"Talk Like A Legal Eagle (Vol 1)"
Post on: January 11, 2018
I was watching a thriller movie with my kakis when the on-screen lawyer so pompously postulated: “My client who’s unlawfully apprehended has a chance of reprieve by means of ‘Habeas Corpus'”…. his dialogue went something like this.
I excitedly interjected: “It’s a term which means ‘that you have the body’.” (It is a writ ordering a person to be brought before a court or judge so that the court may ascertain whether his detention is lawful).
My kakis were impressed by my knowledge and teased, “Whoa so Cheam”! I had happened to chance upon this term in an article — Kilat, right?
Want to talk like a lawyer? Of course, we can’t be one unless we have the opportunity and credentials to go through 4 years of vigorous training in law school and be called to the bar. As they say, “Nothing worth having comes easy”.
Nevertheless, we can always talk like one — moreover, it’s good to know such “everyday” terms. I’ve concisely compiled a few legal terms which are commonly used — some of which in Latin:
1. Subrogation- One person takes over the rights or remedies of another against the third party. It is a legal concept particularly relevant to the insurance industry.
2. Estoppel- It’s a legal principle that bars a party from denying or alleging a certain fact owing to that party’s previous conduct, allegation or denial.
3. Uberrima Fides- A Latin phrase meaning “utmost good faith”.
4. Recuse- A legal term which means to disqualify oneself so as to avoid conflict of interest.
5. Impeach- To discredit the testimony of a witness by proving that he/she has not told the truth. Or formally accuse a public official of a serious crime relating to their job (especially in the US).
6. Ex Gratia- Payment is not necessary but made merely as a favour, which usually arises from goodwill or good business relationship.
7. Bona Fide- Genuine; real. (Please ensure you are making a deal with a bona fide company).
8. De Facto- In reality; actual. (Although exiled, he has become the de facto leader of the opposition).
9. Affidavit- A written statement that someone makes after offering to tell the truth. An affidavit can be used as proof in a law court.
10. Habeas Corpus- A Latin term which literally means “that you have the body”. See above passage for the essence of the meaning.
Was the legal jargon too hard to digest? On a lighter note; Qn — “What did the lawyer named his children”? Ans — “Daughter is Sue, and son is Bill”. I hope a tinge of humour made it palatable.
The Jolly Good Times hopes these terms come in handy in your everyday usage. If the terms are worth knowing, it has to be shared. Invite your kakis to Like us on Facebook.
By Shaji Thomas Varughese
#TalkLikeALegalEagle #JollyGoodTimes #ShajiThomasVarughese
https://www.facebook.com/jollygoodtimes.org/
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