This list includes 107 Legal terms that start with I, from “Ignorance of fact” to “Itinerant? (Not legal) – excluded”. The entries cover commonly used phrases, statutory terms, and doctrinal concepts useful in study, research, drafting, and practice.
Legal terms that start with I are words and phrases used in statutes, cases, and legal practice worldwide. Many come from Latin, such as “in rem” and “inter alia”, showing law’s classical roots.
Below you’ll find the table with Term, Definition, Etymology, Jurisdiction, and Notes.
Term: The exact legal word or phrase listed so you can scan entries and locate the term you need quickly.
Definition: A concise legal definition that explains the term’s meaning in practice and helps you grasp its use.
Etymology: A brief origin note showing linguistic roots and approximate date, helping you understand historical context.
Jurisdiction: Notes which jurisdictions commonly use the term so you know whether it applies in your legal system.
Notes: Supplementary comments, examples, or cross-references that clarify nuances and show how the term appears in practice.
Legal terms that start with I
| Term | Part of speech | Etymology/Meaning | Primary jurisdiction(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indemnity | Noun | Latin indemnitas: freedom from loss | Common law; US, UK |
| Indenture | Noun | Latin indentare: to notch; written bond | Common law jurisdictions |
| Indictment | Noun | Old French/Latin indicare: to show, accuse | US federal, common law |
| Indigent | Adjective | Latin indigere: to lack | US, UK, common law |
| Indorsement | Noun | Latin indorsare: to write on back | Negotiable instruments law |
| Inducement | Noun | Latin inducere: lead into | Contract, criminal law |
| Indeterminate sentence | Noun | Late Latin indeterminatus: not fixed | Criminal law (US, UK historically) |
| Indictable offense | Noun | Latin indicare: to accuse | UK, Commonwealth, US |
| Indemnify | Verb | Latin indemnis: unhurt | Contracts, insurance |
| Indirect discrimination | Noun | English + Latin discriminare: distinguish | UK, EU human-rights law |
| Individual mandate | Noun | English + mandate | US federal, state health law |
| Infraction | Noun | Latin infractus: broken | US, UK, civil law |
| In forma pauperis | Noun | Latin: in the form of a pauper | US, UK, common law |
| Injunction | Noun | Latin injungere: to impose | US, UK, civil law |
| Injunction, preliminary | Noun | Latin prae: before | US, UK |
| Injunction, permanent | Noun | Latin permancere: to remain | US, UK |
| In pari delicto | Phrase | Latin: in equal fault | Common law |
| In pari materia | Phrase | Latin: on the same matter | Statutory interpretation (US, UK) |
| In rem | Phrase | Latin: against a thing | Property law, admiralty, probate |
| In personam | Phrase | Latin: against the person | Civil procedure, jurisdiction |
| In terrorem clause | Phrase | Latin: to frighten | Trusts, wills |
| Inchoate offense | Noun | Latin inchoare: begin | Criminal law |
| Incorporation (municipal) | Noun | Latin incorporare: to form into a body | US state law |
| Incorporation (constitutional) | Noun | Latin incorporare | US constitutional law |
| Incorporator | Noun | Latin incorporare: one who forms | Corporate law |
| Incorruptible? (Avoid) – excluded per criteria | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Incorrect entry removed | Noun | N/A | N/A |
| Indemnity clause | Noun | See Indemnity | Contract law |
| Independent contractor | Noun | English + Latin contra: against | Employment, tax |
| Indicia | Noun | Latin indicium: sign | Evidence law |
| Indirect tax | Noun | English | Tax law, public finance |
| Indorsement in blank | Noun | See Indorsement | Negotiable instruments |
| Indictable-only offense | Noun | See Indictable | UK, Commonwealth |
| Information (charging) | Noun | Latin informare: form, instruct | Criminal procedure |
| Infraction of statute | Noun | English + Latin | Statutory law |
| Informal probate | Noun | English | Probate law (US) |
| Information barrier | Noun | English | Securities, corporate law |
| Information and belief | Phrase | Early modern English | Pleadings |
| Ingress | Noun | Latin ingredi: to enter | Property law |
| Injunction bond | Noun | English + Latin | Equity practice |
| Innocent misrepresentation | Noun | English | Contract law |
| Innocent purchaser for value | Noun | English | Property law |
| Inquest | Noun | Old English/Latin inquisitio: inquiry | UK, Commonwealth, coroner law |
| Insanity defense | Noun | English | Criminal law |
| Insider trading | Noun | English | Securities law (US, UK) |
| Inspection of documents | Noun | English | Discovery practice |
| Installment contract | Noun | English | Contract law, sales |
| Installment sale | Noun | English | Tax law |
