Occupational Language

Language in Law-

The interactions between lawyers is typically through spoken language if within the same chambers, or email. In these interactions, much lexical jargon is used due to the shared knowledge within the discourse community.
One example of this is in criminal law the terms 'mens rea' and 'actus reus', legal terms meaning 'guilty mind' and 'guilty act'. These terms are used to distinguish between what an offender has done and their thoughts/motive behind it.
Another example is used by judges or legal advisors within the courts to interpret statutes and laws. One term is 'ejusdem generis', meaning to draw meaning of other words from what is already known, and 'expression unius est exlussio alterus' meaning that expressed meaning of one word excludes others.

 

Some other examples of legal jargon include:

 

• Jurisdiction - the power to sentence a criminal
• Perjury - deliberately making material false or misleading statements while under oath
• Res Ipsa Loquiter - 'the thing speaks for itself'
• Aquittal - when the defendant is found not guilty

 

Another interaction within the legal profession would take place between lawyers and clients, usually in the form of letters or emails. Within this discourse, the lawyers may use subject specific lexis rather than jargon, as the client doesn't have specialist knowledge.

 

Some examples of subject specific lexis are:

• Case
• Charge
• Plea
• Breach
• Witnesses
• Evidence
• Prosecution
• Jury
• Bail