Here you’ll find 98 Legal terms that start with C that begin with C, organized from “Caveat” to “Cy-près”. They include procedural rules, contract concepts, property doctrines, and remedial remedies useful across practice and study.
Legal terms that start with C are legal words and phrases beginning with C used in statutes and cases. Many come from Latin; notable example “caveat emptor” still shapes buyer-seller law.
Below you’ll find the table with [COLUMN_NAMES]
Term: The legal word itself, so you can quickly locate the entry you need for study or drafting.
Definition: A concise legal definition that explains meaning and common use, helping you understand cases and assignments.
Etymology: Brief origin notes showing language roots and historical usage, which illuminate why terms mean what they do.
Jurisdiction: Indicates where a term is commonly used or has special meaning, so you know regional applicability.
Usage/Notes: Practical tips, notable cases, and cross-references that help you apply the term in writing and exams.
Legal terms that start with C
| Term | Category | Jurisdiction | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contract | Document/Doctrine | Common law, US, UK | Legally enforceable promise or set of promises |
| Consideration | Doctrine | Common law, US, UK | Something of legal value exchanged for a promise |
| Conveyance | Document/Procedure | Common law, US, UK | Transfer of property title by deed or document |
| Copyright | Property right/Statute | US, UK, International | Exclusive right to copy and exploit creative works |
| Crime | Noun | Criminal law, common law, civil law | Conduct punishable by the state as an offense |
| Criminal negligence | Doctrine | Criminal law, US, UK | Grossly negligent conduct amounting to crime |
| Criminal procedure | Procedure | Criminal law, US, UK | Rules governing prosecution and trial of crimes |
| Caveat | Procedure/Notice | Common law, US, UK | Formal warning or notice filed with court or registry |
| Caveat emptor | Principle | Common law, US, UK | Buyer bears risk regarding property’s condition |
| Certiorari | Procedural writ | US, UK, Commonwealth | Higher court orders lower court record transferred for review |
| Certificate of title | Document | Property law, US, Australia | Official document showing ownership of land or vehicle |
| Charge (criminal) | Procedure/Accusation | Criminal law, US, UK | Formal accusation that someone committed a crime |
| Charge (security) | Security interest | Property law, UK, Commonwealth | Security interest in asset to secure a debt |
| Chattels | Property term | Common law, US, UK | Personal property movable, not land or fixtures |
| Chattel mortgage | Security/Document | Common law, US, UK | Loan secured by personal property as collateral |
| Charter | Document/Statute | Public law, UK, Canada, Corporations | Foundational document granting rights or corporate powers |
| Charitable trust | Trust type | Trusts law, UK, US, Commonwealth | Trust for public-benefit purposes with special rules |
| Charge-off | Banking/Remedy | Financial law, US | Accounting write-off of uncollectible debt |
| Citation | Reference/Procedure | Common law, US, UK | Formal reference to legal authority or summons to court |
| Civil law | Legal system | Civil law jurisdictions, comparative | Legal system based on codes and statutes, not judicial precedent |
| Civil procedure | Procedure | Civil law, Common law, US, UK | Rules governing civil litigation process |
| Claim | Noun/Procedure | Common law, US, UK | Demand for legal remedy or right asserted in litigation |
| Claimant | Noun | Procedure | Person asserting a legal claim |
| Class action | Procedure/Remedy | US, UK, Canada, common law | Litigation where one or several represent a larger group |
| Classified information | Evidence/National security | US, UK, International | Government information restricted for security reasons |
| Clerical error | Doctrine | Procedural correction, common law | Minor mistake in documents correctable by court |
| Closing | Real estate procedure | Property law, US, UK | Final meeting where property sale is completed |
| Cohabitation | Family law | Family law, common law | Unmarried partners living together with legal consequences |
| Collateral | Security/Doctrine | Secured transactions, US, UK | Property offered to secure repayment of loan |
| Collateral estoppel | Doctrine | Common law, US, UK | Prevents relitigation of issues already decided |
| Collective bargaining | Labor law/process | Labor law, US, UK, International | Negotiation between employers and unions over terms |
| Comity | Principle | International/private international law | Recognition of other states’ laws and judgments as courtesy |
| Commingling | Trusts/Property | Trusts, fiduciary law, US, UK | Mixing of fiduciary or client funds with personal funds |
