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B2  ·  50 words

Law and the courts in Portuguese

Hearing, judgment, time limit, burden of proof — the words a report from a courtroom cannot be read without.

Practise this list

From these 50 words, as many per round as you like — up to all of them: first what is due today, then new ones. First you choose, then you fill the gap, then you write it yourself. Mistakes come back again shortly.

More about this list

The ninth entry is o arquivamento, and an English reader who takes it for the archive has understood the opposite. Arquivar um processo is the decision that ends a case: the prosecutor or the judge finds there is nothing to try, and o arquivamento foi decidido por falta de provas means the matter stops there. The English verb « to archive » has never done that work. It moves a finished paper into storage, and it says nothing at all about whether the thing inside it was concluded, abandoned or won — a firm archives its contracts every December and every one stays in force. English reaches for other words here: a case is « dropped », a prosecution is « discontinued », and proceedings are « stayed » when they are merely halted. The picture behind the two words is worth keeping in mind, because the languages took it in different directions. Portuguese treats the shelf as the end of the road; English treats it as a place where a live thing may also sit. So « the case was archived », in a translated report, tells the reader only where the file went.

The words

Noun (f) (27)

Grammar for these: Definite article: o, a, os, as · Contractions: do, na, ao, pelo

a absolviçãothe acquittalNoun (f)B2
A absolvição surpreendeu a sala.The acquittal took the courtroom by surprise.
a audiênciathe hearingNoun (f)B2
A audiência durou seis horas.The hearing lasted six hours.
a acusação oralthe prosecution’s closing speechNoun (f)B2
A acusação oral foi breve.The prosecution’s closing speech was short.
a alegação de defesathe defence’s closing speechNoun (f)B2
A alegação de defesa durou uma hora.The defence’s closing speech lasted an hour.
a pena de prisãothe custodial sentenceNoun (f)B2
A pena de prisão foi reduzida em recurso.The custodial sentence was reduced on appeal.
a suspensão da penathe suspended sentenceNoun (f)B2
Obteve a suspensão da pena.He was given a suspended sentence.
a detenção policialthe police detentionNoun (f)B2
A detenção policial não pode exceder 48 horas.Police detention may not exceed 48 hours.
a constituição de arguidothe formal naming as a suspectNoun (f)B2
A constituição de arguido não é uma condenação.Being formally named a suspect is not a conviction.
a instrução do processothe pre-trial investigationNoun (f)B2
A instrução do processo durou dois anos.The pre-trial investigation lasted two years.
a jurisdiçãothe jurisdictionNoun (f)B2
A jurisdição competente é a do domicílio.The competent jurisdiction is that of the place of residence.
a anulação da sentençathe setting aside of the judgmentNoun (f)B2
A anulação da sentença devolve o caso a outro tribunal.Setting the judgment aside sends the case back to a different court.
a jurisprudênciathe case lawNoun (f)B2
A jurisprudência mudou neste ponto.The case law has changed on this point.
a mediaçãothe mediationNoun (f)B2
A mediação evita muitas vezes o julgamento.Mediation often spares the parties a trial.
a arbitragem judicialthe arbitrationNoun (f)B2
A arbitragem judicial é mais rápida.Arbitration is quicker.
a prescriçãothe limitation of the claimNoun (f)B2
A prescrição ocorre ao fim de três anos.The claim is time-barred after three years.
a notificação judicialthe final demand before court actionNoun (f)B2
A notificação judicial precede a ação.The final demand comes before the claim is issued.
a presunção de inocênciathe presumption of innocenceNoun (f)B2
A presunção de inocência vale até à sentença.The presumption of innocence holds until judgment is given.
a confissãothe confessionNoun (f)B2
A confissão foi retirada no dia seguinte.The confession was withdrawn the next day.
a citação judicialthe summonsNoun (f)B2
A citação judicial chegou pelo correio.The summons arrived by post.
a medida de coaçãothe precautionary measureNoun (f)B2
Foi aplicada uma medida de coação.A precautionary measure was imposed.
a convocatóriathe notice to attendNoun (f)B2
A convocatória indica a data e a sala.The notice to attend gives the date and the courtroom.
a secretaria do tribunalthe court officeNoun (f)B2
O processo pode ser consultado na secretaria do tribunal.The file may be consulted at the court office.
a petição inicialthe statement of claimNoun (f)B2
A petição inicial foi entregue em mão.The statement of claim was handed over in person.
a nulidadethe invalidityNoun (f)B2
Foi declarada a nulidade do contrato.The contract was declared invalid.
a boa-féthe good faithNoun (f)B2
A boa-fé do comprador não é contestada.The buyer’s good faith is not disputed.
a coaçãothe coercionNoun (f)B2
Um acordo assinado sob coação é nulo.An agreement signed under coercion is void.
a sentença transitadathe final judgmentNoun (f)B2
A sentença transitada já não pode ser contestada.A final judgment can no longer be challenged.

