Lawyers' Latin: A Vade-Mecum

by John Gray philosopher; Oxford University

Updated and expanded, this invaluable reference book was originally written as an aid for those disadvantaged by the deteriorating standing of Latin in our education system and by its use as legal terminology. Professional and comprehensive, yet lighthearted, it is immensely readable and has assumed a readership far beyond the lawyers for whom it was primarily designed to assist. All those interested in or curious about Latin may like to dip in to discover such particularly succinct phrases as uberrimae fidei (of the utmost [good] faith), in tenebris (in the dark), doli capax (capable, legally, of wrong or fraud) or mala fide (in bad faith). Few learn Latin in school and young lawyers with minimal knowledge of the language will experience considerable difficulty as they continue to meet it, particularly in old reported cases, academic articles, statutes and in decisions of EC institutions and even falling from the lips of renegade judges. When Latin brings progress and comprehension to a halt, what then? Reach for Lawyers' Latin.

Genres: Law, Nonfiction, Reference

144 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2002

Reviews

[Mickey · Rating 5 out of 5]

nice pocketbook sized book containing alphabetically categorised Latin terms. It is small, but it's a good tool to use for quick reference. I own a few dictionaries, and they are very large and it's an effort to look through at any one time, but with this book it's all specifically one area - law definitions making it easier. Interestingly, after reading through a good portion of this book, it made me think over the subject of law, Latin (as a dead language) and why a lot of these, and other Latin words, are still used today. In the book's foreword, it states that the 'occasional use of Latin conveys superiority', and this may be very well be a reason, or perhaps one of many, that it is seemingly reserved for those in a position of law

[Kaustubh R. Mone · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fabulously entertaining and enlightening work - I used many of the phrases described in it to score points in moot court competitions during my Law school days, but the beauty of the book is that those phrases stay with you, creep under your skin, and get used without you ever noticing or trying hard. A true gem. A true vade mecum!