| Common carrier | Tort/Contract | Transport law, common law | Business offering transport services to the public with high duty |
| Common law | Legal system/Source | Common law jurisdictions | Law developed by judges through precedent and case law |
| Common mistake | Contract doctrine | Contract law, common law | Both parties share a fundamental mistaken fact at formation |
| Community property | Property regime | US (certain states), civil law | Marital property system with equal ownership of assets acquired |
| Comparative negligence | Tort doctrine | US, UK, common law | Assigns fault proportionally to plaintiff and defendant |
| Compensatory damages | Remedy | Civil law, common law | Money award to compensate plaintiff’s losses |
| Competence | Evidence/Witness | Evidence law, US, UK | Legal ability of a person to testify or stand trial |
| Competent jurisdiction | Jurisdictional doctrine | Civil procedure, international | Court’s lawful authority to hear a case |
| Complaint | Document/Pleading | Civil procedure, US, UK | Initial pleading alleging facts and requesting relief |
| Complainant | Noun | Criminal/civil procedure | Person who brings complaint or accuses another |
| Complicity | Criminal doctrine | Criminal law, common law | Assisting or encouraging commission of a crime |
| Compromise | Settlement/Doctrine | Civil law, common law | Agreement resolving dispute without trial |
| Conciliation | ADR process | Alternative dispute resolution, labor law | Non-binding mediated negotiation to resolve disputes |
| Conditional fee | Fee arrangement | Civil procedure, UK | Agreement where lawyer’s fee depends on case outcome |
| Condition precedent | Contract term | Contract law, common law | Event that must occur before contractual duty arises |
| Condition subsequent | Contract/Property | Contract and property law | Event that terminates an existing obligation or estate |
| Confession | Criminal evidence | Criminal law, US, UK | Admission by accused of guilt or part of crime |
| Confidentiality | Doctrine/Obligation | Contracts, corporate, health law | Duty to keep information private and not disclose it |
| Conflict of laws | Private international law | International/common law | Rules deciding applicable jurisdiction and law between states |
| Conflict of interest | Ethics/Doctrine | Professional ethics, corporate law | When personal interest may improperly influence duty performance |
| Confrontation Clause | Constitutional right | US | Right to confront adverse witnesses in criminal trials |
| Consent | Doctrine/Defense | Tort/criminal law, contracts | Voluntary agreement permitting action that would otherwise be unlawful |
| Consent decree | Remedy/Settlement | US, UK, international | Court-approved settlement with enforceable terms |
| Conservatorship | Equity/Family law | US, UK, Commonwealth | Court-appointed management of an incapacitated person’s affairs |
| Conspiracy | Criminal doctrine | Criminal law, common law | Agreement to commit unlawful act or achieve lawful act by unlawful means |
| Constructive dismissal | Employment law | UK, Canada, common law | Employee forced to resign due to employer’s conduct |
| Constructive fraud | Equitable doctrine | Tort/trusts, common law | Fraud inferred from breach of duty without intent to deceive |
| Constructive notice | Property/Procedure | Property law, common law | Notice imputed by law though not actually received |
| Constructive trust | Equitable remedy | Trusts and equity, common law | Trust created by court to prevent unjust enrichment |
| Constructive eviction | Landlord-tenant | Property law, common law | Tenant leaves because landlord’s conduct makes premises uninhabitable |
| Constructive possession | Criminal/property | Criminal law, property law | Legal inference of possession without physical custody |
| Contempt | Procedure/Remedy | Court procedure, US, UK | Disobedience or disrespect to judicial authority |
| Continuance | Procedure | Civil/criminal procedure | Court-ordered delay of scheduled hearing or trial |
| Continuing trespass | Tort doctrine | Property law, common law | Repeating or ongoing trespass creating continuing liability |
| Contra proferentem | Contract interpretation | Common law, international | Ambiguity interpreted against contract drafter |
| Contributory negligence | Tort doctrine | Some US states, historical common law | Plaintiff’s negligence bars recovery in some jurisdictions |
| Contribution | Remedy | Tort and contract law | Right of co-obligors to share liability proportionally |
| Control person liability | Securities doctrine | US securities law | Liability of those controlling a violator under securities laws |
| Conversion | Tort | Common law, US, UK | Wrongful exercise of control over someone else’s property |
| Conveyancing | Process | Property law, US, UK, Australia | Legal work of preparing and completing property transfers |