Noun (m) (23)

Grammar for these: Definite article: o, a, os, as · Contractions: do, na, ao, pelo

o comparecimentothe appearance in courtNoun (m)B2
O comparecimento está marcado para 12 de março.The appearance in court is set for 12 March.
o vereditothe verdictNoun (m)B2
O veredito sai na segunda-feira.The verdict comes on Monday.
o arquivamentothe discontinuance of the proceedingsNoun (m)B2
O arquivamento foi decidido por falta de provas.The proceedings were discontinued for want of evidence.
o depoimentothe statement on the recordNoun (m)B2
O seu depoimento mudou o desfecho.His statement on the record changed the outcome.
o tribunal criminalthe criminal courtNoun (m)B2
O tribunal criminal reúne às terças.The criminal court sits on Tuesdays.
o tribunal da relaçãothe court of appealNoun (m)B2
O tribunal da relação confirmou a sentença.The court of appeal upheld the judgment.
o recurso de revistathe appeal on points of lawNoun (m)B2
O recurso de revista foi entregue no prazo.The appeal on points of law was filed within the time limit.
o litígiothe disputeNoun (m)B2
O litígio incide sobre um valor modesto.The dispute is about a modest sum.
o prazo de recursothe time limit for appealingNoun (m)B2
O prazo de recurso é de um mês.The time limit for appealing is one month.
o danothe lossNoun (m)B2
O dano foi avaliado por um perito.The loss was assessed by an expert.
o ressarcimentothe compensationNoun (m)B2
O ressarcimento já foi pago.The compensation has already been paid.
o oficial de justiçathe bailiffNoun (m)B2
O oficial de justiça passou esta manhã.The bailiff called this morning.
o notáriothe notaryNoun (m)B2
O notário guarda o original da escritura.The notary keeps the original of the deed.
o ministério públicothe public prosecution serviceNoun (m)B2
O ministério público pediu pena efetiva.The public prosecution service asked for an immediate custodial sentence.
o juiz de instruçãothe investigating judgeNoun (m)B2
O juiz de instrução ordenou uma perícia.The investigating judge ordered an expert report.
o assistente no processothe private party joined to the prosecutionNoun (m)B2
O assistente no processo pede reparação.The private party joined to the prosecution is claiming redress.
o arguidothe accusedNoun (m)B2
O arguido não disse nada.The accused said nothing.
o ónus da provathe burden of proofNoun (m)B2
O ónus da prova recai sobre o autor.The burden of proof lies with the claimant.
o arquivamento do inquéritothe closing of the investigation without chargeNoun (m)B2
O arquivamento do inquérito foi decidido.The investigation was closed without charge.
o registo criminalthe criminal recordNoun (m)B2
O registo criminal está limpo.The criminal record is clean.
o recurso ao tribunalthe recourse to the courtNoun (m)B2
O recurso ao tribunal é gratuito.Going to court costs nothing.
o foro competentethe competent forumNoun (m)B2
O foro competente é o de Lisboa.The competent forum is Lisbon.
o apoio judiciáriothe legal aidNoun (m)B2
Pediu apoio judiciário.He applied for legal aid.

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