Handbook of Legal Language

Abhijeet Ambadas Joshi

Abstract

Handbook of Legal Language

Preface to Second Edition

Two years have passed since publication of the first edition under the title Student’s Handbook of Legal Language. The book has received overwhelming response from students, legal professionals, non-legal professionals and lay people. This has encouraged the publisher and me to go for the second edition. The book has been renamed as ‘Handbook of Legal Language’ for its second edition to bring aptness to what it caters.

In these two years I have received suggestions relating to simplification, inclusion of few more terms and maxims, and inclusion of Legal Essays. Since publication of the first edition, I have been working on simple English in law. In this edition, I have strived to simplify the text to achieve wider acceptance. In the first edition, wherever any statutory provisions were referred, I had given those as they are. In this edition, for better understanding, I have put the provisions in simple language by avoiding the complexness of the statutory language. However, the reader should refer to the bare text of the legal provisions to crosscheck and ensure the exact language employed in the provisions.

In this edition, following terms and maxims are new: abetment, abduct, acquiesce, alibi, judgment in personam, judgment in rem, legal representative, pollution, representative, res sub judice, workman, omnis ratihabitio retrotrahiur et mandato priori aequiparatur, stare decisis et non quieta movere. In the first edition, the chapters were titled as 'Section'. In this edition I have titled the chapters as 'Chapter.' In this edition I have also added a chapter on Legal Essays containing ten essays. The subjects of the essays have been chosen randomly from important issues studied by me in my academic career.

While writing the first and this edition I have been fortunate to be guided by many people. I am grateful to Hon'ble District Judge Mr. Mahesh Lovekar. His suggestions proved valuable for the book. He took time out from his busy schedule to read the draft and correct the mistakes. I am grateful to Mr. Mahesh Vitekar, from Aurangabad for helping me simplify the book. I am also thankful to the publisher Mr. Ramesh Sethi of Hind Law House.

Thanks are due to many Advocates and sitting and retired Honourable Judges who have read the manuscript of the book and encouraged me with their guidance and suggestions. I would therefore be thankful and apologetic to all such honourable individuals who have obliged me by their valuable guidance but whose names I cannot mention here for reasons. I remain under their everlasting obligation.

Abhijeet Ambadas Joshi

Advocate

B.Com., LL.M., PGDCL

Date: 11th July, 2009