| Conviction | Criminal outcome | Criminal law, US, UK | Formal finding of guilt following trial or plea |
| Cooperation agreements | International law/Policy | International law, corporate law | Agreements for information or assistance between states/entities |
| Copyright infringement | Tort/statute | Intellectual property, US, UK, international | Unauthorized use of copyrighted work violating rights |
| Coram nobis | Post-conviction remedy | Common law, US, UK | Court order to correct fundamental error in criminal judgment |
| Coroner | Official/Office | Inquest, criminal procedure, UK, US | Official who investigates unexplained or violent deaths |
| Corpus delicti | Criminal evidence doctrine | Criminal law, common law | Proof that a specific injury or loss occurred in a crime |
| Costs | Remedy/Procedure | Civil procedure, UK, US | Court-ordered payment of litigation expenses by losing party |
| Counterclaim | Pleading/Procedure | Civil procedure, US, UK | Defendant’s claim against the plaintiff in same action |
| Counterfeit | Criminal offense | Criminal law, international | Unauthorised imitation of currency, goods, or documents |
| Counteroffer | Contract doctrine | Contract law, common law | Response changing terms of original offer, rejecting it |
| Court | Institution | All jurisdictions | Tribunal authorized to adjudicate legal disputes |
| Court-martial | Military justice | Military law, US, UK, Commonwealth | Military tribunal trying service members for offenses |
| Court of appeal | Court/Institution | Common law, US (appellate courts) | Intermediate appellate court reviewing lower court decisions |
| Court order | Remedy/Procedure | All jurisdictions | Binding directive issued by a judge or tribunal |
| Creditors’ rights | Remedy/Area | Insolvency, secured transactions | Legal protections and enforcement options for lenders |
| Crime of passion | Criminal doctrine | Criminal law, common law | Homicide committed in sudden strong emotion reducing culpability |
| Cross-appeal | Appellate procedure | Appellate law, US, UK | Appeal filed by appellee to challenge aspects of judgment |
| Cross-examination | Evidence procedure | Criminal and civil trials, common law | Questioning opposing party’s witness to test testimony |
| Cross-claim | Pleading | Civil procedure, US, UK | Claim by one defendant against another in same lawsuit |
| Crown immunity | Doctrine/Immunity | UK, Commonwealth | Sovereign’s immunity from certain suits without consent |
| Curtilage | Property law/Criminal law | US, UK, common law | Area immediately surrounding a dwelling with privacy rights |
| Custody | Family/Criminal term | Family law, criminal procedure | Legal responsibility for a person, especially a child or detainee |
| Custodial sentence | Criminal penalty | Criminal law, UK, Commonwealth | Sentence involving imprisonment or detention |
| Custodian of records | Procedure/Evidence | Civil procedure, corporate law | Person responsible for maintaining and producing documents |
| Cy-près | Equity doctrine | Trusts and charity law, common law | Court modifies charitable gift when original purpose impossible |
Descriptions
Contract
Agreement creating binding obligations between parties; elements: offer, acceptance, consideration. From Latin “contractus.” Common-law rules and statutes govern formation and breach. (Black’s; Restatement (Second) of Contracts)
Consideration
Benefit or detriment exchanged to make a contract binding. Essential in common law contracts; derived from Latin “consideratio.” (Black’s; Restatement)
Conveyance
Instrument or act transferring legal title to real property; used in land law and registered land systems. Term from Old French “conveier.” (Black’s; land statutes)
Copyright
Statutory monopoly protecting original works of authorship for a term; governed by national laws and international treaties (Berne Convention). (Copyright Act; Black’s)
Crime
Public wrong punishable by sanction; elements typically include actus reus and mens rea. Term from Latin “crimen.” (Black’s; penal codes)
Criminal negligence
A culpable mental state where carelessness rises to criminal liability; varies by jurisdiction. (Black’s; penal codes)
Criminal procedure
Procedural rules for arrest, charging, trial, and appeals; includes rights like due process and confrontation. (Constitution; procedural codes)
Caveat
Latin for “let him beware”; used historically as notice in probate, patents, and land registries. (Black’s; registry rules)
Caveat emptor
Latin “let the buyer beware”; governs sales unless warranties or statutes apply. (Black’s; sales law)
Certiorari
Writ directing a lower tribunal to send up records; U.S. Supreme Court certiorari controls discretionary review. Latin origin. (Black’s; Supreme Court practice)
Certificate of title
Registry-issued evidence of ownership, used in Torrens land systems and vehicle registration. (Land registry statutes; Black’s)
