Jargon to Plain English!

Your go-to glossary for decoding the law — in everyday language.

Below are 100+ legal terms, sorted alphabetically, with clear, plain-English explanations. These are ideal for:

• Accordion or dropdown cards
• Alphabetical listing with anchor links
• Tooltips or hover-text definitions
• Searchable glossary widget

A – D

Affidavit
A written statement confirmed by oath or notarization — used as evidence in court.

Arbitration
A way to settle disputes without going to court, using a neutral third party.

Assets
Anything you own that has value — money, property, stocks, etc.

Bankruptcy
A legal process that helps you clear or repay debts under court protection.

Beneficiary
The person who gets money or assets from a will, insurance, or trust.

Breach of Contract
Breaking the rules or terms of a contract.

Cease and Desist
A formal notice to stop doing something illegal or harmful.

Claim
A demand for money or action, often in lawsuits or insurance.

Class Action
A lawsuit brought by one person for a larger group of people.

Contract
A written or verbal agreement that the law will enforce.

Court Order
A written command from a judge that must be followed.

Custody
Legal right to care for or make decisions for a child.

Damages
Money awarded to someone who’s been hurt or wronged.

Defendant
The person or party being sued or accused in court.

Deposition
Sworn, recorded testimony given before a trial.

Dispute
A disagreement that may lead to legal action.

E – H

Emancipation
When a minor becomes legally independent from their parents.

Evidence
Facts or proof used to support a claim in court.

Eviction
The legal removal of a tenant from rental property.

Executor
The person who handles someone’s will after they die.

Felony
A serious crime, usually punishable by more than a year in prison.

Foreclosure
When a lender takes back property because the borrower stopped paying.

Garnishment
When money is taken from your paycheck to pay a debt.

Guardian
Someone appointed to care for a child or person who can’t manage for themselves.

Harassment
Unwanted, repeated behavior that causes fear or distress.

Hearing
A court meeting where both sides present their case to a judge.

I – L

Injunction
A court order to stop doing something (or sometimes to start doing something).

Intellectual Property (IP)
Creations of the mind like logos, inventions, and books — protected by law.

Interest
Money paid for borrowing money — or earned for lending.

Interrogatories
Written questions one party asks another during a lawsuit.

Judgment
The final decision in a lawsuit.

Jurisdiction
The court’s power to hear a case or enforce laws in a specific area.

Lease
A legal agreement to rent property.

Liability
Legal responsibility for something — like debt or damages.

Lien
A legal claim on someone’s property until a debt is paid.

Litigation
The legal process of taking a dispute to court.

Living Will
A document that states your healthcare wishes if you can’t speak for yourself.

M – P

Mediation
A process where a neutral person helps two sides reach an agreement.

Minor
Someone under the legal age of adulthood (usually 18).

Misdemeanor
A less serious crime — usually punishable by fines or up to a year in jail.

Motion
A formal request asking the court to do something.

Negligence
When someone fails to act with care, causing harm to another.

Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA)
A contract that keeps shared info confidential.

Notarize
To have a document officially verified by a notary public.

Paralegal
A trained legal assistant who supports lawyers.

Party
A person or group involved in a legal case.

Patent
Legal protection for an invention.

Perjury
Lying under oath — a serious crime.

Plaintiff
The person who starts a lawsuit.

Power of Attorney (POA)
A document that lets someone act legally on your behalf.

Precedent
A past court decision that helps guide future cases.

Probate
The legal process of handling a person’s estate after they die.

Q – T

Quash
To cancel or reject a legal action or subpoena.

Quiet Title
A legal action to resolve ownership issues over property.

Real Property
Land and anything permanently attached to it.

Restraining Order
A court order to keep someone away from another person.

Retainer
Upfront payment made to a lawyer to secure their services.

Settlement
An agreement between both sides to resolve a case before it goes to trial.

Small Claims Court
A simple, fast court for smaller disputes (usually under a set dollar limit).

Statute
A written law passed by a government body.

Statute of Limitations
The deadline to file a lawsuit.

Subpoena
A court order that requires someone to show up or provide evidence.

Tenant
A person who rents property from a landlord.

Testimony
Spoken or written evidence given under oath.

Trust
A legal setup where property is held by one person for someone else.

U – Z

Unlawful Detainer
A legal action a landlord uses to evict a tenant.

Verdict
The jury’s or judge’s final decision in a case.

Waiver
When someone gives up a right — usually in writing.

Will
A document that explains what should happen to your assets after you die.

Witness
Someone who sees or knows something relevant to a legal case.

Writ
A formal written order from a court.

Zoning
Laws that control what types of buildings can go in certain areas.