Reference

Legal glossary

71 terms across 6 topics — plain-English definitions of the legal vocabulary you encounter in consumer rights disputes, tenancy agreements, court claims, redundancy, and employment law. Every definition cites the statute or rule behind it.

Definitions cover England & Wales civil law unless otherwise noted. Terms like limitation period, precedent, burden of proof, and vicarious liability are explained with their statutory source. Law changes — check the official text on legislation.gov.uk before relying on any definition.

71 Terms with source citations
6 Topic areas of law
England & Wales
71 of 71 terms
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FAQ

Common questions

What legal terms are in the glossary?
The glossary covers plain-language definitions of legal terms used in everyday UK civil law — such as limitation period, claimant, defendant, injunction, precedent, arbitration, burden of proof, statute of limitations, and more. Each definition cites its source statute or authoritative reference. The primary legislative sources are published on legislation.gov.uk.
What is the burden of proof?
The burden of proof is the obligation to produce enough evidence to prove a fact in dispute. In civil cases in England and Wales it falls on the claimant, and the standard is the balance of probabilities — meaning more likely true than not (over 50%). In criminal cases the prosecution bears the burden and must prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt. The party who bears the burden must provide evidence — silence or denial from the other side is not enough to win.
What is arbitration, and how is it different from court?
Arbitration is a private dispute resolution process where both parties agree to have a neutral arbitrator (or panel) decide the dispute. The arbitrator's decision — called an award — is legally binding and can be enforced through the courts under the Arbitration Act 1996. Unlike court hearings, arbitration is private, the parties choose the arbitrator, and the process is often faster. Many commercial contracts include an arbitration clause requiring disputes to go to arbitration rather than court. The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators publishes guidance on how the process works.
What is the doctrine of precedent?
Precedent (the doctrine of stare decisis) requires courts to follow legal decisions made by higher courts in earlier cases with the same facts or legal issue. In England and Wales, Supreme Court decisions bind all lower courts; Court of Appeal decisions bind the High Court and county courts. Precedent creates consistency — similar disputes are resolved the same way. All significant judgments are published free at BAILII and on the Judiciary website.
What is the difference between a statute and a regulation?
A statute is an Act of Parliament — primary legislation passed by both Houses and given Royal Assent (e.g. the Consumer Rights Act 2015). A regulation (statutory instrument or secondary legislation) is made by a minister using powers granted by a statute, to fill in technical detail (e.g. the National Minimum Wage Regulations). Both are legally binding. Statutes override regulations. All are published on legislation.gov.uk.
Do the definitions apply in Scotland or Northern Ireland?
Definitions are for England and Wales unless otherwise noted. Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate legal systems with different terminology in some areas. For Scottish legal terminology, the Scottish Courts website provides official guidance. For Northern Ireland, Courts and Tribunals Service Northern Ireland is the authoritative source.
Can I rely on these definitions in a legal document?
Definitions are general explanations of legal concepts — not advice on their application in your specific documents or case. The meaning of a term in a contract or legal document can vary by context. Always check the definition against the specific statute or rule that applies to your matter, and consult the official text on legislation.gov.uk.
Where do legal terms in international or European law come from?
Some legal terms used in England and Wales have roots in international instruments that the UK has ratified. Employment terms like collective bargaining and freedom of association derive partly from ILO Conventions. Human rights terms such as proportionality and margin of appreciation come from case law of the European Court of Human Rights. Terms in data protection law often mirror EU GDPR definitions, accessible via EUR-Lex. All definitions in this glossary note their primary source.
How do I find a specific term?
Use the search box at the top of the glossary to search by term or topic. You can also browse alphabetically or filter by topic area. Each term has its own page with a full definition, source citation, and links to related terms.