General English, Legal Language, Legal Writing
Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Law University, Jaipur · LL.B. Semester 1 · 1.6
Unit I — FUNCTIONAL GRAMMAR AND ENGLISH LANGUAGE SKILLS
1.1 Use of Prepositions; Correction of errors in Sentences. · 1.2 Narration- Direct and Indirect Speech, Active and Passive Voice. · 1.3 Reading Comprehension. · 1.4 Precis writing. · 1.5 Translation: from English to Hindi and Hindi to English.
Unit II — LEGAL LANGUAGE
2.1 Legal language: meaning, scope and issues. · 2.2 Constitutional provisions relating to language. · 2.3 Comprehension and analysis of any two Supreme Court judgments. · 2.4 Selection of language in drafting of documents/ judgments. · 2.5 Language to be used in representations for grievance redressal.
Unit III — LEGAL VOCABULARY AND MAXIMS
3.1 Utility of legal vocabulary and maxims. · 3.2 Selection of legal vocabulary appropriate to situation and context. · 3.3 Illustrative list of legal vocabulary: Meaning and use in sentences Act of God, Affidavit, Adverse possession, Anticipatory Bail, Amicus curiae, Benefit of doubt, Civil rights, Compounding of offence, Contempt of Court, Constitutionality of an Act, Rarest of Rare, Per incurium, FIR, Natural justice, Secularism, Uniform Civil Code, Locus standi, Laissez-faire, · 3.4 Illustrative list of legal maxims and their meanings: 1. Actus non facit reum nisi mens sit rea (The act itself does not constitute guilt unless done with a guilt intent). 2. Actio personalis moritur cum persona (A personal right of action dies with the person). 3. Audi Alteram Partem (No man shall be condemned unheard). 4. Communis error facit jus (Common error sometimes makes law). 5. Delegatus non potest delegare (Delegate cannot further delegate). 6. Ex nudo pacto non oritur actio (No cause of action arises from a bare promise). 7. In pari delicto potior est condition defendentis (Where the parties are equally at guilt, the defendant is better placed). 8. Generalia specialibus non derogant (General things do not derogate from special things). 9. Ignorantia facti excusat, ignorantia juris non excusat (Ignorance of fact excuses, ignorance of law does not excuse). 10. Omnia praesumuntur contra spoliatorem (All things are presumed against a wrong doer). 11. Qui facit per alium facit per se (He who does an act through another is deemed in Law to do it himself). 12. Respondeat superior (Let the principal be held responsible). 13. Res ipsa loquitur (The thing itself speaks). 14. Sic utere tuo ut alienum non laedas (Enjoy your property in such a manner as not to injure that of another person). 15. Ubi jus ibi remedium (Every right has a remedy). 16. Volenti non fit injuria (Damage suffered by consent is not a cause of action). 17. Salus populi est suprema lex (Regard for the public welfare is the highest law). 18. Rex non-potest peccare (The king can do no wrong). 19. Vigilantibus non dormientibus, jura Subveniut (The laws give help to those who are vigilant and not to those who sleep over their rights). 20. Nemo debet esse judex in propria causa (No one ought to be a judge in his own cause). · 3.5 Legal colloquialisms and commonly used legal terms : Uncle judge syndrome, Pro bono publico, Doli incapax, Paper tiger.
Unit IV — FUNCTIONAL AND LEGAL WRITING
4.1 Importance of legal writing in the legal profession; Differences between legal writing and other forms of writing; Characteristics of good legal writing: clarity, conciseness, accuracy, and persuasiveness. · 4.2 Writing of case comments, reports, notices and memos. · 4.3 Writing official letters. · 4.4 Preparation of a personal Resume for professional purposes. · 4.5 Writing legal opinion-based short editorials.