⚖ 22+ Legal Terms · 120+ Jurisdictions

Legal Glossary

Jurisdiction-specific definitions of key legal terms covering criminal, contract, corporate, property, IP, family, tax, and international law — with notes for India, UK, USA, UAE, EU and 120+ countries.

⚖️Criminal Law

Mens Rea

Mental element of a crime (guilty mind)

Actus Reus

Physical element of a crime (guilty act)

Habeas Corpus

Writ challenging unlawful detention

Bail

Conditional release pending trial

📄Contract Law

Force Majeure

Clause excusing performance on unforeseeable events

Indemnity

Obligation to compensate for specified losses

Liquidated Damages

Pre-agreed sum payable on breach

Specific Performance

Court order to perform contractual obligations

🏢Corporate Law

Ultra Vires

Acts beyond a company's authorised powers

Piercing the Corporate Veil

Holding shareholders personally liable

Beneficial Owner

Ultimate natural person who owns/controls an entity

💡Intellectual Property

Passing Off

Tort protecting unregistered goodwill

📊Tax Law

Transfer Pricing

Pricing of transactions between related parties

BEPS

Base Erosion and Profit Shifting — OECD framework

Permanent Establishment

Taxable nexus in a foreign country

🏛️Civil Procedure

Injunction

Court order to do or refrain from an act

Res Judicata

Bar on re-litigating decided matters

Locus Standi

Legal standing to bring proceedings

🏠Property Law

Adverse Possession

Acquiring title by long-term open possession

Easement

Right to use another's land for a specific purpose

👨‍👩‍👧Family Law

Alimony / Maintenance

Spousal financial support after separation

🌍International / ADR

Arbitration

Private binding dispute resolution

130+ terms and growing

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