This list includes 52 Legal terms that start with H, from “Habeas corpus” to “Hypothetical question”. Many entries appear across courtroom practice, contracts, and statutory language. You can use this collection for study, quick reference, or exam review.
Legal terms that start with H are specialized words and phrases used across public and private law. For example, “Habeas corpus” traces to medieval English practice and remains central to liberty protections.
Below you’ll find the table with Term, Definition, Etymology, Jurisdiction/Notes, Example usage, and Related terms.
Term: The legal word or phrase that identifies each entry, so you can locate and recognize terms quickly.
Definition: A concise legal definition summarizing core meaning and use, so you understand how the term applies in practice.
Etymology: Brief origin notes showing language roots and historical context, helping you see where the term came from.
Jurisdiction/Notes: Shows the jurisdictions or special conditions where the term matters, helping you judge its relevance.
Example usage: A short example or phrasing that demonstrates real-world use, so you see how the term appears in documents or court.
Related terms: Pointers to similar or contrasting entries, helping you expand research and understand connections across concepts.
Legal terms that start with H
| Term | Part of speech | Jurisdiction | Etymology |
|---|---|---|---|
| Habeas corpus | phr. | US, UK, International | Latin, 13th c. |
| Habendum clause | n. | US, UK | Law Latin, 17th c. |
| Habit | n. | US, UK, Canada | Old English, c. 11th c. |
| Hearsay | n. | US, UK, Canada | Middle English, 14th c. |
| Hearsay exception | phr. | US, UK, Canada | English, 18th–19th c. |
| Hearing | n. | US, UK, Canada | Old English, c. 11th c. |
| Heir | n. | US, UK, Canada | Old English, c. 11th c. |
| Heir apparent | n. | US, UK | Old French/Latin, medieval |
| Heir at law | phr. | US, UK, Canada | Old English/Norman, medieval |
| Holographic will | n. | US, UK (some states) | Greek/Latin, 17th c. |
| Holding | n. | US, UK, Canada | Old English, c. 11th c. |
| Homestead | n. | US, Canada, AU | Old English, medieval |
| Homestead exemption | phr. | US, Canada, AU | English, 19th c. |
| Home rule | n. | US, UK | English, 19th c. |
| House arrest | n. | US, UK, Canada | English, 20th c. |
| Hostile witness | phr. | US, UK | English, 19th–20th c. |
| Hostile work environment | phr. | US, Canada | English, 20th c. |
| Hostile possession | phr. | US, UK | English, common law |
| Holding company | n. | US, UK, International | English, 19th c. |
| Holder | n. | US, UK | English, 19th c. |
| Holder in due course | phr. | US, UK | English, 19th c. |
| Hold harmless | phr. | US, UK | English, 20th c. |
| Harmless error | phr. | US, UK | English, 19th c. |
| Harassment | n. | US, UK, Canada | Old English/French, 19th–20th c. |
| Hazardous waste | n. | US, International | English, 20th c. |
| Hardship | n. | US, UK, International | Old English, medieval |
| Headnote | n. | US, UK | English, 19th c. |
| Health-care proxy | n. | US, UK, Canada | English, 20th c. |
| Human rights | n. | International, UK, EU, US | English, 17th–18th c. |
| Habeas data | phr. | Latin America, International | Latin, 20th c. |
| Habeas corpus ad testificandum | phr. | US, UK | Latin, medieval |
| Habeas corpus ad subjiciendum | phr. | US, UK | Latin, medieval |
| Holograph | n. | US, UK (obsolete/technical) | Greek/Latin, 17th c. |
| Homologation | n. | EU, Civil law countries | Latin/French, 18th–19th c. |
| Homologate | v. | EU, Civil law countries | Latin/French, 18th–19th c. |
| Hung jury | phr. | US, UK, Canada | English, 18th–19th c. |
| Homicide | n. | US, UK, Canada | Latin, medieval |
| Hostile takeover | phr. | US, International | English, 20th c. |
| Humanitarian parole | phr. | US | English, 20th c. |
| Human subject | n. | US, International | English, 20th c. |
| Honest services | n. | US | English, 20th c. |
| Hypothecation | n. | US, UK, International | Greek/Latin, 17th c. |
| Hypothetical question | phr. | US, UK | English, 19th–20th c. |
| Householder’s lien | phr. | US, UK (statutory) | English, 19th–20th c. |
| High Court | n. | UK, AU, many | English, medieval–modern |
| Home invasion | n. | US, Canada | English, 20th c. |
| Homeowner association (HOA) | n. | US | English, 20th c. |
| Homestead declaration | phr. | US | English, 19th c. |
| Husband | n. | US, UK, Canada | Old English, c. 11th c. |
| Heirs and assigns | phr. | US, UK | English, medieval |
| Holder of legal title | phr. | US, UK | English, 19th c. |
| Humanitarian relief | phr. | International, US | English, 19th–20th c. |
Descriptions
Habeas corpus
A writ requiring a person detained to be brought before a court so the legality of detention can be reviewed; central common-law remedy against unlawful imprisonment.
Habendum clause
Deed clause specifying the extent and type of interest granted (e.g., “to have and to hold”); common in property conveyances.
Habit
Evidence concept: regular, semi-automatic behavior admissible to show how a person likely acted on a specific occasion (distinct from character evidence).
Hearsay
An out-of-court statement offered to prove the truth of the matter asserted; generally inadmissible except under recognized exceptions (e.g., business records).
Hearsay exception
Recognized circumstances allowing hearsay into evidence (e.g., dying declarations, present sense impressions); rules vary by jurisdiction.
