Essential Latin for Lawyers [Paperback]

Russ Versteeg (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 1990 | ISBN-10: 0890893780 | ISBN-13: 978-0890893784

In this handbook, VerSteeg - a former Latin teacher and now a law professor - provides translations, discussions, and explanations of Latin legal terminology that law students and lawyers are most likely to use. He then explains the use of the Latin terminology with respect to its broader legal context. Unlike other reference books, this book is arranged by subject areas in law, such as constitutional law, contracts, property, torts, general terms, etc. The book also contains a glossary of approximately 290 Latin terms that occur frequently in legal writing, an appendix, and a guide to classical Latin pronunciation.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The author explains the use of Latin terminology through excellent case and historical references. This delightful book should be required reading for all students." --Bimonthly Review of Law Books

Language Notes

Text: English, Latin --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 166 pages
• Publisher: Carolina Academic Pr (December 1, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0890893780
• ISBN-13: 978-0890893784
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #277,133 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Useful for Latin Students and those interested in Law, December 26, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Essential Latin for Lawyers (Paperback)

VerSteeg's Essential Latin for Lawyers is different from other legal dictionaries of Latin expressions. He presents the phrases in groups according to the area of law that you might encounter them (Contracts, Torts, Property) and then provides enough 'case' history or scenarios so that the phrase is illustrated by anecdote and is easy to remember. Teachers can use these with their students because the phrases and their examples are short. In addition to the narrative style of presentation, there is also a more 'standard' index of terms and their translations. The tone is conversational and at times witty. There is a down-to-earth style that is refreshing. The bi-monthly review of law books said it was 'delightful' and 'should be required reading for all first year law students."

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great help for first semester, October 10, 2005

By 

Duck Darling - See all my reviews

This review is from: Essential Latin for Lawyers (Paperback)

This book is a great buy; it has been really helpful thus far. Black's dictionary lacks a lot of very important Latin terms that I need to understand to get the full benefit of the casebooks. "Essential Latin" has a basic dictionary-style format at the back of the book, and short summaries of the most important terms divided by subject, (crim law, torts), in the front. It could be more comprehensive, but contains about 85% of the information I've needed.