This list includes 25 Legal terms that start with K, from “K” to “Schedule K-1”. It collects common courtroom words, statutory headings, and tax and procedural entries. You can use it for study, drafting, exam review, and quick legal reference.
Legal terms that start with K are concise legal words and phrases used in statutes, cases, and daily practice. For example, Schedule K-1 is a well-known U.S. tax form that often appears in partnership and trust filings.
Below you’ll find the table with Term, Definition, Etymology, Jurisdiction, Example, and Source.
Term: The legal word or phrase; you use this to quickly locate the entry you need.
Definition: A concise one- or two-sentence legal definition showing how the term functions in legal practice.
Etymology: Brief origin notes that indicate language roots and historical usage to help you understand the term’s background.
Jurisdiction: Notes on where the term commonly applies so you know whether it is national, regional, or international usage.
Example: A short practical instance or citation showing the term used in context, which aids comprehension and recall.
Source: Citation or authority where the definition is drawn so you can verify meaning and further research.
Legal terms that start with K
| Term | Type | Jurisdiction | Etymology/Meaning | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| K | abbreviation | US, common law | abbreviation of “contract” (English) | Shorthand used in law-school notes and case citations to mean “contract,” common in US and other common-law practice. |
| Schedule K-1 | form | US (tax) | “K” form designation; “Schedule” English | Tax schedule reporting a partner, shareholder, or beneficiary’s share of income, deductions, and credits for US federal returns. |
| K-1 visa | immigration visa | US | “K” US visa class designation | Nonimmigrant visa for foreign fiancés of US citizens to enter, marry within 90 days, and pursue adjustment of status. |
| K-2 visa | immigration visa | US | “K” visa subclass (US) | Nonimmigrant visa for certain children of K-1 visa holders, permitting them to accompany the primary beneficiary to the US. |
| K-3 visa | immigration visa | US | “K” visa subclass (US) | Nonimmigrant visa for spouses of US citizens to enter the US while their immigrant visa petition is processed. |
| K-9 unit | law enforcement unit | US, UK, common law | “K-9” play on “canine” (English) | Police or security unit employing trained dogs for detection, tracking, and law enforcement duties; referenced in agency rules and court practice. |
| Kidnapping | criminal offence | common law, US, UK | from “kid” + “nap” (seize child), 18th-century English | Unlawful taking or detention of a person by force, threat, or deception; elements and penalties vary by jurisdiction. |
| Kickback | offence/remedy | US, international | from “kick” + “back” (return payment), English | Illegal or improper payment made to induce referrals or influence decisions; prohibited by anti-kickback statutes and procurement laws. |
| Kiting | fraud | US, common law | from “kite” (fraudulent check), 19th-century English | Fraud involving floating funds between bank accounts or checks to create artificial balances; often prosecuted under fraud statutes. |
| King’s Counsel | role | UK, Commonwealth | “King’s” + “counsel” (advisor, Latin/English) | Senior barrister appointed by the sovereign (post-2022, KC); denotes experience and special status in many Commonwealth jurisdictions. |
| King’s Bench | court | UK, common law history | “King’s” + “bench” (royal court), English | Historic superior court (Court of King’s Bench) for major civil and criminal matters; term persists in modern court names and legal history. |
| King’s evidence | procedure | UK, Commonwealth | “King’s” + “evidence” (English) | Practice where an accomplice testifies for the prosecution, often receiving immunity or reduced charges; now called turning state’s evidence in some places. |
| Knock-and-announce rule | procedure | US | literal: knock then announce (English) | Fourth Amendment principle requiring officers to knock, identify themselves, and wait before forcible entry for searches, subject to defined exceptions. |
| Knockout rule | doctrine | US contract law | literal “knock out” (English) | In battle-of-the-forms situations, conflicting terms are knocked out and replaced by default Uniform Commercial Code provisions (see UCC §2-207). |
| Knock-for-knock agreement | clause | international oil & gas, marine insurance | literal phrasing (English) | Contractual allocation where each party bears its own losses and indemnifies others, common in energy and marine contracts to simplify liability. |
| Know Your Customer (KYC) | compliance procedure | international, US, EU | English phrase; acronym KYC | Regulatory requirement for financial institutions to verify customer identity and assess risk to prevent money laundering and fraud. |
| Knowledge | mens rea/evidence term | common law, US | Old English ‘cnāwan’ meaning “to know” | Legal concept of awareness or information used in criminal intent and civil liability; distinctions include actual and constructive knowledge. |
| Kiddie tax | tax rule | US | informal “kiddie” + “tax” (English) | US tax rule that taxes certain unearned income of children at higher rates to prevent income-shifting to lower brackets. |
| Keyman clause | contract clause | US, UK, commercial law | “key man” literal English phrase | Contract provision allowing termination, suspension, or specific remedies if a designated essential person becomes unavailable or is removed. |
| Keepwell agreement | financial covenant | international banking, finance | “keep” + “well” (English) | Parent-company promise to maintain a subsidiary’s financial health or liquidity, used as credit support in cross-border financing. |
| Kingpin | offence designation | US federal, international sanctions | “king” + “pin” (leader), English | Term for a principal drug trafficker or crime leader, used in statutes and sanctions (e.g., Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act). |
| Kleptocracy | political/criminal term | international law, anti-corruption | Greek ‘kleptēs’ (thief) + ‘kratos’ (rule) | System of governance marked by theft of public assets; used in legal contexts for sanctions, asset recovery, and international anti-corruption efforts. |
| Knowledge requirement | evidentiary doctrine | common law, US | English compound (knowledge + requirement) | Threshold that a party must have had awareness or notice for liability, duty to disclose, or culpability in various legal contexts. |
| Knockout clause | contract clause | commercial law, international | literal “knock out” (English) | Contract provision that removes conflicting terms (mirrors the knockout rule), leaving standard or statutory defaults to govern. |
| Kleptocrat | descriptor/target | international law, sanctions | Greek ‘kleptēs’ (thief) + ‘-crat’ (ruler) | Individual ruler or official who enriches themselves through public corruption; often targeted by sanctions and asset-recovery measures. |
Descriptions
K
Schedule K-1
K-1 visa
K-2 visa
K-3 visa
K-9 unit
Kidnapping
Kickback
Kiting
King’s Counsel
King’s Bench
King’s evidence
Knock-and-announce rule
Knockout rule
Knock-for-knock agreement
Know Your Customer (KYC)
Knowledge
Kiddie tax
Keyman clause
Keepwell agreement
Kingpin
Kleptocracy
Knowledge requirement
Knockout clause
Kleptocrat