General Legal Terms

Understanding general legal terms is fundamental for anyone dealing with legal matters. These terms are frequently encountered in various types of legal documents, from contracts to court rulings.

Lei – This is the Portuguese word for “law.” It is a crucial term that you will encounter frequently.

Advogado / Advogada – These terms refer to a “lawyer” or “attorney” in Portuguese. “Advogado” is used for males, and “Advogada” is used for females.

Tribunal – This word means “court.” It is where legal cases are heard and decided.

Juiz / Juíza – These terms refer to a “judge.” “Juiz” is used for males, and “Juíza” is used for females.

Jurisprudência – This term refers to “jurisprudence” or the theory and philosophy of law. It is often used to describe the collection of past legal decisions that guide future cases.

Processo – This word means “process” or “case.” It refers to the proceedings in a legal action.

Sentença – This term means “sentence” or “judgment.” It is the final decision made by a judge or court.

Contractual Terms

Contracts are a fundamental part of legal dealings, and understanding the terminology is crucial for anyone entering into a legal agreement.

Contrato – This is the Portuguese word for “contract.” It is an agreement between two or more parties that is enforceable by law.

Parte – This term means “party” and refers to the individuals or entities involved in a contract or legal proceeding.

Cláusula – This word means “clause.” It refers to a specific provision or section within a contract.

Obrigações – This term means “obligations.” It refers to the duties or responsibilities that each party has under a contract.

Direitos – This word means “rights.” It refers to the legal entitlements of the parties involved in a contract.

Rescisão – This term means “termination” or “rescission.” It refers to the ending of a contract before its completion.

Indenização – This word means “compensation” or “indemnity.” It refers to the payment made to cover losses or damages.

Criminal Law Terms

Criminal law has its own set of terms that are essential for understanding legal proceedings involving crimes.

Crime – This is the Portuguese word for “crime.” It refers to an act that is against the law and punishable by the state.

Delito – This term also means “offense” or “crime,” but it is often used to refer to less severe crimes.

Réu / Ré – These terms refer to the “defendant” in a criminal case. “Réu” is used for males, and “Ré” is used for females.

Acusação – This word means “accusation.” It refers to the formal charge against someone alleging they committed a crime.

Defesa – This term means “defense.” It refers to the legal representation and argument presented by the defendant and their lawyer.

Prova – This word means “evidence.” It refers to the information and materials presented in court to support or refute an accusation.

Condenação – This term means “conviction.” It refers to the formal declaration that someone is guilty of a crime.

Absolvição – This word means “acquittal.” It refers to the formal declaration that someone is not guilty of a crime.

Civil Law Terms

Civil law deals with disputes between individuals or organizations and includes areas such as family law, property law, and contract law.

Ação – This term means “action” or “lawsuit.” It refers to the legal proceedings initiated by one party against another.

Requerente – This word means “plaintiff.” It refers to the party who initiates a lawsuit.

Requerido – This term means “defendant” in a civil case. It refers to the party against whom the lawsuit is brought.

Petição – This word means “petition.” It refers to the formal written request to the court asking for a specific legal action.

Decisão – This term means “decision.” It refers to the ruling or judgment made by a court in a legal case.

Apelação – This word means “appeal.” It refers to the process of requesting a higher court to review and change the decision of a lower court.

Custas – This term means “costs.” It refers to the expenses associated with legal proceedings, including court fees and attorney fees.

Family Law Terms

Family law encompasses legal issues related to family relationships, such as marriage, divorce, and child custody.

Casamento – This is the Portuguese word for “marriage.” It refers to the legal union of two individuals.

Divórcio – This term means “divorce.” It refers to the legal dissolution of a marriage.

Guarda – This word means “custody.” It refers to the legal right to take care of and make decisions for a child.

Pensão Alimentícia – This term means “alimony” or “child support.” It refers to the financial support provided to a spouse or child after a divorce.

Separação de Bens – This phrase means “separation of property.” It refers to the division of assets between spouses during a divorce.

Tutela – This word means “guardianship.” It refers to the legal responsibility for the care of a minor or incapacitated person.

Property Law Terms

Property law deals with issues related to the ownership and use of real estate and personal property.

Imóvel – This is the Portuguese word for “real estate” or “property.” It refers to land and anything permanently attached to it.

Propriedade – This term means “ownership.” It refers to the legal right to possess and use property.

Hipoteca – This word means “mortgage.” It refers to a loan secured by real estate.

Escritura – This term means “deed.” It refers to the legal document that transfers ownership of property from one person to another.

Registro – This word means “registration.” It refers to the official recording of property ownership and other legal documents.

Posse – This term means “possession.” It refers to the actual holding or occupancy of property.

Usucapião – This word means “adverse possession.” It refers to the process by which someone can acquire ownership of property through continuous and open use over a certain period.

Business and Corporate Law Terms

Understanding legal terms related to business and corporate law is essential for anyone involved in the commercial sector.

Empresa – This is the Portuguese word for “company” or “business.” It refers to an organization engaged in commercial activities.

Sociedade – This term means “corporation” or “partnership.” It refers to a legal entity formed by a group of people to engage in business activities.

Ação – This word also means “share” or “stock.” It refers to a unit of ownership in a corporation.

Estatuto – This term means “bylaws.” It refers to the rules and regulations governing the operations of a corporation.

Diretor / Diretora – These terms refer to a “director” of a company. “Diretor” is used for males, and “Diretora” is used for females.

Assembléia – This word means “assembly” or “meeting.” It refers to a gathering of shareholders or members of a corporation to discuss and make decisions.

Fusão – This term means “merger.” It refers to the combination of two or more companies into one entity.

Aquisição – This word means “acquisition.” It refers to the purchase of one company by another.

International Law Terms

International law governs the relationships between countries and includes treaties, conventions, and agreements.

Tratado – This is the Portuguese word for “treaty.” It refers to a formal agreement between countries.

Convenção – This term means “convention.” It refers to an international agreement on specific matters, often sponsored by an international organization.

Acordo – This word means “agreement.” It refers to a mutual understanding or arrangement between parties, often countries.

Extradição – This term means “extradition.” It refers to the process of delivering a person accused or convicted of a crime to the jurisdiction where the crime was committed.

Imunidade Diplomática – This phrase means “diplomatic immunity.” It refers to the legal protection granted to diplomats from the laws of the host country.

Soberania – This word means “sovereignty.” It refers to the authority of a state to govern itself without external interference.

Intellectual Property Law Terms

Intellectual property law deals with the protection of creations of the mind, such as inventions, literary works, and trademarks.

Propriedade Intelectual – This is the Portuguese term for “intellectual property.” It refers to the legal rights that result from intellectual activity.

Patente – This word means “patent.” It refers to the exclusive right granted for an invention.

Marca – This term means “trademark.” It refers to a symbol, word, or phrase legally registered to represent a company or product.

Direitos Autorais – This phrase means “copyright.” It refers to the legal right granted to the creator of an original work.

Licença – This word means “license.” It refers to the permission granted to use intellectual property.

Infringimento – This term means “infringement.” It refers to the violation of intellectual property rights.

Propriedade Industrial – This phrase means “industrial property.” It refers to patents, trademarks, and industrial designs.

Conclusion

Understanding these commonly used legal terms in Portuguese can significantly enhance your ability to navigate the legal landscape in Portuguese-speaking countries. Whether you are reading a contract, attending a court hearing, or negotiating a business deal, familiarity with these terms will provide you with a solid foundation to engage confidently in legal matters. Keep this guide handy as a reference, and don’t hesitate to consult legal professionals when necessary to ensure full comprehension and compliance with the law.