| Institutional investor | Noun | English | Securities, corporate law |
| Instrument | Noun | Latin instruere: to put in order | Property, contract law |
| Insurable interest | Noun | English | Insurance law |
| Insurance broker | Noun | English | Insurance law |
| Insurance policy | Noun | English | Insurance law |
| Insurer | Noun | Latin insura: to secure | Insurance law |
| Insured | Noun | English | Insurance law |
| Inter alia | Phrase | Latin: among other things | Legal drafting, statutes |
| Inter vivos | Phrase | Latin: between living persons | Trusts, property law |
| Interdict | Noun | Latin interdicere: forbid | Scots law, civil law |
| Interim order | Noun | English | Civil procedure |
| Interlocutory | Adjective | Latin interloqui: to speak between | Civil procedure |
| Interlocutory appeal | Noun | English | Appellate procedure |
| Interpleader | Noun | English | US, UK equity courts |
| Interrogatory | Noun | Latin interrogare: ask | Civil discovery |
| Interstate commerce | Noun | English | US constitutional law |
| Interstate compact | Noun | English | US constitutional law |
| Interstate succession | Noun | English | Probate law |
| Intervention | Noun | English | Civil procedure |
| Intervention of right | Noun | English | Civil procedure (US) |
| Intervention permissive | Noun | English | Civil procedure |
| Interstate commerce clause | Noun | Phrase | US constitutional law |
| Interruption (statute limitation) | Noun | English | Civil procedure |
| Interrorem? (Avoid) – not standard | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Issue | Noun | Old French issue: outcome | Civil and criminal law |
| Issue preclusion | Noun | English | US common law |
| Issuer | Noun | Latin iacere: to throw/form | Securities law |
| Issuance | Noun | French/Latin issu: exit | Court process, securities |
| Isthmian? (Exclude obscure) – excluded per criteria | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Itinerant? (Not legal) – excluded | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| It is important entries removed | Noun | N/A | N/A |
| Ipso facto | Phrase | Latin: by the fact itself | Contract, bankruptcy |
| Irreparable harm | Noun | English | Equity, injunctions |
| Irrevocable | Adjective | Latin revocare: not to be called back | Trusts, contracts |
| Irrevocable trust | Noun | English | Trust law |
| Irretrievable breakdown | Noun | English | Family law (some jurisdictions) |
| Ira? (Acronym excluded) | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Ignorantia juris non excusat | Phrase | Latin: ignorance of law excuses not | Common law |
| Ignorance of fact | Noun | English | Criminal and civil law |
| Immigrant | Noun | Latin immigratus: to move into | Immigration law |
| Immigration law | Noun | English | National law (US, UK, EU) |
| Immunity | Noun | Latin immunitas: freedom from burden | Constitutional, diplomatic, statutory |
| Implied covenant | Noun | English | Contract and lease law |
| Implied contract | Noun | English | Contract law |
| Implied-in-law | Noun | Latin/English | Equitable remedies, restitution |
| Implied-in-fact | Adjective | Latin/English | Contract law |
| Implied powers | Noun | English | Constitutional law |
| Implied warranty | Noun | English | Sales law, UCC |
| Implied warranty of merchantability | Noun | English | UCC, consumer law |
| Implied warranty of fitness | Noun | English | UCC, consumer law |
| Imputed negligence | Noun | English | Tort law |
| Imputed income | Noun | English | Tax and family law |
| Implied repeal | Noun | English | Statutory interpretation |
| Impeach | Verb | Latin impedicare: to accuse | Criminal and constitutional law |
| Impeachment | Noun | Latin impedicare | Constitutional, criminal |
| Implied consent | Noun | English | Traffic, criminal, medical law |
| Imperative? (Adjective; too general) – exclude | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Importation of goods | Noun | English | Customs, trade law |
| Important exclusions note | Noun | English | Meta |
Descriptions
Indemnity
A contractual promise to compensate for loss or damage; commonly used in contracts and insurance (Black’s). Often shifts risk between parties.
Indenture
A formal written contract, historically a deed for debt or bonds; now often a guarantee or mortgage document executed between parties.
Indictment
A formal criminal charge by a grand jury alleging probable cause to prosecute; used in felony prosecutions (US).
Indigent
A person lacking funds to hire counsel; may qualify for appointed counsel or fee waivers in civil and criminal cases.
Indorsement
Alternative spelling of endorsement; act of signing the back of an instrument to transfer rights (UCC; Black’s).
Inducement
Something that persuades or motivates a party’s action; can affect contract validity or criminal culpability.
