4 Legal English

Send us Fan Mail On the docket today, we look at how to explain a legal term clearly to a client without sounding overly technical or imprecise. You’ll learn a simple approach for defining legal concepts in plain English, giving useful context, and checking that the client understands what the term means in practice. This episode is part of 4LE in 4 Minutes, a short-form series designed to teach one practical Legal English skill, phrase, or concept in just a few minutes. These shorter e...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of 4LE in 4 Minutes, we look at a common Legal English mistake: saying “the court decided guilty.” You’ll learn why this sounds unnatural, when to use found guilty, and how lawyers use verbs like found, held, and decided when discussing court decisions. This short lesson will help you describe criminal verdicts, civil liability, and legal conclusions more clearly and professionally. Free Legal English PDF: Download 10 Common Legal English Mistakes — an...

Send us Fan Mail On the docket today, we explain the phrase “without prejudice”—what it means, when lawyers use it, and why it matters during settlement negotiations and other legal discussions. You’ll learn how the phrase can affect whether certain communications may later be used in court, as well as some important limits to the protection it provides. This episode is part of 4LE in 4 Minutes, a new series of short Legal English episodes designed to explain one useful legal term, phra...

Send us Fan Mail On the docket today, we look at how lawyers can communicate clearly once a virtual negotiation is underway. We discuss using short sentences, signposting, and summaries; managing interruptions, silence, and technical delays; and avoiding pressure to respond before you are ready. We also examine how to distinguish proposals, offers, counteroffers, and acceptance, clarify authority and client approval, and confirm exactly what has—and has not—been agreed. Finally, we look at th...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of 4 Legal English in 4 Minutes, we explain the legal English word liable. You’ll learn why liable does not simply mean guilty, how lawyers use it in civil cases, and how to use phrases like held liable and liable for damages correctly. Free Legal English PDF: Download 10 Common Legal English Mistakes — and How to Avoid Them here. Learn more about 4 Legal English: Visit 4LegalEnglish.com to find more podcast episodes, Legal English lessons, free resour...