Learn the Lingo – 5 Terms Every Aspiring Legal Practitioner Should Know
- 7th May 2018
- Education and careers

So you’re thinking of becoming a legal practitioner but don’t have the time to binge-watch legal dramas like Suits?
Brush up on your legal lingo with this handy list of cool terminologies!
Tort Law
Tort law encompasses the set of laws that provides remedies to individuals who have suffered harm as a result of others’ wrongdoings, whether accidental or deliberate. Tort law covers a variety of civil lawsuits, including those against manufacturers, hospitals and even the media.
If you’re being sued and then lose in these lawsuits, you are required to compensate the victim with ‘damages’, which are usually monetary in nature.
Subpoena
A subpoena is a writ to compel a person to appear in court or legal hearings, or that specific documents be presented in a legal proceeding. The word originates from a Latin phrase which denotes “under penalty”, so if an individual fails to comply with a subpoena, he or she will be subject to punishment.
Prima Facie
Latin for “at first look” or “on its face”, prima facie means evidence suggesting that something is true upon initial inspection. Elements such as eyewitness accounts and video recordings may not be proof of a crime but can serve as prima facie proving one’s intent in committing the crime.
Habeas Corpus
Latin for “that you have the body”, this phrase refers to an appeal ordering an individual’s release from unlawful imprisonment or custody. This term is based on one of the most fundamental rights of a citizen, and it prevents the authorities from imprisoning people without attempting to demonstrate that they have committed a wrongdoing.
Pro Bono
If you’re a Good Samaritan, you might provide the underprivileged with pro bono services, which means work undertaken free of charge.
Pro bono services can often give legal practitioners a sense of fulfilment to their work and help them to gain a positive reputation within their community.
Learn dozens of other legal lingo with LSBF in Singapore’s Diploma in Law!
Suggested Programmes
Recommended Blogs for You
Unlocking the Secrets of Effective Corporate Governance: Insights from LLM Graduates
This article will explore insights from reputed professionals and renowned surveys on key factors in corporate governance, such as the…
What is it Like to be a Student in Singapore?
This article explores the unique educational experience in Singapore looking at both the exciting opportunities you can get involved in…
Should Indian Students Study in the United Kingdom or Singapore?
Obtaining a higher education certification is vital because it will boost your job profile, help advance your career, and provide…
Request More Information
Contact a programme advisor by calling
+65 6580 7700