General Legal Terms
Here are some foundational legal terms that you will frequently encounter in Slovak:
1. Zákon – This term means law or act. It is used to refer to written laws passed by the legislative body.
2. Právo – This is the Slovak word for right or law in a more general sense. It can refer to legal rights or the field of law as a whole.
3. Súd – This means court. It is the place where legal cases are heard and decided.
4. Sudca – This term translates to judge, the official who presides over court proceedings.
5. Právnik – This is the word for lawyer or attorney. A právnik represents clients in legal matters.
6. Zmluva – This means contract or agreement. It is a legally binding document between parties.
7. Obžaloba – This term means accusation or indictment. It refers to the formal charge of a crime.
8. Obhajca – This is the term for defense lawyer or counsel who defends the accused party.
9. Žalobca – This means prosecutor or plaintiff, the party bringing a case against another.
10. Rozsudok – This translates to verdict or judgment. It is the decision made by a court.
11. Trestný čin – This term means criminal offense. It refers to actions that are punishable under criminal law.
12. Právomoc – This means jurisdiction. It refers to the authority of a court to hear a case.
Civil Law Terms
Civil law deals with the rights and duties of individuals among themselves. Here are some terms you might encounter:
1. Občianske právo – This is the term for civil law, which governs non-criminal disputes.
2. Žaloba – This means lawsuit or complaint. It is the formal legal claim filed by the plaintiff.
3. Žalovaný – This translates to defendant in civil cases.
4. Dedičstvo – This term means inheritance. It refers to property or money received from a deceased person.
5. Rozvod – This is the Slovak word for divorce. It refers to the legal dissolution of a marriage.
6. Výživné – This means alimony or child support. It refers to financial support provided to a spouse or child.
7. Nájomná zmluva – This term translates to lease agreement. It is a contract between a landlord and tenant.
8. Vlastnícke právo – This means property right. It refers to the legal rights to own and use property.
9. Záväzok – This is the term for obligation or liability. It refers to a legal duty to do or not do something.
10. Súdny spor – This means litigation. It refers to the process of taking legal action.
Family Law Terms
Family law is a branch of civil law that deals with family matters and domestic relations. Here are some essential terms:
1. Manželstvo – This means marriage. It refers to the legally recognized union of two people.
2. Manžel – This is the word for husband.
3. Manželka – This translates to wife.
4. Dieťa – This means child.
5. Opatrovníctvo – This is the term for guardianship or custody. It refers to the legal responsibility for a child.
6. Adopcia – This means adoption. It refers to the legal process of becoming a parent to a child who is not biologically yours.
7. Výživné na dieťa – This translates to child support.
8. Dedič – This means heir. It refers to a person who inherits property or money from a deceased person.
9. Testament – This is the Slovak word for will. It is a legal document outlining the distribution of a person’s assets after death.
10. Súdne konanie o rozvod – This means divorce proceedings.
Criminal Law Terms
Criminal law deals with behaviors that are considered offenses against the state or public. Here are some critical terms:
1. Trestné právo – This means criminal law.
2. Obžalovaný – This term means defendant or accused in criminal cases.
3. Trestný čin – This translates to criminal offense.
4. Polícia – This is the word for police.
5. Vyšetrovanie – This means investigation.
6. Zatknutie – This term translates to arrest.
7. Obvinenie – This means charge or accusation.
8. Výsluch – This is the term for interrogation or questioning.
9. Súdny proces – This translates to trial.
10. Väzenie – This means prison.
11. Odsúdenie – This term means conviction.
12. Trest – This translates to punishment or sentence.
13. Podmienečný trest – This means probation.
14. Odvolanie – This term means appeal.
Business and Commercial Law Terms
Business and commercial law govern the conduct of business and commercial activities. Here are some essential terms:
1. Obchodné právo – This means commercial law or business law.
2. Spoločnosť – This term translates to company or corporation.
3. Zmluva o dielo – This means contract for work or service contract.
4. Obchodný register – This is the commercial register, a public database of companies.
5. Podnikanie – This translates to entrepreneurship or business activities.
6. Podnikateľ – This is the word for entrepreneur or businessperson.
7. Obchodná zmluva – This means commercial contract.
8. Bankrot – This term translates to bankruptcy.
9. Dlh – This means debt.
10. Akcia – This is the word for share or stock.
11. Akcionár – This means shareholder.
12. Zákazka – This translates to order or contract in a commercial context.
13. Pohľadávka – This means claim or receivable.
14. Fúzia – This term translates to merger.
15. Nadobudnutie – This means acquisition.
Administrative Law Terms
Administrative law governs the activities of administrative agencies of government. Here are some important terms:
1. Správne právo – This means administrative law.
2. Správa – This translates to administration or governance.
3. Úrad – This is the word for office or authority.
4. Právny predpis – This means regulation or legal provision.
5. Správne konanie – This translates to administrative proceedings.
6. Rozhodnutie – This means decision or ruling.
7. Odvolanie – This term means appeal in an administrative context.
8. Pokuta – This translates to fine or penalty.
9. Licencia – This means license or permit.
10. Kontrola – This is the word for inspection or audit.
11. Sťažnosť – This means complaint.
12. Úradník – This term translates to official or clerk.
13. Právomoc – This means authority or jurisdiction in an administrative context.
14. Nariadenie – This translates to regulation or directive.
Real Estate Law Terms
Real estate law governs the buying, using, and selling of land and property. Here are some essential terms:
1. Nehnuteľnosť – This means real estate or property.
2. Kúpna zmluva – This translates to purchase agreement.
3. Predajca – This is the word for seller.
4. Kupujúci – This means buyer.
5. Hypotéka – This translates to mortgage.
6. Záložné právo – This term means lien.
7. List vlastníctva – This is the certificate of ownership.
8. Prenájom – This translates to rental.
9. Nájomca – This means tenant.
10. Prenajímateľ – This is the word for landlord.
11. Stavebné povolenie – This means building permit.
12. Katastrálny úrad – This is the land registry office.
13. Zmluva o prenájme – This translates to rental agreement.
14. Vlastnícke právo – This means property right.
Employment Law Terms
Employment law governs the relationship between employers and employees. Here are some important terms:
1. Pracovné právo – This means employment law.
2. Zamestnanec – This is the word for employee.
3. Zamestnávateľ – This translates to employer.
4. Pracovná zmluva – This means employment contract.
5. Výpoveď – This translates to termination or notice.
6. Mzda – This means wage or salary.
7. Pracovný pomer – This is the term for employment relationship.
8. Dovolenka – This means leave or vacation.
9. Náhrada škody – This translates to compensation for damages.
10. Pracovné podmienky – This means working conditions.
11. Bezpečnosť pri práci – This translates to workplace safety.
12. Zdravotné poistenie – This means health insurance.
13. Sociálne zabezpečenie – This translates to social security.
14. Odmena – This means reward or bonus.
Conclusion
Understanding these legal terms will not only help you navigate legal documents and proceedings more effectively but will also give you a deeper insight into the Slovak legal system. Whether you are studying law, working in a legal profession, or simply aiming to be more informed, having a grasp of these terms is indispensable.
Remember, learning legal terminology in a foreign language can be challenging, but with consistent effort and practice, you can achieve proficiency. Use this guide as a starting point, and don’t hesitate to seek out additional resources and practice opportunities to further enhance your understanding and skills in Slovak legal terms. Happy learning!
