5 legal English expressions that will surprise you


En el mundo del inglés jurídico, es esencial dominar no solo la terminología técnica, sino también las expresiones que se utilizan con frecuencia en contextos legales. Estas expresiones en inglés jurídico pueden ser cruciales para entender contratos, comunicarse con colegas y presentar argumentos legales de manera efectiva. Aquí te presentamos cinco expresiones idiomáticas legales que te sorprenderán y te serán muy útiles en el inglés para abogados.

 1. Breach of contract

Meaning

Breach of contract refers to the violation of the terms of a contract. It is a common expression in legal English and is essential to understand, as it is used in numerous legal contexts.

Example

“The company filed a lawsuit for breach of contract after the supplier failed to deliver the goods on time.”

2. Due diligence

Meaning

Due diligence refers to the process of investigation and evaluation that takes place prior to the signing of major contracts or the acquisition of a company. It is standard practice in the English language for lawyers.

Example

“Before finalizing the merger, the legal team conducted thorough due diligence to assess any potential risks.”

3. Force majeure

Meaning

Force majeure is a clause in many English-language contracts that releases the parties from fulfilling their contractual obligations due to unforeseen events beyond their control, such as natural disasters or war.

Example

“The contract includes a force majeure clause that protects both parties in case of unforeseen events.”

4. Class action

Meaning

“Class action” es una demanda presentada por un grupo de personas con intereses comunes contra una parte, generalmente una empresa. Esta expresión es fundamental en el inglés jurídico para entender litigios colectivos.

Example

“The class action lawsuit was filed by the employees who were affected by the company’s discriminatory policies.”

5. Non-disclosure agreement (NDA)

Meaning

Un “Non-disclosure Agreement (NDA)” es un contrato que establece que las partes acuerdan no divulgar información confidencial compartida entre ellas. Es común en transacciones comerciales y colaboraciones.

Mastering these expressions is crucial for any legal professional working with contracts in English and in the field of legal English. Not only do they improve understanding of legal documents, but they also facilitate more effective communication in an international environment. If you are looking to improve your English skills for lawyers, be sure to familiarize yourself with these and other key idiomatic expressions.

Learning and understanding these expressions will give you a significant advantage in your legal career and allow you to confidently navigate the complex world of international law.

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Si se te dificulta dominar los aspectos clave de los contratos en inglés, nuestros Legal English courses son una opción ideal. Aprenderás terminología esencial, estructuras contractuales y claves para comunicarte en contextos legales internacionales.

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