General Legal Terms

Understanding general legal terms is crucial for anyone who wants to engage with Hungarian legal texts or proceedings. Below are some of the most commonly used terms:

1. Törvény (Law)
– The term “törvény” refers to a law or statute enacted by the legislative body. For example, “Magyarország Alaptörvénye” translates to “The Fundamental Law of Hungary,” which is the country’s constitution.

2. Jog (Right/Law)
– “Jog” can mean both a right (as in human rights) and law in a more general sense. For example, “emberi jogok” translates to “human rights.”

3. Rendelet (Decree)
– A “rendelet” is a decree or regulation usually issued by an administrative authority. For example, a government can issue a “kormányrendelet” (government decree).

4. Határozat (Decision)
– This term refers to a formal decision, often used in the context of court rulings or administrative decisions.

5. Bíróság (Court)
– The term “bíróság” is used to refer to the court as an institution. For example, “felsőbíróság” is the “Supreme Court.”

Key Players in the Legal System

Understanding who is who in the Hungarian legal system can help you navigate legal texts and proceedings more effectively.

1. Ügyvéd (Lawyer)
– An “ügyvéd” is a lawyer or attorney who represents clients in legal matters. They provide legal advice and represent clients in court.

2. Ügyész (Prosecutor)
– An “ügyész” is a prosecutor responsible for presenting the case against an individual accused of a crime.

3. Bíró (Judge)
– A “bíró” is a judge who presides over court proceedings and has the authority to make legal decisions and judgments.

4. Jogi tanácsadó (Legal Advisor)
– This term refers to a legal advisor who provides specialized legal advice on various matters.

5. Védőügyvéd (Defense Attorney)
– A “védőügyvéd” is a defense attorney responsible for defending the accused in criminal proceedings.

Types of Law

Different types of law govern various aspects of society. Knowing these categories can help you understand the context of legal discussions.

1. Polgári jog (Civil Law)
– “Polgári jog” refers to civil law, which governs private relationships between individuals, such as contracts, property, and family law.

2. Büntetőjog (Criminal Law)
– “Büntetőjog” is criminal law, which deals with crimes and their punishments.

3. Kereskedelmi jog (Commercial Law)
– This term refers to commercial law, which governs business and commercial transactions.

4. Munkajog (Labor Law)
– “Munkajog” is labor law, which deals with employment relationships, including workers’ rights and employer obligations.

5. Alkotmányjog (Constitutional Law)
– “Alkotmányjog” refers to constitutional law, which deals with the fundamental principles and structures of the state.

Legal Procedures and Documents

Familiarity with legal procedures and documents is vital for understanding how the Hungarian legal system operates.

1. Per (Lawsuit)
– A “per” is a lawsuit or legal action initiated by one party against another in a court of law.

2. Szerződés (Contract)
– A “szerződés” is a contract, a legally binding agreement between two or more parties.

3. Végrendelet (Will)
– A “végrendelet” is a will, a legal document outlining how a person’s assets should be distributed after their death.

4. Beadvány (Petition)
– A “beadvány” is a petition or application submitted to a court or other legal authority.

5. Fellebbezés (Appeal)
– A “fellebbezés” is an appeal, a request for a higher court to review and change the decision of a lower court.

Common Legal Phrases

Certain phrases are commonly used in legal contexts and are essential for understanding legal documents and proceedings.

1. Joghatóság (Jurisdiction)
– “Joghatóság” refers to the authority of a court or legal body to hear a case and make legal decisions.

2. Jogerős (Final/Binding)
– “Jogerős” means that a decision is final and binding, with no further appeals possible.

3. Eljárás (Procedure)
– “Eljárás” refers to the legal procedure or process followed in legal matters.

4. Előzetes letartóztatás (Pre-trial Detention)
– This phrase refers to the detention of an accused person before the trial has taken place.

5. Alperes (Defendant)
– An “alperes” is a defendant, the person against whom a legal action is brought.

Property and Real Estate Terms

Property and real estate law have their own specialized vocabulary that is important for anyone dealing with property transactions in Hungary.

