The French legal system has its own set of vocabulary that is essential for understanding legal documents, procedures, and discussions. This page covers basic legal terms suitable for A1-A2 learners, bridging everyday language and legal contexts.
- A1-A2
- Lawyer and Legal Professions
- Courts and Judicial System
- Common Legal Terms
- Legal Actions and Procedures
- Contracts and Agreements
- Rights and Obligations
- Criminal Law Vocabulary
- Civil Law Vocabulary
- Important Documents
- Conclusion
A1-A2
The A1-A2 levels in French correspond to beginner and elementary stages, where learners can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic legal terms that relate to common situations.
- A1: Can recognize and use simple legal words like avocat (lawyer), loi (law), tribunal (court).
- A2: Can understand short legal texts, simple contracts, and basic procedural terms.
A1-A2 learners can recognize basic legal terms and understand simple concepts, but not complex texts.
Lawyer and Legal Professions
| French | English | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Avocat(e) | Lawyer | Legal professional who represents clients |
| Juge | Judge | Person who presides over court cases |
| Notaire | Notary | Official who authenticates documents |
| Procureur | Prosecutor | Lawyer who presents the case for the state |
| Greffier | Clerk | Court official who manages records |
- Avocat(e): The person who defends or advises you in legal matters.
- Juge: The person in charge of making decisions in court.
- Notaire: Ensures that important documents are legally binding.
- Procureur: Presents evidence against the accused in criminal cases.
- Greffier: Keeps track of everything that happens during a trial.
Avocat(e) are the lawyers who represent clients.
A 'notaire' authenticates legal documents.
Courts and Judicial System
| French | English | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Tribunal | Court | Place where legal cases are heard |
| Cour de justice | Court of Justice | Highest court for major legal decisions |
| Audience | Hearing | Session where a case is presented |
| Plaidoirie | Pleading | Lawyer's speech to convince the judge/jury |
| Verdict | Verdict | Decision given by the judge or jury |
- Tribunal: The building or institution where judges work.
- Cour de justice: The top court for important legal matters.
- Audience: When everyone gathers to discuss the case.
- Plaidoirie: What lawyers say to persuade the judge.
- Verdict: The final decision in the case.
'Audience' means 'hearing'.
A 'tribunal' is a court.
Common Legal Terms
| French | English | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Loi | Law | A rule established by the government |
| Contrat | Contract | A legal agreement between parties |
| Justice | Justice | Fair treatment under the law |
| Procédure | Procedure | The steps followed in a legal process |
| Sanction | Sanction/Penalty | Punishment for breaking a law |
- Loi: Rules everyone must follow.
- Contrat: When two or more people agree on something and promise to do it.
- Justice: Fairness in the legal system.
- Procédure: How things are done in court.
- Sanction: The consequence if you break the rules.
Loi means 'law'.
'Contrat' means contract, a type of agreement.
Legal Actions and Procedures
| French | English | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Plaider | To plead | To present a case in court |
| Poursuivre | To sue/prosecute | To start legal action against someone |
| Juger | To judge | To make a legal decision |
| Faire appel | To appeal | To challenge a court decision |
| Signer | To sign | To put your signature on a document |
- Plaider: When lawyers argue their case.
- Poursuivre: Taking someone to court.
- Juger: Deciding if someone is right or wrong.
- Faire appel: Asking for a second opinion on a decision.
- Signer: Writing your name to agree.
'Faire appel' means to appeal.
'Poursuivre' means to sue or prosecute.
Contracts and Agreements
| French | English | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Contrat | Contract | Legal agreement between two or more parties |
| Accord | Agreement | Mutual understanding between parties |
| Clause | Clause | Specific provision in a contract |
| Engagement | Commitment | Promise to do something |
| Signature | Signature | Written approval |
- Contrat/Accord: When people agree on something legally.
- Clause: A detailed rule in the contract.
- Engagement: A promise you won’t break.
- Signature: Your name showing you agree.
A 'clause' is a specific provision in a contract.
'Contrat' is the French word for contract.
Rights and Obligations
| French | English | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Droit | Right | Legal entitlement |
| Obligation | Obligation | Duty or responsibility |
| Citoyen(ne) | Citizen | Member of a state with rights |
| Protection | Protection | Safeguard under the law |
| Résidence | Residence | Legal place of living |
- Droit: What you are allowed to do.
- Obligation: What you must do.
- Citoyen(ne): A person with legal rights in a country.
- Protection: Safety provided by laws.
- Résidence: Where you are legally allowed to live.
'Droit' means right; 'obligation' means duty.
'Obligation' means duty.
Criminal Law Vocabulary
| French | English | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Crime | Crime | Serious offense against the law |
| Délit | Misdemeanor | Less serious offense |
| Suspect | Suspect | Person believed to be involved |
| Procès | Trial | Court hearing to decide guilt |
| Peine | Sentence/Penalty | Punishment given by the court |
- Crime: Breaking the law in a serious way.
- Délit: A smaller crime.
- Suspect: Someone the police think may be guilty.
- Procès: When you go to court to prove if you’re guilty or not.
- Peine: What you get if you lose the case (jail, fine, etc.).
'Procès' means trial.
'Peine' is the sentence or penalty.
Civil Law Vocabulary
| French | English | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Litige | Dispute | Conflict requiring legal resolution |
| Dommage | Damage | Harm or loss caused to someone |
| Réclamation | Claim | Demand for payment or compensation |
| Divorce | Divorce | Legal end of a marriage |
| Héritage | Inheritance | Property passed down after death |
- Litige: When two parties disagree and need a judge.
- Dommage: What you suffer when something goes wrong.
- Réclamation: Asking for what you think you deserve.
- Divorce: Ending a marriage legally.
- Héritage: What you receive when a relative passes away.
'Litige' means dispute.
'Dommage' means damage or harm.
Important Documents
| French | English | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Contrat | Contract | Agreement between parties |
| Acte de naissance | Birth certificate | Official proof of birth |
| Carte d'identité | Identity card | Official document proving identity |
| Titre de propriété | Title deed | Document proving ownership |
| Testament | Will | Document stating wishes for inheritance |
- Contrat: Written agreement.
- Acte de naissance: Shows when and where you were born.
- Carte d'identité: Used to prove who you are.
- Titre de propriété: Shows you own a house or land.
- Testament: Says who gets your stuff after you die.
'Testament' is a will.
An 'acte de naissance' is a birth certificate.
Conclusion
French legal vocabulary connects language with justice and society. Mastering these terms empowers you to navigate legal matters with confidence.
- Legal terms clarify how justice works in France.
- Knowing vocabulary aids in understanding contracts and court cases.
- Basic legal French is useful for travel, work, and study.
It helps you understand justice and legal documents.
A1-A2