Customer Reviews

Nolo's Plain-English Law Dictionary

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"Nolo's Plain-English Law Dictionary" by the Editors of Nolo, Gerald N. Hill and Kathleen Thompson Hill is promoted as, "This is `not' you grandfather's law dictionary." This law dictionary is written in clear English and contains compete definitions of legal terms you need today.

As an attorney, this book will not replace my "Black's Law Dictionary" which is the standard for legal dictionaries, but this lighter, plain-English text is very convenient to have on hand. For most people, this text is all they would need when wondering about a legal term.

To illustrate the differences in dictionaries, let's look at the word "partner." Most of us know what it means, and it is a common word that we use in business all the time. The definition in "Nolo's Plain-English Law Dictionary" is:

"One of the co-owners and investors in a partnership. Each partner claims a share of the the (sic) business's income or losses on the partner's individual tax return. General partners are responsible for the debts, contracts, and actions of all the partners in the business. Limited partners do not share responsibility for partnership debts and cannot share in management decisions." (Note that I found a typo in the definition noted with the (sic)).

"Black's Law Dictionary" provides much more under the listing of "partner."

"A member of partnership or firm; one who has united with others to form a partnership in business." The there are definitions for each of the following: Dormant partners, full or general partner, junior partner, limited partner, liquidating partner, nominal partner, ostensible partner, quasi partner, secret partner, silent partner, special partner, and surviving partner.

"Black's" contains much more than "Nolo's," but that is what you expect, and for most people who are not attorneys, "Black's" has much more than is needed, and is not as easy to understand as "Nolo's." The size and cost of the books is very different too. "Black's is a very large and heavy book, and much more expensive. "Nolo's Plain-English Law Dictionary" is smaller, paperback, easier to grab off the shelf or take with you, and costs less.

If you would like an easy to understand law dictionary, full of the most common terms non-lawyers will most likely need, this book will be a very good addition to your reference library.

Reviewed by Alain Burrese, J.D., author of a regular column on negotiation for The Montana Lawyer.

From Abandon to Zoning and all the legal terms in between you'll find straight forward, plain English definitions in this dictionary which is not, as it says on the back cover "your grandfather's law dictionary." There is no forward in this book, no introduction telling you how to use it. It's just a dictionary, but it's a darned good one.

And as an added bonus after the last Z word Nolo Press has added the United States Constitution. It's been a long time since I've read it, it felt good reading it again. Our founding fathers were pretty sharp guys.

Nolo's new Law Dictionary makes it possible for lawyers to speak the English language again! Legal professionals of all bents will be able to untangle their tongues, and speak understandably to their clients again! Law students, who are so very tempted to insert legalese into their daily conversations with family and friends, will be able once again to speak intelligently, articulately, and with meaning, by learning (or re-learning) NOLO's clear and concise definitions.

This tremendous dictionary is also something you could give to your clients! When learning the law is fun, it makes everyone more informed as consumers of legal services and products.

This great book changes the world!

Like the majority of Nolo books this is an excellent resource. I compared this law dictionary to Black's law dictionary, and it compared favorably. The language is clearer and simpler. Also, the print, the type set, and the whole layout of the book is aesthetically pleasing. The U.S. Constitution in the back is also a nice key legal reference. One more time, good job Nolo.

In this information age, a law dictionary is a pretty essential tool to have. And, this one will do the job just fine.

A lawyer, law student, or paralegal can never have too many law dictionaries! This one is a "starter dictionary", with simple, generalized definitions of terms that an individual might overhear or otherwise encounter while working around legal professionals. It's a dictionary to consult when you don't want to interrupt a conversation to ask what is being talked about.

However, the word selection is somewhat spotty. For example, the PKPA (Parental Kidnapping Prevention Act) and UCCJEA (Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act) are defined, but there is no mention of the equally important ICWA (Indian Child Welfare Act). Also, there are definitions for "community property" and "separate property" but none for "transmutation" or "tracing". Many of the included terms aren't legal terms at all, at least not in the traditional sense. Examples of these are the Internet terms "phishing", "cybersquatting", and "dooced".

A major shortcoming of the dictionary is that many definitions are vague and wander off into discussions of related concepts. For example, "forum" is defined as: "The court in which a lawsuit is filed or in which a hearing or trial is conducted. The appropriate forum depends on which court has personal jurisdiction over the parties and the subject matter of the case." Some definitions don't quite hit the mark with me. For example, "BFP" is defined as: "Slang for bona fide purchaser." To me, the term is not slang, but an acronym in wide use. Perhaps the authors believed that "acronym" wasn't "plain English"--even though Google searches for texting terms like "BFF" will take you immediately to online dictionaries of acronyms.

For law students, the definitions are not precise enough. For example, "adverse possession" is defined, in part, as: "A means by which one can legally take another's property without paying for it," and goes on to say that the requirements usually include continuous and open use for a period of five years or more, and paying taxes. Black's Law Dictionary includes the additional information that law students will need, which is that acquisition of title by adverse possession requires nonpermissive use that is actual, open, notorious, exclusive, and adverse for a statutory period. Also, for persons representing themselves in court, the definitions are probably not precise enough.

An odd feature is the inclusion of short quotations, bits of legal trivia, and movie descriptions--identified respectively by drawings of a loudspeaker, a gavel, and a film canister. These items are scattered randomly throughout the dictionary. They are entertaining, but suggest that the dictionary doesn't take itself particularly seriously, given that they don't seem to illustrate any definitions on the pages where they appear.

In short, this dictionary is no substitute for a standard legal dictionary. The dictionary is useful for understanding legal terms in a general sort of way, and it may be helpful in unlocking the meaning of the definitions included in a standard legal dictionary. It also may prove to be enjoyable casual reading for prospective law students, legal buffs, and dictionary buffs like myself. This dictionary will go onto my bookshelf of legal dictionaries, but it definitely won't be the one that I reach for first.

