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In this episode of 4LE in 4 Minutes, we look at a common Legal English mistake: saying “the court decided guilty.” You’ll learn why this sounds unnatural, when to use found guilty, and how lawyers use verbs like found, held, and decided when discussing court decisions. This short lesson will help you describe criminal verdicts, civil liability, and legal conclusions more clearly and professionally. 

Free Legal English PDF:
Download 10 Common Legal English Mistakes — and How to Avoid Them here.
Learn more about 4 Legal English:
Visit 4LegalEnglish.com to find more podcast episodes, Legal English lessons, free resources, and courses for international lawyers and law students.   
For more about the podcast, go here. 
Have a question or topic suggestion? Send a text or voicemail through the link at the top of the show notes. I may answer it in a future episode.
Join the global 4 Legal English conversation.
The podcast now has listeners in 186 countries — and I would love to hear from you. Click Send Fan Mail at the top of the show notes to send a quick text message or voicemail. Tell me your first name, country, and question about Legal English, legal communication, or the U.S. legal system. Your question may be featured in a future episode. 
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On the docket today, we explain the phrase “without prejudice”—what it means, when lawyers use it, and why it matters during settlement negotiations and other legal discussions. You’ll learn how the phrase can affect whether certain communications may later be used in court, as well as some important limits to the protection it provides. 
This episode is part of 4LE in 4 Minutes, a new series of short Legal English episodes designed to explain one useful legal term, phrase, or concept in just a few minutes. These shorter episodes will appear between our regular full-length episodes, which will continue every other week.

Learn more about 4 Legal English:
Visit 4LegalEnglish.com to find more podcast episodes, Legal English lessons, free resources, and courses for international lawyers and law students.   
For more about the podcast, go here. 
Have a question or topic suggestion? Send a text or voicemail through the link at the top of the show notes. I may answer it in a future episode.
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On the docket today, we look at how lawyers can communicate clearly once a virtual negotiation is underway. We discuss using short sentences, signposting, and summaries; managing interruptions, silence, and technical delays; and avoiding pressure to respond before you are ready. We also examine how to distinguish proposals, offers, counteroffers, and acceptance, clarify authority and client approval, and confirm exactly what has—and has not—been agreed. Finally, we look at the risks and advantages of chat, screen sharing, and written follow-up. This episode gives international lawyers and law students practical English for negotiating online with greater clarity and control.

Read the full Episode Brief:
Get the transcript, Legal English Lexicon, key vocabulary, and further explanation for this episode here.  
Free Legal English PDF:
Download 10 Common Legal English Mistakes — and How to Avoid Them here.
Learn more about 4 Legal English:
Visit 4LegalEnglish.com to find more podcast episodes, Legal English lessons, free resources, and courses for international lawyers and law students.   
For more about the podcast, go here. 
Have a question or topic suggestion? Send a text or voicemail through the link at the top of the show notes. I may answer it in a future episode.
Join the global 4 Legal English conversation.
The podcast now has listeners in 186 countries — and I would love to hear from you. Click Send Fan Mail at the top of the show notes to send a quick text message or voicemail. Tell me your first name, country, and question about Legal English, legal communication, or the U.S. legal system. Your question may be featured in a future episode. 
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In this episode of 4 Legal English in 4 Minutes, we explain the legal English word liable. You’ll learn why liable does not simply mean guilty, how lawyers use it in civil cases, and how to use phrases like held liable and liable for damages correctly. 

Free Legal English PDF:
Download 10 Common Legal English Mistakes — and How to Avoid Them here.
Learn more about 4 Legal English:
Visit 4LegalEnglish.com to find more podcast episodes, Legal English lessons, free resources, and courses for international lawyers and law students.   
For more about the podcast, go here. 
Have a question or topic suggestion? Send a text or voicemail through the link at the top of the show notes. I may answer it in a future episode.
Join the global 4 Legal English conversation.
The podcast now has listeners in 186 countries — and I would love to hear from you. Click Send Fan Mail at the top of the show notes to send a quick text message or voicemail. Tell me your first name, country, and question about Legal English, legal communication, or the U.S. legal system. Your question may be featured in a future episode. 
Support the show

Send us Fan Mail
On the docket today, we discuss how lawyers can prepare for and professionally open a virtual negotiation in English. We look at the Legal English vocabulary lawyers should anticipate, how to identify a client’s preferred and fallback positions, why authority and client approval matter, and how agendas, talking points, and well-organized documents can reduce confusion. We also examine useful language for opening an online negotiation, establishing its purpose, structuring the discussion, and using phrases such as “subject to client approval” and “without prejudice.” This episode is designed for international lawyers and law students who want to approach virtual negotiations more clearly and confidently.

Read the full Episode Brief:
Get the transcript, Legal English Lexicon, key vocabulary, and further explanation for this episode here.  
Free Legal English PDF:
Download 10 Common Legal English Mistakes — and How to Avoid Them here.
Learn more about 4 Legal English:
Visit 4LegalEnglish.com to find more podcast episodes, Legal English lessons, free resources, and courses for international lawyers and law students.   
For more about the podcast, go here. 
Have a question or topic suggestion? Send a text or voicemail through the link at the top of the show notes. I may answer it in a future episode.
Join the global 4 Legal English conversation.
The podcast now has listeners in 186 countries — and I would love to hear from you. Click Send Fan Mail at the top of the show notes to send a quick text message or voicemail. Tell me your first name, country, and question about Legal English, legal communication, or the U.S. legal system. Your question may be featured in a future episode. 
Join the global 4 Legal English conversation.
The podcast now has listeners in 186 countries — and I would love to hear from you. Click Send Fan Mail at the top of the show notes to send a quick text message or voicemail. Tell me your first name, country, and question about Legal English, legal communication, or the U.S. legal system. Your question may be featured in a future episode. 
Support the show