General Legal Terms

Starting with the basics, let’s explore some general legal terms that are commonly used in the Malay language.

1. **Undang-undang** – This term translates to “law” and is fundamental to understanding the legal system.
2. **Mahkamah** – Meaning “court,” this term is essential when discussing legal proceedings.
3. **Peguam** – This translates to “lawyer” or “attorney,” referring to the professional who represents clients in legal matters.
4. **Hakim** – This term means “judge,” the person who presides over court proceedings.
5. **Perbicaraan** – Translating to “trial,” this term is used to describe the process where cases are heard and decided in court.
6. **Keputusan** – Meaning “verdict” or “decision,” this term is used to describe the outcome of a trial.
7. **Rayuan** – This term means “appeal,” referring to the process of challenging a court decision.
8. **Kesalahan** – Translating to “offense” or “crime,” this term is used to describe illegal actions.

Legal Documents

Legal documents are an integral part of the legal system, and understanding the terminology used in these documents is crucial.

1. **Kontrak** – This term means “contract,” a legally binding agreement between parties.
2. **Perjanjian** – Similar to “contract,” this term also translates to “agreement.”
3. **Saman** – Meaning “summons,” this term is used to describe a document issued by a court requiring someone to appear in court.
4. **Wasiat** – This term translates to “will,” a legal document outlining how a person’s assets should be distributed after their death.
5. **Surat Kuasa** – Meaning “power of attorney,” this term refers to a legal document that grants someone the authority to act on behalf of another person.
6. **Dokumen** – Translating to “document,” this term is used generally to refer to any legal document.
7. **Sijil** – Meaning “certificate,” this term is often used in the context of official legal documents like birth certificates or marriage certificates.

Criminal Law Terms

Understanding criminal law terms is essential for those interested in the criminal justice system.

1. **Jenayah** – This term translates to “crime,” referring to actions that are against the law.
2. **Penjenayah** – Meaning “criminal,” this term refers to a person who has committed a crime.
3. **Pendakwaan** – This term means “prosecution,” referring to the legal party responsible for presenting the case against an accused person.
4. **Pembelaan** – Translating to “defense,” this term is used to describe the legal party representing the accused.
5. **Hukuman** – Meaning “punishment” or “sentence,” this term describes the penalty imposed on someone found guilty of a crime.
6. **Penjara** – This term means “prison” or “jail,” where individuals convicted of crimes are held.
7. **Denda** – Translating to “fine,” this term refers to a monetary penalty imposed for an offense.
8. **Tahanan** – Meaning “detention” or “custody,” this term is used to describe the holding of individuals by authorities.

Civil Law Terms

Civil law terms are equally important, particularly for those dealing with non-criminal legal matters.

1. **Gugatan** – This term translates to “lawsuit,” referring to a legal action taken by one party against another.
2. **Plaintif** – Meaning “plaintiff,” this term refers to the party who initiates a lawsuit.
3. **Tergugat** – This term means “defendant,” the party against whom a lawsuit is filed.
4. **Ganti Rugi** – Translating to “compensation,” this term is used to describe the payment awarded to a plaintiff in a civil case.
5. **Liabiliti** – Meaning “liability,” this term refers to legal responsibility for one’s actions or omissions.
6. **Kontrak** – This term, which we encountered earlier, also plays a significant role in civil law as “contract.”
7. **Akaun Amanah** – Translating to “trust account,” this term is used in the context of managing assets on behalf of another party.

Family Law Terms

Family law is another critical area where specific legal terms are frequently used.

1. **Perceraian** – This term translates to “divorce,” the legal dissolution of a marriage.
2. **Penjagaan Anak** – Meaning “child custody,” this term refers to the legal arrangements for the care of children following a divorce.
3. **Nafkah** – This term means “alimony” or “maintenance,” referring to financial support provided to a spouse after divorce.
4. **Perwalian** – Translating to “guardianship,” this term is used to describe the legal responsibility for the care of a minor or incapacitated person.
5. **Hak Asuh** – Meaning “custodial rights,” this term refers to the legal rights of a parent or guardian over a child.
6. **Perkahwinan** – This term translates to “marriage,” referring to the legally recognized union of two people.

Property Law Terms

Understanding property law terms is essential for those involved in real estate and property transactions.

