At TBA LAW, we’re committed to demystifying legal jargon with clear, simple explanations that make the law easier to understand for everyone.
A subpoena is a legal order requiring someone to appear in court or produce documents. Ignoring it can lead to penalties.
The process of thoroughly investigating and evaluating a person or business before signing a contract or making a deal.
An agreement where one party agrees to compensate another for certain damages or losses.
A legal obligation to act in someone else’s best interest — often used for trustees, company directors, or lawyers
A court order that tells someone to stop doing something (or sometimes to do something), often to prevent harm.
When one party fails to fulfill their obligations under a legally binding agreement.
A formal request or order to stop doing something illegal or harmful, like using copyrighted material.
The responsibility to prove a claim in court — in criminal cases, this is on the prosecution and must be beyond a reasonable doubt.
A legal contract signed before marriage that outlines how assets, debts, and property will be divided if the couple divorces or separates. It’s often used to protect individual wealth or clarify financial expectations up front.
A de facto relationship is often used to describe a couple who lives together on a domestic basis but isn’t legally married. While the term “de facto” doesn’t automatically imply marriage, legal rights (such as property division, spousal support, and inheritance) may be granted after a certain period of cohabitation or by proving the relationship’s nature.
A court-approved agreement where a married couple lives apart but remains legally married. It can involve decisions about finances, property, and child custody — similar to divorce, but without ending the marriage.
The legal process of transferring property ownership from one party to another, including drafting contracts, conducting searches, and registering the property with the land registry.
An investigation conducted by the buyer’s solicitor or conveyancer to check for any issues affecting the property, such as planning restrictions, ownership disputes, or environmental concerns