Charge (criminal)
Document or statement alleging criminal conduct enabling prosecution; often by indictment or information. (Criminal codes; Black’s)
Charge (security)
Encumbrance on property giving creditor enforcement rights; common under mortgage/charge regimes. (Black’s; insolvency statutes)
Chattels
From Old French “chatel”; denotes tangible movable property as opposed to real property. (Black’s)
Chattel mortgage
Mortgage-like security over goods, historically important before modern secured transactions laws. (Black’s; statutes)
Charter
May mean constitutional instrument (e.g., Charter of Rights) or corporate charter authorizing company. From Latin “cartula.” (Constitution; corporate law)
Charitable trust
Trusts for religion, education, relief; subject to public-benefit tests and cy-près doctrine. (Black’s; trust law)
Charge-off
Creditor records debt as loss; distinct from legal discharge or forgiveness. (Banking practice)
Citation
Legal reference to cases/statutes; also a document summoning a defendant (traffic citation). (Bluebook; procedural rules)
Civil law
Derived from Roman law; contrasts with common law; used across Europe, Asia, Latin America. (Legal history; codes)
Civil procedure
Court rules for pleadings, discovery, trial, and appeals in civil cases. (Civil procedure rules; Black’s)
Claim
Assertion of right to relief (damages, injunction). Pleading initiating litigation often called a claim. (Civil procedure rules; Black’s)
Claimant
Party who brings a claim or seeks remedy; used in civil and administrative contexts. (Civil procedure; statutes)
Class action
Mechanism to aggregate many similar claims for efficiency and consistency. (Black’s; class action statutes)
Classified information
Sensitive material protected from disclosure; impacts discovery and trials. (Statutes; national security law)
Clerical error
Typographical or administrative mistakes remediable by correction orders. (Black’s; procedural rules)
Closing
Transfer of funds and execution of deeds; also called completion. (Real estate practice; statutes)
Cohabitation
Some jurisdictions recognize rights (property, support) after cohabitation; varying statutory regimes. (Family law statutes; Black’s)
Collateral
Assets securing creditor’s claim; governed by secured transactions law and UCC Article 9 in US. (UCC; Black’s)
Collateral estoppel
Issue preclusion bar where issue identical and previously litigated. (Black’s; Restatement)
Collective bargaining
Statutory and contractual process for setting wages and conditions. (Labor statutes; ILO)
Comity
Not obligatory; promotes cooperation across jurisdictions. From Latin “comitas.” (Black’s; conflict of laws)
Commingling
Breach of fiduciary duty; can trigger disgorgement and liability. (Black’s; trust law)
Common carrier
Higher standard of care for carriers transporting goods or passengers. (Black’s; carriage statutes)
Common law
System originating in England emphasizing judicial decisions and stare decisis. (Legal history; Black’s)
Common mistake
May render contract void if mistake destroys basis of agreement. (Black’s; case law)
Community property
Marital regime where most property acquired during marriage owned jointly. (Family law statutes; Black’s)
Comparative negligence
Reduces plaintiff’s recovery by their percentage of fault. (Black’s; tort law)
Compensatory damages
Designed to make injured party whole for actual loss. (Black’s; case law)
Competence
Mental capacity or statutory qualifications for testimony or criminal responsibility. (Black’s; evidentiary rules)
Competent jurisdiction
Power under statute or constitution to adjudicate subject matter and parties. (Black’s; statutes)
Complaint
Pleading that starts civil lawsuit; must state claim and jurisdiction. (Civil procedure rules; Black’s)
Complainant
Often used for victim or party initiating proceedings. (Procedural rules; Black’s)
Complicity
Liability for participation, aiding, abetting, or soliciting. (Black’s; penal codes)
Compromise
Mutual concession to avoid litigation; sometimes protected by settlement rules. (Black’s; settlement practice)
Conciliation
Facilitator assists parties to agreement; common in labor and family disputes. (ADR rules; Black’s)
Conditional fee
Also “no-win, no-fee” arrangements; regulated to protect clients. (Legal services rules; Black’s)
Condition precedent
Distinct from condition subsequent; common in insurance and real estate. (Black’s; Restatement)
Condition subsequent
Contrasts with condition precedent; terminates rights upon event. (Black’s; case law)
Confession
May be admissible if voluntary; Miranda and comparable protections apply. (Black’s; case law)
Confidentiality
Arises by contract, statute (e.g., HIPAA), or fiduciary duty. (Black’s; statutes)
Conflict of laws
Also called choice of law; determines which legal system applies. (Black’s; Restatement (Second) of Conflict of Laws)
Conflict of interest
