Winner, 2019 Global Legal Skills Book Award, given by the Global
Legal Skills Conference
An essential handbook for international lawyers and students
Focusing on vocabulary, Essential Legal English in Context introduces
the US legal system and its terminology. Designed especially for
foreign-trained lawyers and students whose first language is not
English, the book is a must-read for those who want to expand their US
legal vocabulary and basic understanding of US government. Ross uses a
unique approach by selecting legal terms that arise solely within the
context of the levels and branches of US government, including
terminology related to current political issues such as partisanship.
Inspired by her students' questions over her years of teaching, she
includes a vast collection of legal vocabulary, concepts, idioms, and
phrasal verbs and unpacks concepts embedded in US case law, such as how
the US constitutional separation of powers may affect a court's
interpretation of the law. The handbook differentiates basic terms in
civil and criminal cases and compares terms that may seem similar
because of close spellings but in fact have different meanings. For
instance, what is the distinction between "taking the stand" and "taking
a stand?" What is the difference between "treaties" and "treatises"?
Featuring illustrations and hands-on exercises, Essential Legal English
in Context is a valuable self-study resource for those who want to
improve their legal English terminology before entering a US law school,
studying US law or government, or working as a seconded attorney to a US
law firm. Instructors can use the handbook in an introductory US legal
English course.