This book is pretty good if you want to read it from A to Z, as a means of rounding out your legal vocabulary.

For word lookups, better to use [...] or [...] There is also an online version of this dictionary at Nolo's website.

I compared 20 Nolo definitions with those available on [...] and Wikipedia. The Nolo definitions are usually clear and helpful, but in most cases the [...] definitions were just as good. Most of the Wikipedia articles were superior.

The book's definitions vary a lot in length and quality. Most of them are 30-80 words. Many cover the legal meaning of a word that is different from its everyday meaning (cure, discovery, injury, probable cause). Most of them give a short tutorial on legal principles that surround the word (very helpful). Some definitions are unnecessary or unhelpful:

insured -- The person or entity who is covered by an insurance policy.
family -- A group of people related by consanguinity or affinity.
harass -- To engage in harassment.

Pronunciations are provided for some difficult words, but not others (like escheat, laches, nihil, veniremen).

It is 100% focused on U.S. law.

Sometimes a physical reference book is handy. But Nolo has not crafted this into a reference masterpiece.

Like a college student trying to puff up his term paper, Nolo has made the book about 40% larger and heavier than it needs to be. It has overly generous line spacing and more than a few pointless entries: (distinguish, income tax, legal, receipt, rent).

Over 200 amusing sidebars include quotes, anecdotes, and (legal theme) movie summaries. These will help you through it if reading the book from cover to cover.

I am a long time buyer and avid of Nolo books, they make the complex vocabulary of the law understandable. I have used Nolo books in the past to buy a house, start a business and write a will as well as countless other documents. Nolo has saved me thousands in legal fees.

This book is a well designed reference for the non lawyer which
will allow you to understand legal documents and proceedings. It is sort of like having a translator for a foreign language and less like an instruction book. It is a good reference for those of us who like to be informed before we sign the paperwork.

As an aside, I think I will add this book to my list of "books to bring when called for jury duty". This has a duel purpose, allowing me to understand the legal terms being used and indicating to the lawyers that I will be an informed juror.

Information is power and finding out the plain language meaning of confusing terms will help to make you a more informed individual.

Agreements often go from clean with plain language directly into confusing or ambiguous elements where misunderstandings can occur.

The best policy is to understand what you sign or not sign it until you do. Don't let a confusing or ambiguous statement cost you money or the right to take action when it counts the most.

Great data! Highly recommended

--WE

This is a good law dictionary for people who want legal terms explained in language more complex than a regular dictionary but much less complex than a legal dictionary lawyers would use such as Black's Law Dictionary. The dictionary includes definitions of legal terms such as tort, slander, damages and negligence while also including government and business related terms such as Department of Homeland Security, term life insurance and unemployment insurance. It also includes brief explanations of major Supreme Court decisions and the entire text of the United States Constitution and Bill of Rights.

Having attended law school, I am often asked the meaning of legal terms by friends and family. Most of the definitions in this book explain terms such as tort, damages, negligence or negligence per se in a way that is clear and understandable for non-lawyers. The definitions are a great starting point for anyone wanting to have an understanding of legal terms.

Since this a Plain-English Law Dictionary it is important to remember that this is a starting point. For instance someone interested in finding out about a tort will learn that a tort is an "injury to one person for which the person who caused the injury is legally responsible." The reader will learn that there are intentional torts and torts caused by negligence. The reader will also learn injuries in a tort action are usually physical but there are exceptions such as libel, slander and mental distress. Finally the reader will learn that a tort is a civil wrong.

This is a good explanation and a good starting point. If the reader wants more information there is always a more advanced law dictionary, legal books on torts and law libraries. If a legal action may be involved the reader can always find an attorney to help them further.

Nolo seems to be marketing this to non-lawyers and this is good since many of the legal terms were too "plain language" for me. A lawyer who had a question about the definition of a tort would likely go to a legal dictionary or other database specifically geared toward lawyers. Yet, the book is relevant to lawyers as well.

For instance I found some legal terms like doctrine of equivalents or ancillary administration or 342 notice, that I never learned or had long since forgotten. The definitions of these terms would serve as a great starting point for me if I wanted to learn more about them. I also found the definitions of terms which are not necessarily legal such as cookie or debit card or green card helpful and relevant to today's news. I enjoyed going through the dictionary and will keep it on my bookshelf next to my other legal sources.

I am a big fan of Nolo books, they make the complex vocabulary of the law understandable. I have used Nolo books in the past to buy a house, start a business and write a will. Nolo has saved me thousands in legal fees.

This book is a well designed reference for the non lawyer which
will allow you to understand legal documents and proceedings. It is sort of like having a
translator for a foreign language and less like an instruction book. It is a good reference for those of us who like to be informed before we sign the paperwork. Sprinkled throughout are quotes and some film references, not sure exactly why those were included unless it was to break up the white space.

As an aside, I think I will add this book to my list of "books to bring when called for jury duty". This has a duel purpose, allowing me to understand the legal terms being used and indicating to the lawyers that I will be an informed juror. My last jury duty I brought "Stack and Sway, The new Science of Jury Consulting" (which is very interesting) and a Scientific American to read. I was, however, quickly dismissed.

This is a very basic, very superficial dictionary of legal terms. It is just what it says it is. The problem I have with it, however, is that it is marketed towards people in need of legal knowledge, not just for curious browsers or those who simply want a reference book (see Amazon's reviews and quotes listed in the description). Anyone who thinks that this will prepare them for them testifying in court or trying their own case will be sorely disappointed. If you already have a general knowledge of the law, want to teach yourself a few common legal terms, or buy a high school student an educational present this is a fine purchase. I can't recommend this book for anyone else.