Dictionary of Legal Terms: Definitions and Explanations for Non-Lawyers

First, I'm a Prime Member, as you should be too, so this book arrived almost instantly in perfect condition. Thanks Amazon! Legal language has permeated our lives to the point we often take it for granted. And that would be a terrible mistake! As someone with a BS In Law Enforcement and Police Sciences, I was "familiar" with many "terms" - but they were from the position of "enforcing law" and not from "protecting my rights". The later, obviously more prevalent in reality than the former. I even own a few other Legal Dictionaries - even the well known, "Blacks Law Dictionary," but these still carry an assumption that the reader has a certain legal understanding, which isn't always the case. And you just don't find the many Latin terms frequently used and worse, a "pronunciation guide" - something just taken for granted - but just as essential. You don't want to be on the "other side" when your facing the uphill battle of not only learning the legal procedure, but what the heck are they even talking about or what are they even telling me is the "right thing?" How do you know what the legal argument they've accepted "is" - with out knowing what they're talking about? It's not a place you want to be starting from. And today, with so many "contracts" we become part of or required to sign, it's down right dangerous to be signing something you don't understand! That's were this little book is so awesome! It fills the gaps for the regular you and me, using plain English and when necessary - and it is, "Latin" with a "how to" - pronunciation guide! Here's what makes this book so important and really shine. And the author even shares this in the Preface - many professions hide or obfuscate their language to keep us little people from understanding the issues and by default, keeping "them" necessary - and the one's to "explain" from their lofty perch of superiority. When you understand the language of a thing - you understand the "thing". Start taking back some of your power with this small investment. You may find it interesting, leading you to further explore the legal field. Or, it may answer some question you never knew you had. Either way, you'll have a resource to refer to that's up to date - and it even includes terms from other industries and professions, to round out helping you know what you may be involved it - whether your choice, or not. A small price to pay, considering how litigious our society is today.

This '5th Edition' Barron's Dictionary of Legal Terms is an indispensable and easily accessible companion for anyone who needs to have at-hand a solid, ready-reference guide to understanding both the scope and the meaning of legal phraseology, whether simply looking for translations of frequently cited Latin phrases that still tend to suffuse our legal system, or in just getting a sense of the possible scope of application of legal terminology, as those terms are frequently used in generally describing our rights, duties and obligations, or the rights, duties and obligations of others with whom we interact, often on a daily basis.Dictionaries are obviously NOT 'how to' guides, nor are they 'primers' outlining the scope of our legal rights, duties and obligations in particular situations. But, whether we are operating, or acting in any one of a potentially limitless number of rule-driven commercial settings, or perhaps within the scope of other rules or 'standards' driven organizations or forums, and even when we are merely causally interacting with those around us, it is obvious that knowing what legal 'words and phrases' mean, can be very useful criteria for enhancing our understanding, including in possibly helping us be unconstrained to engage with others openly and freely, while simultaneously protecting ourselves from unfortunate or unforeseen legal consequences.And for legal practitioners and others, a good legal dictionary can be a solid quick-reference guide in more precisely framing everything from written legal advice, to moving papers, or a myriad of other possible legal writings, or even when giving someone oral advice that necessarily seeks to warn then against possible risks. E.g., "Caveat emptor."Especially when combined with a useful and up to date 'primer' on American law, students, business people, and even other professionals can greatly benefit as a result of keeping an easily accessible legal dictionary close at hand.

I like the book. It’s weight, clarity and easy language to understand the meaning of the legal technical language.

Great book

I had to take a medical jurisprudence course and this was helpful with some of the terms. Easy to use and understand.

Covers a lot of legal terms. Definitions are detailed and easy to understand.

I'm waiting to find a word that's not in this little dictionary. I keep it in my desk at work. Handy desk size and so far, every term I've looked for is in it.

Useful for understanding the mumbo jumbo you find in everyday life, either as a lawyer or as a non lawyer (target audience) Employment contracts, work contracts, technology licensing, asset leasing,.. you name it, you will come across words that are arcane and confusing (grounds maybe for unconscionability of contracts?)If I could make this book even better, I would try to add a sort of "legal equivalent" translation for Spanish to each word (even though legal systems differ between countries)Not yet been to court, but likely I would bring one of these just in case whenever that happens.