A specialist advocate who represents clients in court and provides expert legal opinions and advice. Barristers are usually instructed by solicitors.

A qualified legal professional who advises clients, prepares legal documents, and may represent clients in court.

An agreement between a solicitor and a client where the solicitor is formally engaged to provide legal services.

A document issued at the beginning of a legal matter stating the scope of work, responsibilities, and other important terms that form part of the Retainer.

The detailed contractual terms governing the relationship between the law firm and the client that go alongside the Client Care Letter.

The amount a solicitor charges per hour for legal work.

A pre-agreed price for completing a specific piece of legal work.

Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA)

Commonly known as a ‘no win no fee’ agreement, where most legal fees are payable only if the case is successful, but some fees may be payable if the case is lost.

Costs paid through a solicitor to other providers during a legal matter, such as court fees, expert reports, or search fees.

Letter Before Action/ Letter of Claim

A formal letter sent to notify a party that legal proceedings may be started if a dispute is not resolved.

A compulsory process that require parties to exchange information before starting court proceedings.

A legally binding agreement resolving a dispute without the need for court proceedings.

Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)

Methods of resolving disputes outside court, including mediation and arbitration.

The legal deadline by which a court proceedings must be started.

A declaration confirming that information in a legal document is true.

The person or organisation bringing a legal claim.

The person or organisation defending a claim brought against them.

The document setting out the facts and legal basis of a claim.

A reply document from the defendant responding to the claimant’s allegations.

The process of sharing descriptions and copies of relevant documents between parties during litigation.

A written statement setting out a witness’s factual evidence.

A request made to the court for a decision on a matter along the way before the final hearing to decide the whole case.

A court decision made without a full trial when one party has no real prospect of success.

The final court hearing where evidence is examined and a judgment is made.

An order determining which party must pay legal costs.

Construction Contract

An agreement governing building or engineering work between parties.

A rapid dispute resolution process commonly used in construction disputes.

A notice specifying the amount due for payment under a construction contract.

A notice issued to reduce the amount payable under a construction contract.

Defects Liability Period

A period after construction during which the contractor must fix defects.

The stage at which construction work is considered complete and usable.

Pre-agreed compensation payable for delays in completing a project.

A contract providing third parties with rights relating to a construction project.

The legal process of ending a marriage.

The stage in divorce proceedings confirming that the court sees no reason why the divorce cannot proceed.

The order that legally ends a marriage.

Child Arrangements Order

A court order determining where a child lives and how they spend time with each parent.

Parental Responsibility

Legal rights and duties relating to a child’s care and upbringing

Court orders determining financial arrangements following divorce.

A legally binding financial agreement approved by the court.

Financial support paid by one spouse to the other after separation.

Failure to take reasonable care resulting in harm.

A legal obligation to ensure the safety of others.

Failure to meet the expected standard of care.

The requirement to prove the defendant’s actions caused the injury.

Compensation for pain, suffering, and loss of amenity.

Compensation for financial losses such as lost earnings.

Medical or therapeutic treatment following injury.

Shareholders’ Agreement

A contract outlining the rights and responsibilities of company shareholders.

Articles of Association

A company’s internal rules governing management and operations.

Legal Glossary | Plain English Definitions of Legal Terms

General Legal and Client Terms

These terms apply across most areas of legal practice and describe how legal services operate in the UK.

: A specialist advocate who represents clients in court and provides expert legal opinions and advice. Barristers are usually instructed by solicitors.
: A qualified legal professional who advises clients, prepares legal documents, and may represent clients in court.
: An agreement between a solicitor and a client where the solicitor is formally engaged to provide legal services.
: A document issued at the beginning of a legal matter stating the scope of work, responsibilities, and other important terms that form part of the Retainer.
: The detailed contractual terms governing the relationship between the law firm and the client that go alongside the Client Care Letter.
: The amount a solicitor charges per hour for legal work.
: A pre-agreed price for completing a specific piece of legal work.
: Commonly known as a ‘no win no fee’ agreement, where most legal fees are payable only if the case is successful, but some fees may be payable if the case is lost.
: Costs paid through a solicitor to other providers during a legal matter, such as court fees, expert reports, or search fees.
: A formal letter sent to notify a party that legal proceedings may be started if a dispute is not resolved.
: A compulsory process that require parties to exchange information before starting court proceedings.
: A legally binding agreement resolving a dispute without the need for court proceedings.
: Methods of resolving disputes outside court, including mediation and arbitration.
: The legal deadline by which a court proceedings must be started.
: A declaration confirming that information in a legal document is true.

Civil Litigation

Civil litigation involves resolving disputes, usually about money, between individuals or organisations through the courts.

: The person or organisation bringing a legal claim.
: The person or organisation defending a claim brought against them.
: The document setting out the facts and legal basis of a claim.
: A reply document from the defendant responding to the claimant’s allegations.
: The process of sharing descriptions and copies of relevant documents between parties during litigation.
: A written statement setting out a witness’s factual evidence.
: A request made to the court for a decision on a matter along the way before the final hearing to decide the whole case.
: A court decision made without a full trial when one party has no real prospect of success.
: The final court hearing where evidence is examined and a judgment is made.
: The final decision of a court.
: An order determining which party must pay legal costs.