Hearing
A procedural proceeding before a judge, tribunal, or administrative agency to receive evidence or argument prior to a decision.
Heir
Person entitled to inherit property under intestacy rules; differs from “legatee” (willed beneficiary) in many systems.
Heir apparent
An heir whose right to inherit is indefeasible by later births; commonly used in hereditary-title and estate contexts.
Heir at law
A person entitled by statutory intestacy rules to inherit an estate when there is no valid will.
Holographic will
A will wholly handwritten and signed by the testator; recognized in some jurisdictions without witnesses.
Holding
The court’s legal determination on a point of law controlling the outcome of a case; distinguishes from dicta (nonbinding commentary).
Homestead
Legal protections for a family’s dwelling from creditors or forced sale; specifics vary by statute and jurisdiction.
Homestead exemption
Statutory allowance that shields part of homeowner equity from creditors or reduces property tax; details differ by jurisdiction.
Home rule
Local self-government authority granted to municipalities to make decisions without state or national interference; scope varies by constitution/statute.
House arrest
Court-ordered confinement of a defendant to their residence as a form of pretrial release or sentence alternative.
Hostile witness
A witness shown to be antagonistic to the examining party, permitting leading questions and different impeachment procedures.
Hostile work environment
Employment-discrimination theory where pervasive, severe harassment creates abusive workplace conditions actionable under anti-discrimination laws.
Hostile possession
Element of adverse possession where possession is without permission and inconsistent with owner’s rights; jurisdictional tests differ.
Holding company
A corporation whose primary business is owning stock or assets of other companies to control them; central in corporate law and regulation.
Holder
Person in possession of a negotiable instrument (or property) with the rights to enforce it; defined in commercial codes.
Holder in due course
A transferee of a negotiable instrument who acquires it for value, in good faith, without notice of defects, gaining certain protections.
Hold harmless
Contract clause by which one party agrees to indemnify or release another from liability for specified claims or losses.
Harmless error
Appellate doctrine that an error in the trial proceedings does not require reversal if it likely did not affect the outcome.
Harassment
Unwanted conduct (e.g., sexual, workplace) that creates hostile or offensive conditions; actionable under employment and anti-discrimination laws.
Hazardous waste
Statutorily defined dangerous substances subject to environmental regulation and disposal rules (e.g., RCRA in the U.S.).
Hardship
Contract law concept allowing relief or renegotiation when unforeseen events make performance excessively burdensome.
Headnote
A publisher’s brief summary of a court decision’s points of law; not authoritative for legal propositions but useful for research.
Health-care proxy
A document appointing an agent to make medical decisions for an incapacitated person; terminology varies (durable power of attorney for health).
Human rights
Fundamental rights and freedoms protected by constitutions, treaties, and conventions (e.g., ICCPR, ECHR); domestic enforcement varies.
Habeas data
A remedy protecting personal data and privacy, allowing access, correction, or deletion of records; used in many Latin American constitutions.
Habeas corpus ad testificandum
A writ directing that a prisoner be produced to testify in court or before a tribunal; historically distinct writ category.
Habeas corpus ad subjiciendum
Classic writ commanding production of a detainee to assess lawfulness of restraint; often shortened to “habeas corpus.”
Holograph
Short for holographic will in some authorities; refers to handwritten testamentary documents recognized in certain jurisdictions.
Homologation
Judicial or administrative approval/confirmation of documents, settlements, or foreign judgments in civil-law systems.
Homologate
To approve or confirm officially (e.g., a settlement) so it becomes enforceable by a court.
Hung jury
A jury unable to reach the unanimous (or required) verdict, often leading to mistrial and possible retrial.
Homicide
The killing of one human being by another; includes lawful (e.g., self-defense) and unlawful forms (murder, manslaughter) under criminal law.
Hostile takeover
Acquisition attempt of a company opposed by its board, often via tender offer or proxy contest; central in corporate law and securities.
Humanitarian parole
Temporary permission allowing entry into the U.S. for urgent humanitarian reasons; immigration relief, discretionary and limited.
Human subject
A living person participating in research, protected by ethics and regulations (e.g., informed consent, IRB oversight).
Honest services
Federal criminal doctrine concerning deprivation of the right to honest services by public/private officials; elements and scope have been narrowed by courts.
Hypothecation
Pledging asset as security for a debt without transferring title, common in finance and secured transactions.
Hypothetical question
Question posed to expert witnesses about a hypothetical set of facts to elicit opinion evidence; admissibility depends on relevance and foundation.
Householder’s lien
Statutory or common-law lien allowing persons (e.g., contractors) to secure payment against property they improved; scope varies by law.
High Court
Name for a superior court in many jurisdictions (e.g., England’s High Court); represents court of significant original or appellate jurisdiction.
Home invasion
Criminal offense involving unlawful entry into an occupied dwelling with intent to commit a violent felony; statutory elements vary.
Homeowner association (HOA)
Private association governing common-interest communities, enforcing covenants, conditions, and restrictions (CC&Rs); authority arises from recordings and bylaws.
Homestead declaration
Statutory or recorded declaration claiming homestead protections or exemptions under state law; formalizes creditor shields.
Husband
Legal status term denoting a married male spouse; relevant to family law, inheritance, and benefits.
Heirs and assigns
Common conveyancing phrase denoting that obligations/benefits pass to descendants and transferees; appears in deeds and contracts.
Holder of legal title
Person who holds formal legal title to property, possibly separate from equitable ownership; relevant in trusts and conveyancing.
Humanitarian relief
Broad term for aid and legal measures (e.g., asylum, refuge, visa relief) provided for humanitarian reasons under domestic or international law.