legalities
Formal procedural obligations
Legalities are the formal requirements of law—the details, procedures, and technicalities that must be observed for something to be legally valid.
The word often carries a slightly dismissive tone, suggesting bureaucratic obstacles rather than matters of justice: Let the lawyers handle the legalities.
Someone might complain about sorting through the legalities of a contract or estate.
Formally enacted laws
- ordinancesLocal government rules
- codesSystems for secrecy
- bylawsOrganization's internal regulations
- mandatesAuthoritative commands or requirements
directives · provisions · requirements · compliance · standards · guidelines · policies · protocols
Legal dispute process
- arbitrationNon-court binding dispute resolution
- mediationIntervention to resolve conflict
- adjudicationFormal decision on disputes
- depositionFormal testimony under oath
discovery · subpoena · pleadings · motions · injunction · appeal · docket · filing
Judicial examination of claims
- judgeOne who decides
- juryLegal decision-making body
- verdictOfficial court decision
- testimonySworn statement as evidence
plaintiff · defendant · prosecution · acquittal · gavel · courtroom · cross-examination · witness
Prior authoritative example
- doctrineEstablished body of teachings
- statuteEnacted written rule
- tortActionable civil harm
- liabilityLegal or financial obligation
jurisdiction · constitutional · statutory · equity · interpretation · codification · sovereignty · rights
Enforceable written agreements
- affidavitSworn written statement
- deedWritten property conveyance
- willsLegal inheritance documents
- notarizationOfficial document verification
filing · records · authentication · certification · attestation · seal · execution · witness
Licensed legal representative
- barristerUK courtroom advocate
- solicitorDocument-drafting legal professional
- counselExpert guidance offered
- advocatePublic cause supporter
litigator · notary · prosecutor · magistrate · clerk · jurist · retainer · disbarment
statutes
Formally enacted laws
- ordinancesLocal government rules
- codesSystems for secrecy
- bylawsOrganization's internal regulations
mandates · directives · provisions · requirements · compliance · standards · guidelines · policies · protocols · frameworks
litigation
Legal dispute process
- arbitrationNon-court binding dispute resolution
- mediationIntervention to resolve conflict
- adjudicationFormal decision on disputes
deposition · discovery · subpoena · pleadings · motions · injunction · appeal · docket · filing · settlement
trial
Judicial examination of claims
testimony · plaintiff · defendant · prosecution · acquittal · gavel · courtroom · cross-examination · witness · objection
precedent
Prior authoritative example
liability · jurisdiction · constitutional · statutory · equity · interpretation · codification · sovereignty · rights · remedy
contracts
Enforceable written agreements
notarization · filing · records · authentication · certification · attestation · seal · execution · witness · codicil
attorney
Licensed legal representative
- barristerUK courtroom advocate
- solicitorDocument-drafting legal professional
- counselExpert guidance offered
advocate · litigator · notary · prosecutor · magistrate · clerk · jurist · retainer · disbarment · chambers
legalitiesillegalities
Acts against the law
illegality · crimes · violations · infractions · criminal acts
legalitiesspirit of the law
A statute's underlying purpose
intent · substance · essence · injustices · principles
legalitiesinformalities
Unofficial, relaxed behaviors
substance · customs · practicalities · conventions · realities
legal, illegal, legitimate, legally, illegally, legality, legalization, illegality, paralegal