Mandates disclosure or recusal for lawyers, judges, fiduciaries. (Ethics rules; Black’s)
Confrontation Clause
Sixth Amendment guarantee; key in hearsay and testimonial evidence law (Crawford v. Washington). (US Const.; Supreme Court)
Consent
Common defense in assault, sexual offenses, and property interference. (Black’s; case law)
Consent decree
Often used in regulatory and antitrust cases; merges settlement with judicial enforcement. (Black’s; case law)
Conservatorship
Also called guardianship; statutory frameworks define powers and duties. (Black’s; statutes)
Conspiracy
Independent crime; liability may attach before substantive offense occurs. (Black’s; penal codes)
Constructive dismissal
Constructive termination amounting to wrongful dismissal; remedies include damages. (Employment cases; Black’s)
Constructive fraud
Liability where fiduciary breaches duty enabling unjust enrichment. (Black’s; case law)
Constructive notice
Occurs via public records or visible facts; binds parties as if notified. (Black’s; land registry rules)
Constructive trust
Imposed where one holds property unfairly; remedial trust, not express. (Black’s; equity cases)
Constructive eviction
Tenant treated as evicted and may terminate lease or seek damages. (Black’s; landlord-tenant law)
Constructive possession
Possession inferred by control or access to property. (Black’s; case law)
Contempt
Civil contempt compels compliance; criminal contempt punishes. (Black’s; court rules)
Continuance
Granted for fairness, evidence gathering, or counsel unavailability. (Procedural rules; Black’s)
Continuing trespass
Damages accrue over time rather than single act. (Black’s; case law)
Contra proferentem
Latin phrase used in insurance and commercial contracts. (Black’s; contract law)
Contributory negligence
Replaced by comparative negligence in many places; strict bar where applied. (Black’s; tort law)
Contribution
Allows defendants who paid more than fair share to seek contribution. (Black’s; Restatement)
Control person liability
Statutory and case law create secondary liability for controllers. (Securities Act; SEC cases)
Conversion
Civil remedy for interference with personal property rights. (Black’s; tort law)
Conveyancing
Includes drafting deeds, searches, and registrations. (Land registry rules; Black’s)
Conviction
Judicial determination leading to sentence; may be by jury or judge. (Penal codes; Black’s)
Cooperation agreements
Used in criminal investigations, tax, and regulatory matters. (Treaties; statutes)
Copyright infringement
Remedies include damages, injunctions; statutory tests of copying and substantial similarity. (Copyright Act; Black’s)
Coram nobis
Rare writ allowing resentencing when new facts emerge. (Black’s; case law)
Coroner
May hold inquests; derives from medieval English office “crowner.” (Statutes; Black’s)
Corpus delicti
Latin “body of the crime”; requires evidence separate from confession. (Black’s; case law)
Costs
Rules vary; may include attorney’s fees and court costs. (Civil procedure rules; Black’s)
Counterclaim
Permits efficient resolution of related disputes; compulsory or permissive types. (Civil procedure rules; Black’s)
Counterfeit
Criminalized under statutes protecting currency, trademarks, and documents. (Penal codes; statutes)
Counteroffer
Terminates original offer and proposes new terms; mirror image rule relevant. (Black’s; contract law)
Court
Includes trial, appellate, and specialized courts. (Black’s; constitutions)
Court-martial
Procedural rules differ from civilian courts; governed by military codes. (Uniform Code of Military Justice; military law)
Court of appeal
Reviews legal errors and can affirm, reverse, or remand. (Judicial organization statutes; Black’s)
Court order
Can be interlocutory or final, enforcement mechanisms vary. (Black’s; procedural rules)
Creditors’ rights
Includes foreclosure, liens, set-off, and bankruptcy claims. (Bankruptcy Code; Black’s)
Crime of passion
May mitigate murder to manslaughter in some jurisdictions. (Black’s; case law)
Cross-appeal
Permits review of issues favorable to appellee. (Appellate rules; Black’s)
Cross-examination
Core trial technique protected by confrontation rights. (Black’s; evidentiary rules)
Cross-claim
Addresses related liabilities among co-defendants. (Civil procedure rules; Black’s)
Crown immunity
Historical royal prerogative; modern statutes often limit immunity. (Black’s; Crown Proceedings Act)
Curtilage
Relevant to search and seizure law and trespass. (Black’s; case law)
Custody
Parental custody or police custody; affects decision-making and liberty. (Family statutes; criminal codes)
Custodial sentence
Imposes deprivation of liberty as punishment. (Penal codes; Black’s)
Custodian of records
Key in discovery and subpoenas; chain-of-custody issues relevant. (Procedural rules; Black’s)
Cy-près
From French “as near as possible”; adjusts trusts to effect donor intent. (Black’s; trust law)