1. Ingatlan (Real Estate)
– “Ingatlan” refers to real estate or immovable property, such as land and buildings.

2. Tulajdonjog (Ownership)
– “Tulajdonjog” means ownership or the legal right to possess and use property.

3. Adásvételi szerződés (Sale and Purchase Agreement)
– This term refers to a sale and purchase agreement, a contract for the sale of real estate.

4. Haszonélvezet (Usufruct)
– “Haszonélvezet” is the right to use and enjoy the benefits of someone else’s property without owning it.

5. Jelzálog (Mortgage)
– A “jelzálog” is a mortgage, a legal agreement by which a bank lends money in exchange for taking the title of the debtor’s property.

Family Law Terms

Family law deals with matters related to family relationships, and understanding these terms is crucial for anyone involved in such legal issues.

1. Házasság (Marriage)
– “Házasság” is the term for marriage, a legally recognized union between two people.

2. Válás (Divorce)
– “Válás” refers to divorce, the legal dissolution of a marriage.

3. Gyermekelhelyezés (Child Custody)
– This term refers to child custody, the legal arrangement regarding the care and control of a child.

4. Tartásdíj (Alimony/Child Support)
– “Tartásdíj” can refer to alimony or child support, the financial support paid to a former spouse or for the care of a child.

5. Öröklés (Inheritance)
– “Öröklés” is inheritance, the process by which property is passed on after someone’s death.

Criminal Law Terms

Criminal law has its own set of specialized terms that are important for understanding criminal proceedings and charges.

1. Bűncselekmény (Crime)
– “Bűncselekmény” refers to a crime or criminal offense.

2. Vádlott (Accused)
– A “vádlott” is the accused, the person charged with a crime.

3. Tanú (Witness)
– A “tanú” is a witness, someone who gives testimony in a legal proceeding.

4. Ítélet (Sentence)
– “Ítélet” refers to the sentence or judgment handed down by a court.

5. Szabadságvesztés (Imprisonment)
– “Szabadságvesztés” means imprisonment, the state of being incarcerated as a punishment for a crime.

Terms Related to Contracts

Contracts are a fundamental aspect of legal dealings, and knowing these terms can help you understand and draft legal agreements.

1. Megállapodás (Agreement)
– “Megállapodás” is an agreement, a mutual arrangement between parties.

2. Feltétel (Condition)
– “Feltétel” refers to a condition or stipulation in a contract.

3. Kötelezettség (Obligation)
– “Kötelezettség” is an obligation, a legal duty to do or not do something.

4. Szavatosság (Warranty)
– “Szavatosság” refers to a warranty, a guarantee provided by one party to another.

5. Szerződésszegés (Breach of Contract)
– This term refers to a breach of contract, the failure to fulfill the terms of a contract.

Administrative Law Terms

Administrative law governs the activities of administrative agencies and includes terms that are important for understanding governmental procedures.

1. Engedély (Permit)
– “Engedély” is a permit or license granted by a governmental authority.

2. Hatóság (Authority)
– “Hatóság” refers to an authority or agency responsible for enforcing laws and regulations.

3. Felügyelet (Supervision)
– “Felügyelet” means supervision or oversight, often in the context of regulatory compliance.

4. Szabályozás (Regulation)
– “Szabályozás” is regulation, the act of controlling or governing according to rules or laws.

5. Hivatal (Office)
– “Hivatal” refers to an office or bureau, typically a governmental or administrative office.

Conclusion

Understanding legal terms in Hungarian is crucial for anyone involved in legal matters in Hungary. Whether you are drafting a contract, dealing with a property transaction, or navigating a court case, familiarity with these terms can significantly aid your comprehension and effectiveness.

This comprehensive guide has covered some of the most commonly used legal terms across various domains, including general legal terms, key players in the legal system, types of law, legal procedures and documents, property and real estate terms, family law terms, criminal law terms, contract-related terms, and administrative law terms. By mastering these terms, you will be better equipped to understand and engage with the Hungarian legal system.