Why does the law profession use Latin words?

Question

Why does the law profession in the US use so many Latin words and phrases? Is Latin more precise than English? Is Latin better than English? This is America, so why don't we phrase all our laws and legal terms in English?

Answer 1

Because the profession of persuading others to believe your point of view started in the Roman empire. This profession started back then and they used Latin phrases for specific ways to persuade others. ie: a contrario This is where the profession of a lawyer was taught for the first time in schools. Yeah, we are in the year 2011, but I think it's nice to still refer to those phrases and words. It shows how old the profession is and where it originated. It makes us think like they thought, in their words.. I studied Latin and had to read Cicero, a great Roman lawyer. They made up the rules for convincing people and these rules still apply in today's society.. The rules never change.



I hope you could understand it a little but, because I'm from Belgium.. I tried to explain it the best I could ;)

Answer 2

Latin Terms Used In Law

Answer 3

It is always people who have never taken Latin who assume it is useless. I have never meant anyone who had some Latin and thought so. I would know. I am a Latin teacher, and people are always telling me how glad they are that they took it in school.

To the question: why reinvent the wheel? As noted above, to explain legal ideas in English would take many more words. The Latin phrases are short, which is really appreciated in this time-stressed world.

Answer 4

They use it so normal people cannot understand the law and get screwed over by f'n lawyer, judges and cops. F Latin and be American. Join the revolution!!!!!!

Answer 5

Our legal system is influenced by Roman law. England (and most of its former colonies) and the United States of America use a variation of the old Roman law called "Common Law."



Here's a good article on the topic:

http://www.juridicainternational.eu/public/pdf/ji_2005_1_199.pdf

Answer 6

Latin legal terms are more precise- there are no contronyms.

Answer 7

Many of our legal concepts are borrowed from earlier cultures, including Roman.



It's also a way to inflate their perception of superiority. It's job security.

Answer 8

No, Latin and Greek are not to any extent further standards for popularity into scientific college. yet for the reason that scientific words are frequently derived from Latin and Greek, Hashimoto and Kawasaki illnesses being exceptions, a rudimentary information is powerful. superb of all, whilst a musclebound hulk tries to hit on your female, you are able to call him a stultus asinus and you should destroy out with it.