metaDescription: 'Strengthen your legal English. Master vocabulary for contracts, negotiations, client counsel, and courtroom advocacy with realistic practice dialogues.
Practice Roleplays“Based on the facts you've described, I believe you have a strong case for breach of contract.”
Initial assessment
“I want to be transparent about the risks. There's a possibility the court could rule against us on this point.”
Managing expectations
“My recommendation is to pursue mediation before litigation. It's faster, less expensive, and keeps the matter private.”
Advising on strategy
“We'd like to propose an amendment to clause 7.3 regarding the indemnification provisions.”
Proposing changes
“Our position is that the liability cap should be limited to the total contract value.”
Stating a position
“I think we can find middle ground on the termination clause if both sides are willing to be flexible.”
Seeking compromise
“Your Honor, the evidence clearly demonstrates that the defendant failed to meet their contractual obligations.”
Making an argument
“I'd like to direct the court's attention to Exhibit B, which is the signed agreement dated January 15th.”
Referencing evidence
“Objection, Your Honor. Counsel is leading the witness.”
Raising an objection
“We need to assess the regulatory risk before advising the client to proceed with this transaction.”
Risk assessment
“The precedent set by the Smith v. Johnson ruling could work in our favor here.”
Citing case law
“Let's do a thorough review of the due diligence findings before Monday.”
Delegating work
“In simple terms, a non-compete clause prevents you from working for a direct competitor for a certain period after leaving this company.”
Simplifying legal jargon
“Think of intellectual property like a fence around your ideas — it keeps others from using them without permission.”
Using analogies
“The statute of limitations means there's a deadline for filing this type of claim. In your case, it's two years from the date of the incident.”
Explaining timelines
“jurisdiction”
The authority of a court to hear a case
/joor-is-DIK-shun/
“precedent”
A previous case used as a guide for future decisions
/PRES-ih-dent/
“indemnification”
Compensation for loss or damage
/in-dem-nif-ih-KAY-shun/
“fiduciary”
A duty to act in someone else's best interest
/fih-DOO-shee-air-ee/
“arbitration”
A form of dispute resolution outside the courts
/ar-bih-TRAY-shun/
“litigation”
The process of resolving disputes through the court system
/lit-ih-GAY-shun/
“tort”
A wrongful act leading to civil liability
/tort/
“statute”
A written law passed by a legislative body
/STACH-oot/
“affidavit”
A written statement confirmed by oath
/af-ih-DAY-vit/
“deposition”
Sworn out-of-court testimony
/dep-oh-ZIH-shun/
“plaintiff”
The person who brings a case to court
/PLAYN-tif/
“defendant”
The person accused in a legal proceeding
/deh-FEN-dunt/
“due diligence”
A thorough investigation before a transaction
/doo DIL-ih-jents/
“pro bono”
Legal work done for free, for the public good
/proh BOH-noh/
“breach”
A violation of a law, obligation, or agreement
/breech/
| Word | ❌ Common Error | ✅ Correct | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| precedent | preh-SEE-dent | PRES-ih-dent | Stress on the first syllable. Note: this sounds different from 'president' — the vowel in the second syllable differs. |
| statute | STAH-toot | STACH-oot | The 't' makes a 'ch' sound: STACH-oot. |
| indictment | in-DIKT-ment | in-DYT-ment | The 'c' is silent: in-DYT-ment. |
| litigant | LIT-ih-gant | LIT-ih-gunt | The last syllable has a schwa: -gunt. |
| deposition | deh-POH-zih-shun | dep-oh-ZIH-shun | Stress on the third syllable: dep-oh-ZIH-shun. |
“The court will give their judgment.”
“The court will hand down / deliver its judgment.”
Why: Courts 'hand down' or 'deliver' judgments. Also, 'court' is singular — use 'its,' not 'their'.
“We need to sue a case against the company.”
“We need to file a case against the company.”
Why: You 'file' or 'bring' a case. 'Sue' takes a direct object (a person or entity), not a case.
“The lawyer argued about the evidence.”
“The lawyer argued on the basis of the evidence.”
Why: 'Argued about' implies a quarrel; 'argued on the basis of' conveys legal argumentation.
“This is a very unique situation.”
“This is a unique situation.”
Why: 'Unique' is absolute — something is either unique or not. It doesn't need 'very'.
“The contract was signed between three parties.”
“The contract was signed among three parties.”
Why: 'Between' is used for two parties; 'among' is used for three or more.
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