disputes, such as drafting documents or advising on transactions.

disciplinary procedure

A formal process used by an employer to address employee misconduct or performance issues.

disclose

To make secret or new information known; to reveal.

discrimination

Unfair treatment of a person or group based on specific characteristics such as race, gender, or age.

dock pay

To deduct or withhold money from an employee's wages.

employment contract

A legally binding agreement between an employer and an employee outlining terms of work.

fixed-term contract

An employment agreement that ends on a specific date or upon completion of a specific task.

grievance procedure

The formal process for handling an employee's complaints or concerns against their employer.

gross misconduct

Serious behavior by an employee that is so improper it justifies immediate dismissal without notice.

harassment

Unwanted behavior or conduct that is offensive, humiliating, or intimidating to another person.

maternity leave

A period of absence from work granted to a mother before and after the birth of her child.

medical certificate

A document from a doctor used as evidence of an employee's illness or fitness to work.

non-competition

A clause in a contract which prohibits an employee from working for or starting a competing business.

notice period

The duration of time between an employee's resignation or dismissal and their last day of work.

provision

A condition or requirement stated within a legal document or contract.

redundancy

A form of dismissal where an employer no longer needs an employee for a particular role.

remuneration

The formal term for money paid for work or a service.

sick pay

Wages paid to an employee while they are absent from work due to illness.

terminate the contract

To formally end a legal agreement or employment relationship.

third party

A person or entity who is not one of the two main parties involved in a contract or legal proceeding.

trade union

An organization that represents the collective interests of employees in negotiations with employers.

tribunal

A specialized body or court that settles disputes, specifically in employment law.

unfair dismissal

The termination of an employee's job without a valid reason or without following proper legal procedures.