1. **Hartanah** – This term means “property” or “real estate,” referring to land and buildings.
2. **Pemilikan** – Translating to “ownership,” this term is used to describe the legal right to possess and use property.
3. **Hak Milik** – Meaning “title” or “deed,” this term refers to the legal document that proves ownership of property.
4. **Sewa** – This term translates to “lease” or “rent,” referring to the agreement for the use of property in exchange for payment.
5. **Pajakan** – Meaning “mortgage,” this term refers to the legal agreement by which a bank or creditor lends money at interest in exchange for taking the title of the debtor’s property.
6. **Pindah Milik** – Translating to “transfer of ownership,” this term is used in the context of transferring property from one person to another.
7. **Hak Guna** – Meaning “usufruct,” this term refers to the right to use and derive profit from property that belongs to another person, provided the property is not damaged.

Business Law Terms

Business law encompasses a wide range of legal terms crucial for entrepreneurs and business professionals.

1. **Syarikat** – This term translates to “company” or “corporation,” referring to a legal entity formed to conduct business.
2. **Penggabungan** – Meaning “merger,” this term refers to the combining of two companies into one.
3. **Pengambilalihan** – This term means “acquisition,” referring to the process of one company purchasing another.
4. **Pemegang Saham** – Translating to “shareholder,” this term refers to an individual or entity that owns shares in a company.
5. **Lembaga Pengarah** – Meaning “board of directors,” this term refers to the group of individuals elected to represent shareholders and oversee the company’s activities.
6. **Keuntungan** – This term translates to “profit,” referring to the financial gain made in business after expenses are deducted.
7. **Liabiliti Terhad** – Meaning “limited liability,” this term refers to the legal protection that limits the financial liability of shareholders to the amount they invested in the company.

Employment Law Terms

Employment law terms are essential for understanding the legal aspects of the employer-employee relationship.

1. **Pekerja** – This term means “employee,” referring to an individual who works for another person or entity in exchange for wages or salary.
2. **Majikan** – Translating to “employer,” this term refers to a person or entity that hires employees.
3. **Kontrak Kerja** – Meaning “employment contract,” this term refers to the agreement between an employer and employee outlining the terms of employment.
4. **Gaji** – This term translates to “salary” or “wages,” referring to the payment made to an employee for their work.
5. **Faedah** – Meaning “benefits,” this term refers to additional compensation provided to employees, such as health insurance or retirement plans.
6. **Pemberhentian Kerja** – Translating to “termination of employment,” this term refers to the end of an employee’s contract with an employer.
7. **Diskriminasi** – This term means “discrimination,” referring to unfair treatment of employees based on factors such as race, gender, or age.

Intellectual Property Law Terms

Intellectual property law terms are crucial for those involved in creative industries and innovation.

1. **Harta Intelek** – This term translates to “intellectual property,” referring to creations of the mind, such as inventions, literary and artistic works, and symbols.
2. **Paten** – Meaning “patent,” this term refers to the exclusive rights granted to an inventor for their invention.
3. **Cap Dagangan** – This term means “trademark,” referring to a recognizable sign, design, or expression that identifies products or services.
4. **Hak Cipta** – Translating to “copyright,” this term refers to the exclusive rights granted to the creator of original works.
5. **Rahsia Dagangan** – Meaning “trade secret,” this term refers to confidential business information that provides a competitive edge.
6. **Lesen** – This term translates to “license,” referring to the legal permission granted to use intellectual property.
7. **Pelanggaran** – Meaning “infringement,” this term refers to the unauthorized use of intellectual property.

International Law Terms

International law terms are essential for understanding the legal aspects of relations between countries.

1. **Perjanjian Antarabangsa** – This term translates to “international treaty,” referring to an agreement between countries that is legally binding under international law.
2. **Diplomasi** – Meaning “diplomacy,” this term refers to the practice of managing international relations.
3. **Hak Asasi Manusia** – This term means “human rights,” referring to the fundamental rights and freedoms that all individuals are entitled to.
4. **Pertubuhan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu** – Translating to “United Nations,” this term refers to the international organization founded to promote peace and cooperation among countries.
5. **Mahkamah Keadilan Antarabangsa** – Meaning “International Court of Justice,” this term refers to the principal judicial body of the United Nations.
6. **Ekstradisi** – This term translates to “extradition,” referring to the legal process of surrendering an individual from one country to another for prosecution or punishment.
7. **Kedaulatan** – Meaning “sovereignty,” this term refers to the authority of a state to govern itself without external interference.

Conclusion

Understanding legal terms in the Malay language is crucial for anyone involved in legal matters in Malaysia or other Malay-speaking regions. This comprehensive guide provides a solid foundation for navigating the legal landscape, whether you are a legal professional, a business person, or simply someone interested in learning more about the legal system. By familiarizing yourself with these terms, you will be better equipped to understand legal documents, participate in legal discussions, and navigate the complexities of the legal system in Malay-speaking countries.