Are you confused by attorney speak? It may not be your first time hearing this terminology. Generally, lawyers use special words and phrases related to their profession. These words may be archaic or based on Latin, but they can be hard to understand for the public. In this article, you’ll learn how to understand lawyer-speak. You’ll learn how to spot the common mistakes that make lawyers speak cryptically. Here are the main characteristics of a lawyer speak.
Legalese is a jargon used by lawyers
If you’re working in the legal industry, you’ve probably heard the term “legalese” at some point. This specialized language is commonly used in legal documents and can be difficult to understand for people outside of the industry. Legalese uses the passive voice, long words, and archaic terms to make their points, and it’s not always easy to follow. In this article, we’ll discuss how to understand legalese and what it means for you.
Despite its widespread use, legalese has its place. Lawyers use it to communicate with their clients and impress the legal community. They also use it to protect the market for their services. Advocates argue that legalese allows for greater precision in legal writing. However, critics argue that legalese encourages boilerplate forms and contracts, which have little economic value. So, how can we avoid legalese without a lawyer’s help?
It is based on Latin
Many lawyers use archaic Latin phrases in their written pleadings and oral arguments. Latin proverbs and maxims have been used in legal works for centuries, and many of these words have made their way into our everyday language. These phrases make it easier to convey a lawyer’s message without involving a third party. The following list is an example of a Latin-based phrase. In addition, these phrases can be used in estate planning.
The Latin origin of many legal terms can be traced to French and Latin. As English became an official language, it gradually replaced French as the language of the court system. French and Latin were still commonly used in the early 17th century, but they were not widely spoken. It took a while for the language to evolve to its current state. However, the use of Latin and Law French for legal purposes declined during the 17th century, when English became the predominant language in the world.
It uses archaic or long words
When you hear a lawyer talk, the chances are that you’re thinking of a certain legal term. You might have heard of a tort, a word that means wrongful action. Similarly, an upstanding citizen means honorable or respectable. Another common phrase in lawyer talk is “be upstanding,” which is a British law mnemonic. Although the phrase is not exactly correct in all contexts, it is often used as a mnemonic for aspiring lawyers to remember important legal terms. Regardless of your preferred wording, make sure you stay away from archaic or long words in lawyer-speak.