Indeterminate sentence
A sentence without a fixed release date, allowing parole boards discretion over release timing.
Indictable offense
A serious criminal offense that requires or permits prosecution by indictment before a higher court.
Indemnify
To compensate someone for loss or liability under a contract or insurance policy.
Indirect discrimination
A neutral rule that disproportionately disadvantages a protected group; actionable under equality laws.
Individual mandate
Legal requirement for individuals to obtain health insurance (notably under ACA; varied by jurisdiction).
Infraction
A minor statutory offense, often punishable by fine rather than imprisonment (e.g., traffic infractions).
In forma pauperis
Court permission to proceed without fees due to poverty; often grants appointed counsel or fee waivers.
Injunction
A court order directing a party to do or refrain from specific acts; may be temporary or permanent.
Injunction, preliminary
A temporary court order issued early in litigation to preserve rights until final determination.
Injunction, permanent
A final court order permanently directing or prohibiting actions after full trial.
In pari delicto
Defense that courts will not assist parties equally at fault for wrongdoing; limits equitable relief.
In pari materia
Doctrine that statutes on the same subject should be read together to harmonize meaning.
In rem
A proceeding or judgment directed toward property, not a person; often used in maritime or forfeiture cases.
In personam
Jurisdiction over a particular person permitting judgments against that individual’s rights.
In terrorem clause
A provision designed to penalize beneficiaries (e.g., by forfeiture) for contesting a will or trust.
Inchoate offense
An incomplete crime (e.g., attempt, conspiracy, solicitation) punishable even if the substantive harm didn’t occur.
Incorporation (municipal)
The legal process of creating a municipality (city, town) as a corporate body with powers.
Incorporation (constitutional)
The doctrine applying federal constitutional rights to states via the Fourteenth Amendment’s Due Process Clause.
Incorporator
A person or entity who signs the articles of incorporation to form a corporation.
Incorruptible? (Avoid) – excluded per criteria
N/A
Incorrect entry removed
N/A
Indemnity clause
Contract term shifting risk and requiring one party to hold the other harmless against specified losses.
Independent contractor
A worker engaged for a task but not an employee; key for tax, liability, and labor laws.
Indicia
Circumstantial signs or indicators used to infer legal conclusions, like indicia of ownership.
Indirect tax
A tax collected by an intermediary (e.g., sales tax, VAT) rather than directly from the person taxed.
Indorsement in blank
A signature without specifying a payee making the instrument payable to bearer.
Indictable-only offense
Offense that must be tried only on indictment in a higher court, not in lower summary courts.
Information (charging)
A criminal charging document filed by a prosecutor without grand jury indictment in some jurisdictions.
Infraction of statute
Violation of a statute; severity varies by statute and jurisdiction.
Informal probate
Streamlined probate process for uncontested estates; faster and cheaper than formal probate.
Information barrier
Policies preventing confidential information flow within firms to avoid conflicts of interest.
Information and belief
A pleading phrase indicating a statement is made based on the party’s knowledge and belief.
Ingress
Right or act of entering property; often paired with egress (exit) in easements.
Injunction bond
A security posted by a party seeking an injunction to cover potential damages if injunction is wrongful.
Innocent misrepresentation
A false statement believed true by maker; may allow rescission but usually not damages for fraud.
Innocent purchaser for value
A buyer who purchases without notice of prior claims and for fair value may take free of certain prior interests.
Inquest
A judicial inquiry, often by a coroner, into causes of death or other matters of public concern.
Insanity defense
A legal defense arguing lack of criminal responsibility due to mental disease or defect at the time of offense.
Insider trading
Trading a public company’s securities based on material, nonpublic information; illegal under securities laws.
Inspection of documents
Right of parties in litigation to examine opposing party’s relevant documents and evidence.
Installment contract
A contract to deliver or pay in parts; breach may allow remedies per installment or entire contract.
Installment sale
Sale for which payments are received over time, often with tax deferral (e.g., installment method).
Institutional investor
A large organization investing on behalf of others (pension, mutual fund) with special market roles.
Instrument
A formal legal document (deed, contract, will) creating or transferring legal rights.
Insurable interest
A legal or financial stake enabling purchase of insurance; required to prevent wagering contracts.
Insurance broker
Agent acting as intermediary between insured and insurer, often with fiduciary duties.
Insurance policy
Contract where insurer promises indemnification for specified losses in exchange for premium.
Insurer
The company that provides insurance coverage and assumes risk under a policy.
Insured
Person or entity covered by an insurance policy and entitled to benefits under it.
Inter alia
A phrase used to indicate that listed items are examples, not an exhaustive list.
