Not many legal English books have a preface written by an Oxford Law Professor. This book has one. Among other things, he confirmed that


"In this astonishing work of reference and instruction, Szabó László has produced an account of the rules, principles, usages and understandings of legal English which has no equivalent, certainly in England, and in all probability anywhere else in the world."


... Learning legal English grammar has never been easier.


This legal English grammar book is the most user-friendly grammar book worldwide, in that:


- it has an approach covering grammar from user perspective: it provides a full description of topics, such as condition, likelihood, manner, cause and reason, consequence and result, purpose and objective, etc., providing all linguistic options in these topics, so by a single reading, you will have all options in mind to use in your legal text or legal translation.


For example: you will find in the chapter describing condition the pattern:

"barring + fact/event + subject + verb"

for example: "Barring any major error in evidencing, the defendant will be acquitted."


- it uses a minimum of fancy grammar terms, like "past participle", "gerund" or "subordinate clause". The description of terms are clear-cut and easy to understand. Like the ones below from among linguistic options of expressing cause and reason:


(1) cause + is attributable + for consequence

for example: The  lenient  safety  policy  of  the  company  is  directly  attributable  for  the  injuries  of  the  employees.

(2) consequence + is attributable + to cause

for example: The  alleged  misconduct  is  primarily  attributable  to  the  respondent's  failure  to  employ  sound  management  procedures.


Just one reading, and you already have a good understanding of how to use this term. No fancy grammar terms, most user-friendly approach.


Proofread by a U.S. attorney with a degree in law (Yale) and in linguistics, this ebook provides a detailed and comprehensive description of the grammar of legal English. This book provides samples, which you can instantly use in wording your sentences and texts, at native pro level.


This 200 page (A4 size) book describes sentence formation in legal texts, and ALL the various terms and phrases to express

- condition (17 pages),

- consequence and result (11 pages),

- cause and reason (13 pages),

- exception (13 pages),

- likelihood (18 pages),

- manner (3 pages),

- negation (5 pages),

- purpose and objective (16 pages),

- referencing (8 pages) and

- time (29 pages) in legal texts.


Let us take "likelihood" for example. The chapter presents to you all linguistic options to express likelihood in legal texts. Some examples:


(1) absolute certainty

it + is + absolutely + certain + that + subject + verb

e.g.: It is absolutely certain that the omission was not prejudicial to the defendant.


(2) strong likelihood

it + is + highly + possible + that + subject + verb

e.g.: He asserts that it is highly possible that those judges have formed a biased opinion against him.


(3) reasonable likelihood

chances + are + that + subject + verb

e.g.: Chances are that the lawsuit will take place in the country where the tort took place.


(4) slight likelihood

there + is + slight + likelihood + that + subject + verb

e.g.: There is a slight likelihood that the hearing will vary the decision…


(5) reasonable improbability

person + may + not + have + verb3

e.g.: He may not have suffered any monetary loss.


(6) strong improbability

it + is + extremely + unlikely + that + subject + verb

e.g.: It is extremely unlikely that access will be allowed to the property in advance.


(7) absolute impossibility

communication + can + not + be + true

e.g.: These allegations cannot be true.


Written by a legal terminologist and legal translator having completed a Yale law course, this book describes legal English in a detailed and comprehensive manner. By reading and consulting this book, you will be familiar with legal English, and you will have a good understanding of this area, thereby promoting your career in law and in legal translations.


The preface to the book was written by an Oxford Law Professor, who confirmed it being a "masterly work".


Useful for law students, to use it in tandem with their studies in law, to quickly learn legal English at native pro standard. Useful also for legal translators. Useful also for law professors, as it provides inspirational content for use in classes. Useful also at university translation courses, in teaching students legal English.


A unique approach with unique results, guiding you to native pro excellence in legal English.

A User-Friendly Legal English Grammar - A PDF ebook