Formal legal documents often contain archaic (=old fashioned) reference words that are very rarely used in non-legal contexts. These adjectives, prepositions and other examples of legalese are used to refer to time, place and result etc in connection with the documents in which they appear. Many jurisdictions now discourage the use of such terms, and favour the use of plain language wherever possible. However, as contracts and other legal documents often contain examples of legalese, it is important to be able to understand it. This quiz tests your knowledge of the complex language of legal referencing. NB The meanings of the missing words have been given after the gaps.

There are many different terms used to describe people who work in or for the law, as well as for people who become involved in the legal process. Different English speaking jurisdictions use different terms when referring to lawyers and other legal personnel, so where possible it is best to avoid country-specific terms. This quiz tests your knowledge of the terms used to describe people involved with the law.

An illegal act, especially a violation of the criminal law, is referred to as an offence (US: offense). An offender found guilty by a court may receive a punishment, such as a prison sentence or a fine. This quiz tests your knowledge of the words used to describe different offences. Choose the correct term for each of the offences described below. The definitions have been taken from TransLegal’s Legal English Dictionary.

Corporate governance is one of the major parts of company law. It deals with the rules, regulations, laws and processes by which companies are managed and regulated. The success of corporate governance arrangements in an organisation will depend on both external and internal factors. This quiz tests your knowledge of the language of corporate governance.

Corporate responsibility, sometimes referred to as corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a means of self-regulation incorporated into a company’s business model. In its broadest sense, corporate responsibility can be defined as the responsibility a company or institution has in respect to its stakeholders (=people with an interest or concern in a business). Such stakeholders include a company’s employees, its customers, the people who live near areas in which the company operates and people living in areas from which the company sources its resources. Corporate responsibility extends to the environment, local communities, employment procedures and its financial and ethical integrity. This quiz tests your knowledge of the language of corporate responsibility towards the environment.

Corporate responsibility, sometimes referred to as corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a means of self-regulation incorporated into a company’s business model. In its broadest sense, corporate responsibility can be defined as the responsibility a company or institution has in respect to its stakeholders (=people with an interest or concern in a business). Such stakeholders include a company’s employees, its customers, the people who live near areas in which the company operates and people living in areas from which the company sources its resources. Corporate responsibility extends to the environment, local communities, employment procedures and its financial and ethical integrity. This quiz tests your knowledge of the language of corporate responsibility towards communities.

The term malpractice refers to illegal, incompetent, negligent or dishonest behaviour on the part of a professional. If it can be shown that an instance of malpractice has caused an injury or loss, without which the injury or loss would not have happened, then the injured party may succeed in a malpractice claim. It is common for professionals such as lawyers, architects and doctors (or hospitals) to be insured against such claims. This quiz tests your knowledge of the language of malpractice law.

Company law is the body of law related to forming, registering, governing and dissolving companies, partnerships and other business organisations. Types of companies vary in their specific details depending on the jurisdiction in which they are incorporated. However, by far the most successful type of business organisation across the globe is the limited liability company, common to many jurisdictions. This quiz tests your knowledge of the Legal English of company law.

A punishment is a type of penalty, such as a prison sentence or a fine, imposed by a court on someone found guilty of a crime or liable for a tort. The term penalty is now most often used in civil cases and minor criminal cases to describe a type of punishment imposed by a court on someone who has broken a rule, regulation, law or agreement etc. This quiz tests your knowledge of the vocabulary of punishments and penalties.

An illegal act, especially a criminal wrong, is referred to as an offence (US: offense). An offender found guilty by a court may receive a punishment, such as a prison sentence or a fine. A civil wrong, known as a 'tort' in common law jurisdictions is remedied by awarding damages (=money compensation) to the injured party. In certain circumstances, such damages may be 'punitive' ie they are intended not only to compensate the injured party, but also to punish the wrongdoer. This quiz tests your knowledge of the language of criminal and civil wrongs.