Core LSAT Vocabulary Words (50+)
A precise command of legal and analytical vocabulary is critical for the LSAT.
This curated list of 50 terms covers legal reasoning, courtroom terminology, and critical thinking concepts.
Each word is explained with meaning, context, examples, and a short practice MCQ for recall.
adduce
Example: The lawyer adduced new evidence to support her argument.
To 'adduce' something means to:
affidavit
Example: The witness signed an affidavit detailing the events.
An 'affidavit' is:
allegation
Example: The defendant denied the allegations against him.
An 'allegation' is:
amicus curiae
Example: The nonprofit filed an amicus curiae brief supporting the plaintiff.
The term 'amicus curiae' refers to:
arbiter
Example: The court acts as the ultimate arbiter in constitutional disputes.
An 'arbiter' is:
arbitration
Example: The contract required arbitration instead of litigation.
Arbitration is:
brief
Example: The lawyer submitted a 50-page brief to the court.
In law, a 'brief' is:
burden of proof
Example: The prosecution has the burden of proof in criminal cases.
The 'burden of proof' means:
certiorari
Example: The Supreme Court granted certiorari in the landmark case.
A 'writ of certiorari' is:
civil law
Example: The dispute was settled under civil law, not criminal law.
Civil law deals with:
codify
Example: The government codified new labor regulations.
To 'codify' laws means to:
common law
Example: The case was decided based on principles of common law.
Common law is based on:
concur
Example: Two judges concurred with the majority opinion.
To 'concur' means to:
cross-examination
Example: The lawyer was skilled in cross-examination.
Cross-examination is:
defamation
Example: The celebrity filed a defamation lawsuit against the newspaper.
Defamation involves:
dissent
Example: The judge wrote a strong dissent against the ruling.
A 'dissent' is:
equity
Example: The court granted relief on the basis of equity.
In legal terms, 'equity' means:
exculpate
Example: The new evidence exculpated the defendant.
To 'exculpate' someone is to:
injunction
Example: The company was served with an injunction to stop pollution.
An 'injunction' is:
jurisdiction
Example: The case was outside the jurisdiction of the local court.
Jurisdiction refers to:
precedent
Example: The court followed precedent when deciding the contract dispute.
A legal 'precedent' is:
stare decisis
Example: Under stare decisis, lower courts apply the rulings of higher courts.
'Stare decisis' requires courts to:
subpoena
Example: The witness received a subpoena to testify on Monday.
A subpoena compels someone to:
deposition
Example: Counsel scheduled a deposition of the key eyewitness.
A 'deposition' is:
hearsay
Example: The judge excluded the testimony as hearsay.
In evidence law, 'hearsay' is usually:
prima facie
Example: The documents created a prima facie case of fraud.
'Prima facie' evidence is:
probative
Example: The emails were highly probative of intent.
Probative evidence is evidence that:
remand
Example: The appellate court remanded for additional fact‑finding.
To 'remand' a case means to:
standing
Example: Without standing, the plaintiff’s case was dismissed.
'Standing' refers to a party’s:
statute
Example: The statute prohibits deceptive advertising.
A 'statute' is:
statute of limitations
Example: The claim was barred by the statute of limitations.
The statute of limitations sets:
strict scrutiny
Example: The court applied strict scrutiny to the speech restriction.
Under strict scrutiny, the government must show:
rational basis
Example: Economic regulations typically receive rational basis review.
A law survives rational basis review if it is:
compelling interest
Example: National security can qualify as a compelling interest.
A 'compelling interest' is required for:
mootness
Example: Graduation rendered the school policy challenge moot.
A case is 'moot' when:
ripeness
Example: The challenge was not ripe because no enforcement had occurred.
'Ripeness' asks whether a case is:
discovery
Example: Email records were produced during discovery.
In litigation, 'discovery' is:
venue
Example: Venue was improper because none of the events occurred there.
'Venue' concerns:
voir dire
Example: During voir dire, counsel probed jurors’ views on policing.
'Voir dire' is used to:
preponderance of the evidence
Example: The plaintiff must prove liability by a preponderance of the evidence.
‘Preponderance of the evidence’ requires that a claim be:
beyond a reasonable doubt
Example: The jury acquitted because guilt wasn’t proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
In criminal cases, guilt must be proven:
tort
Example: Negligence is a common tort.
A 'tort' is:
mens rea
Example: The prosecution must prove both actus reus and mens rea.
‘Mens rea’ means:
actus reus
Example: Stealing property is the actus reus of theft.
‘Actus reus’ refers to:
double jeopardy
Example: The defendant invoked double jeopardy after a prior acquittal.
‘Double jeopardy’ protects against:
habeas corpus
Example: The prisoner filed a habeas corpus petition challenging his detention.
‘Habeas corpus’ requires that:
voir dire challenge
Example: The defense made a voir dire challenge to dismiss a biased juror.
A 'voir dire challenge' is used to:
FAQ
Quick answers to common questions.