Learning the legal lexicon of any language can be a challenging but rewarding endeavor, especially for those interested in law, international relations, or simply looking to expand their vocabulary. Azerbaijani, a Turkic language spoken primarily in Azerbaijan, has a rich collection of law and judiciary-related phrases. Here, we’ll explore some of the essential terms you might encounter in legal contexts within Azerbaijani-speaking regions.

Hüquq
This term translates to “right” or “law” and is used to denote legal entitlements or the legal system as a whole.
O öz hüquqlarını bilməlidir. (He should know his rights.)

Konstitusiya
The Azerbaijani word for “constitution,” referring to the supreme law of the land.
Azərbaycanın Konstitusiyası çox dəyişikliklər keçirdi. (The Constitution of Azerbaijan has undergone many changes.)

Məhkəmə
Meaning “court,” this word is used to refer to the place where justice is administered.
Məhkəmə prosesində şahid kimi çıxış etdim. (I testified as a witness in court.)

Hakim
This is the term for “judge” in Azerbaijani, the official who presides over court proceedings.
Hakim qərarını elan etdikdə, herkes sükut içində dinlədi. (When the judge announced his decision, everyone listened in silence.)

Vəkil
Equivalent to “lawyer” or “attorney,” this person is a trained legal professional who represents clients.
Mənim vəkilim mənim maraqlarımı müdafiə edəcək. (My lawyer will defend my interests.)

Dəlil
Translating to “evidence,” this word refers to material presented in court to support the facts of a case.
Prokuror dəlil kimi yeni sənədləri təqdim etdi. (The prosecutor presented new documents as evidence.)

İttihama cavabdehlik
Meaning “accused” or “defendant,” this is the person against whom legal action is being taken.
İttihama cavabdehlik məhkəmə zalına girdi. (The defendant entered the courtroom.)

Qanun
This word stands for “law” and refers specifically to legislation enacted by a governing body.
Yeni qanun bu ay parlament tərəfindən qəbul edildi. (The new law was passed by the parliament this month.)

İtiraz
“Objection” in Azerbaijani, it is used in court by lawyers who disagree with a procedure or piece of evidence.
Vəkil itirazını bildirdi və hakim onu qəbul etdi. (The lawyer made his objection, and the judge accepted it.)

Şahid
This term means “witness,” a person who gives testimony in a legal proceeding.
Şahid ifadəsini vermək üçün məhkəməyə çağırıldı. (The witness was called to the court to give their statement.)

Müdafiə
Equivalent to “defense,” this term is used in the context of protecting the accused in a legal trial.
Müdafiə vəkili öz mövqeyini güclü şəkildə irəli sürdü. (The defense attorney strongly presented their position.)

Bəraət
Meaning “acquittal,” it refers to a formal judgment that a person is not guilty of the crime they are accused of.
Məhkəmə ona bəraət qərarı verdi. (The court pronounced an acquittal for him.)

Məhkum
Translating to “convict” or “prisoner,” this term describes a person who has been found guilty of a crime.
Məhkum cəzaçəkmə müəssisəsinə köçürüldü. (The convict was transferred to the correctional facility.)

Cinayət
This term refers to a “crime,” an act that is punishable by law.
Bu, ağır cinayət hesab edilir. (This is considered a serious crime.)

İddia
Meaning “claim” or “allegation,” it is a statement made in court that someone has done something wrong.
İddia tərəfi dəlillərimizi sübut etməlidir. (The plaintiff side must prove our claims.)

Remember that learning a new language, especially its specialized legal terminology, requires patience and practice. Use these Azerbaijani law and judiciary-related phrases to deepen your understanding and appreciation of the language’s complexity and its legal system. Whether you’re a professional looking to work in Azerbaijan or a language enthusiast, familiarity with these terms can be incredibly useful and open doors to new opportunities.