No doubt, one of the things that make legal language hardest to understand is its unusual words and terms. Some legal terms such as-judge, court, interrogation etc. are relatively well known, where as others are complete mystery to non-professionals. Some legal writings tend to consist of very long sentences, sometimes hundreds of words in length.

Here's some difficult legal words and terms. Without knowing these, transcribing legal documents will be almost impossible.

1. Arbitration-A method of alternative dispute resolution in which the disputing parties  agrees to abide by the decision of an arbitrator.

2. Assignment-The transfer of legal rights, from one person to another.

3. Bankruptcy-This is a process governed by the federal law to help people, when they cannot or will not pay their bills.

4. Bifurcation-Splitting a trial into two parts: a liability phase and a penalty phase.

5. Certiorari- It refers to the order of a court so that it can review the decision and proceedings in the lower court.

6. Deed-A written legal document that describes a piece of property and outlines its boundaries.

7. Defamation-The publication of the statement that injures a person’s reputation.

8. Deposition-It is a process in which a witness testifies under oath, before trial.

9. Escrow-The deed of a property will be in escrow( in pending), until the completion of the real estate transaction.

10. Foreclosure-When a borrower cannot repay a loan and the lender seeks to sell the property.

11. Immunity-Exemption from a legal duty or penalty.

12. Implied warranty-A guarantee imposed by law in a sale.

13. Intestate-To die without a will.

14. Plaintiff-The person who initiates a lawsuit.

15. Pro se-A person who represents himself in court alone without the help of the lawyer.

16. Quash-To nullify or declare invalid.

17. Slander-Defamatory oral statements and gestures

18. Subpoena-An order compelling a person to appear in court or produce documents.