Inter vivos
A gift or trust created during the grantor’s lifetime, as opposed to testamentary transfers.
Interdict
A court order restraining a person from certain actions; similar to injunctive relief.
Interim order
A temporary court order in ongoing proceedings to preserve status quo until final decision.
Interlocutory
Describes provisional court rulings made before final judgment; often appeal-limited.
Interlocutory appeal
An appeal of an interlocutory order before final judgment; permitted only in specific circumstances.
Interpleader
Procedure allowing a stakeholder holding disputed property to deposit it with court and have claimants litigate entitlement.
Interrogatory
A written question one party sends another to obtain sworn answers during litigation.
Interstate commerce
Commercial activity between states; basis for broad federal regulatory power under Commerce Clause.
Interstate compact
An agreement between two or more states, sometimes requiring congressional consent.
Interstate succession
Rules determining inheritance when decedent held property in multiple states.
Intervention
A procedure allowing non-parties to join ongoing litigation to protect their interests.
Intervention of right
Mandatory joinder allowing a party to intervene when statute or interest so requires.
Intervention permissive
Court may allow a party to join litigation at its discretion when common issues exist.
Interstate commerce clause
Constitutional provision granting Congress power to regulate commerce among states.
Interruption (statute limitation)
Acts that pause or reset statute of limitations, extending filing deadlines.
Interrorem? (Avoid) – not standard
N/A
Issue
A specific legal question in dispute between parties; also denotes children/heirs in some contexts.
Issue preclusion
Doctrinal bar preventing relitigation of an issue already decided in prior litigation (issue estoppel).
Issuer
Entity that creates and offers securities to investors; subject to disclosure and registration rules.
Issuance
Act of formally issuing a process, document, or security (e.g., issuance of summons or stock).
Isthmian? (Exclude obscure) – excluded per criteria
N/A
Itinerant? (Not legal) – excluded
N/A
It is important entries removed
N/A
Ipso facto
A clause or rule that takes effect automatically upon a specified event; some jurisdictions limit ipso facto enforcement in bankruptcy.
Irreparable harm
A type of injury that money cannot adequately remedy; required for injunctive relief.
Irrevocable
Describes a legal instrument that cannot be unilaterally revoked or altered once executed.
Irrevocable trust
A trust the settlor cannot revoke; used for estate planning and asset protection.
Irretrievable breakdown
Ground for no-fault divorce where the marriage has broken beyond repair.
Ira? (Acronym excluded)
N/A
Ignorantia juris non excusat
Foundational principle that lack of knowledge of law is no defense to legal obligation or penalty.
Ignorance of fact
Lack of factual knowledge can negate intent or serve as defense in some offenses and torts.
Immigrant
A noncitizen admitted to reside permanently; subject to different rights and procedures than nonimmigrants.
Immigration law
Body of law governing admission, status, removal, and rights of noncitizens.
Immunity
Freedom from prosecution, suit, tax, or other legal duty, either absolute or qualified.
Implied covenant
An unstated promise inherent in contracts requiring parties to act in good faith and fair dealing.
Implied contract
A contract formed by parties’ conduct rather than explicit words; may be implied-in-fact or in-law.
Implied-in-law
Quasi-contract created by law to prevent unjust enrichment, not by parties’ agreement.
Implied-in-fact
A contract implied from the parties’ conduct and circumstances, showing mutual intent to contract.
Implied powers
Authority not expressly stated but necessary to carry out expressly granted powers (e.g., federal implied powers).
Implied warranty
A warranty imposed by law (merchantability, fitness) even without express promise.
Implied warranty of merchantability
An implied promise that goods are fit for ordinary purposes when sold by a merchant.
Implied warranty of fitness
An implied promise that goods will meet a buyer’s particular purpose when seller knows that purpose.
Imputed negligence
Legal attribution of one person’s negligence to another (e.g., employer for employee), creating vicarious liability.
Imputed income
Income attributed by law to a person (e.g., spousal income for support calculations).
Implied repeal
Doctrine that newer statutes override conflicting older ones when inconsistent, even absent express repeal.
Impeach
To charge a public official with misconduct or to discredit a witness’s credibility at trial.
Impeachment
Formal accusation of wrongdoing against public officials; also process of attacking witness credibility.
Implied consent
Consent inferred from actions or circumstances, e.g., implied consent to breath tests in DUI law.
Imperative? (Adjective; too general) – exclude
N/A
Importation of goods
Legal rules governing bringing goods across borders; often subject to tariffs and prohibitions.
Important exclusions note
This CSV excludes acronyms, nonlegal everyday words, and obsolete slang per request.