Construction Law

Construction law governs disputes and contracts relating to building projects and infrastructure works.

: An agreement governing building or engineering work between parties.
: A rapid dispute resolution process commonly used in construction disputes.
: A notice specifying the amount due for payment under a construction contract.
: A notice issued to reduce the amount payable under a construction contract.
: A period after construction during which the contractor must fix defects.
: The stage at which construction work is considered complete and usable.
: Pre-agreed compensation payable for delays in completing a project.
: A contract providing third parties with rights relating to a construction project.

Family Law

Family law deals with legal matters involving relationships, children, and financial arrangements following separation.

: The legal process of ending a marriage.
: The stage in divorce proceedings confirming that the court sees no reason why the divorce cannot proceed.
: The order that legally ends a marriage.
: A court order determining where a child lives and how they spend time with each parent.
: Legal rights and duties relating to a child’s care and upbringing
: Court orders determining financial arrangements following divorce.
: A legally binding financial agreement approved by the court.
: Financial support paid by one spouse to the other after separation.

Personal Injury

Personal injury law covers claims for injuries caused by someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing.

: Failure to take reasonable care resulting in harm.
: A legal obligation to ensure the safety of others.
: Failure to meet the expected standard of care.
: The requirement to prove the defendant’s actions caused the injury.
: Compensation for pain, suffering, and loss of amenity.
: Compensation for financial losses such as lost earnings.
: Medical or therapeutic treatment following injury.

Corporate and Commercial Law

Corporate and commercial law governs businesses, companies, and commercial agreements.

: A contract outlining the rights and responsibilities of company shareholders.
: A company’s internal rules governing management and operations.
: Legal responsibilities of company directors under the Companies Act 2006.
: The investigation of a business prior to investment or acquisition.
: A transaction where specific assets of a company are bought.
: A transaction where ownership of company shares is transferred.
: A contract preventing parties from sharing confidential information.
: A document outlining the main terms of a commercial agreement.

Conveyancing

Conveyancing is the legal process of transferring ownership of property.

: Ownership of a property and the land it stands on without an end date.
: Ownership of a property for a fixed term under a lease.
: The time when property contracts become a legal commitment for one party to sell and the other to buy.
: The final step when ownership of property transfers from seller to buyer.
: Investigations carried out during property transactions.
: A tax payable when purchasing property in England.
: The official record of property ownership held by HM Land Registry.
: A sequence of linked property transactions.

Group Litigation

Group litigation involves claims brought by multiple claimants against the same defendant.

: A court order allowing claims with common issues to be managed together.
: A representative claimant whose case may determine key legal issues.
: Legal or factual questions shared across multiple claims.
: A case selected to determine issues affecting other claims.

Private Client

Private client law covers personal legal and financial matters.

: A legal document setting out how a person’s estate should be distributed after death.
: A person appointed to administer an estate.
: The legal process of administering a deceased person’s estate.
: A document appointing someone to make decisions on another person’s behalf.
: A legal arrangement where assets are managed by trustees for beneficiaries.
: A tax payable on estates above a certain value.

Commercial Litigation

Commercial litigation deals with business disputes.

: Failure to fulfil contractual obligations.
: A court order requiring a party to stop or take specific action.
: Financial compensation for losses caused by wrongdoing.
: A false statement that induces a party to enter a contract.
: A court order requiring contractual obligations to be performed.

Criminal Law

Criminal law involves offences prosecuted by the state.

: A serious criminal offence heard in the Crown Court.
: A less serious offence heard in the Magistrates’ Court.
: Temporary release of a suspect pending trial.
: Formal accusation of a criminal offence.
: A defendant’s response to a criminal charge.
: The punishment imposed following conviction.

Immigration

Immigration law governs the rights of individuals to enter or remain in the UK.

: Official permission to enter or remain in the UK.
: Permanent residence status in the UK.
: Permission for UK employers to sponsor foreign workers.
: A visa allowing skilled workers to work in the UK.
: A check employers must carry out to confirm a worker’s eligibility.

Professional Negligence

Professional negligence occurs when professionals fail to meet required standards.

: A professional obligation to act with reasonable skill and care.
: Failure to meet professional standards.
: Financial or other harm caused by negligence.
: Testimony from specialists used to assess professional standards.

Commercial Property

Commercial property law relates to business premises and land.

: An agreement allowing a business to occupy premises.
: A contractual right allowing early termination of a lease.
: A process for adjusting rent during a lease term.
: Repairs a tenant must make at the end of a lease.

Employment Law

Employment law governs relationships between employers and employees.

: The agreement outlining terms of employment.
: Termination of employment without fair reason or procedure.
: Dismissal due to reduced need for employees.
: Resignation caused by an employer’s serious breach of contract.
: A legally binding agreement resolving employment disputes.

Medical Negligence

Medical negligence involves harm caused by substandard healthcare.

: Medical treatment falling below acceptable standards.
: A patient’s agreement to treatment after understanding risks.
: Specialist opinion used to assess medical standards.

Wills, Trusts and Probate Disputes

These disputes arise when disagreements occur over estates or wills.

: Legal disputes relating to the validity or interpretation of a will.
: Pressure placed on someone when making a will.
: The legal ability to make a valid will.
: Disagreement about how an estate is administered.