This list includes 25 Legal terms that start with Q, organized from “Qualified immunity” to “Quorum”. They cover procedural rules, rights, doctrines, and transactional concepts found in statutes and case law.
Legal terms that start with Q are specialized words and phrases used in statutes, cases, and legal analysis. Many trace to Latin or Norman French roots, and examples like “quid pro quo” appear frequently in contract and employment law.
Below you’ll find the table with Term, Definition, Etymology, Jurisdiction, Example, and Source.
Term: The headword for each entry so you can scan the list quickly and jump to the term you need.
Definition: A concise legal definition that explains meaning and typical use, helping you grasp the term for study or practice.
Etymology: A brief origin note showing language roots and historical context to illuminate how the term developed.
Jurisdiction: Indicates where the term commonly applies so you know whether it is federal, state, common-law, or civil-law relevant.
Example: A short practical example or notable use that shows the term in a real legal context you can relate to.
Source: References to authoritative materials—statutes, case law, or legal dictionaries—so you can follow up for full details.
Legal terms that start with Q
| Term | Part of speech | Jurisdiction | Meaning | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quash | verb | Common law | Annul or suppress a legal process or order | To annul or suppress a process such as an indictment or subpoena (from Middle English quashen). Used in motions to quash in common law courts. [Black’s] |
| Quasi-contract | noun | Common law | Court-imposed obligation to prevent unjust enrichment | An obligation imposed by law when no express contract exists to avoid unjust enrichment (quasi “as if”). Recognized in common law and Restatements. [Black’s] |
| Quasi in rem | phrase | Common law | Jurisdiction over property rather than the person | Jurisdiction over a defendant’s property to adjudicate rights related to that property (Latin “as if concerning a thing”). Common in civil procedure doctrines. [Black’s] |
| Quasi-judicial | adjective | General | Performing functions similar to a court or judge | Describing administrative bodies that make binding determinations using adjudicative procedures (quasi “as if”). Appears in administrative and international law. [Black’s] |
| Quasi-criminal | adjective | Common law | Noncriminal proceeding with punitive features like fines or sanctions | Describes offenses or proceedings that are not crimes but resemble criminal process or penalties (quasi “as if”). Used in regulatory law. [Black’s] |
| Quantum meruit | noun | Common law | Recovery for the reasonable value of services rendered | Remedy awarding reasonable payment where no contract sets price “as much as he deserved” (from Latin). Common in unjust enrichment claims. [Black’s] |
| Quantum valebant | noun | Common law | Recovery for the reasonable value of goods sold | Recovery for goods when no price is fixed “as much as they were worth” (from Latin). Less common than quantum meruit. [Black’s] |
| Quid pro quo | phrase | General | Something given or taken in return for something else | Mutual exchange “something for something” central to contract, employment discrimination, and bribery law (from Latin). [Black’s] |
| Quorum | noun | General | Minimum number of members needed to transact business | Minimum officials required for valid meetings or votes; term derives from Latin usage for required jurors. Applies in corporate and legislative rules. [Black’s] |
| Quitclaim | verb | US | To transfer whatever interest one has without warranty | To release whatever present interest the grantor holds in property without guaranteeing title (quit + claim). Common in U.S. conveyancing. [Black’s] |
| Quitclaim deed | noun | US | Deed that conveys grantor’s interest without warranties | Instrument transferring only the grantor’s present interest with no covenants of title. Widely used in U.S. real estate practice. (quit + claim) [Black’s] |
| Quiet title | phrase | US | Action to establish ownership and remove competing claims | Suit to adjudicate and “quiet” competing claims or clouds on real property title. Common in property litigation. (quiet “to make peaceful”) [Black’s] |
| Quiet enjoyment | phrase | General | Tenant’s right to undisturbed use and possession of property | Covenant that a tenant will not be disturbed in possession by landlord or third parties. Central in lease law. (quiet + enjoyment) [Black’s] |
| Quasi-estoppel | noun | Common law | Doctrine barring inconsistent positions that would harm another | Equitable bar preventing a party from asserting a position contrary to prior conduct or admission when others relied on it (quasi “as if”). [Black’s] |
| Question of law | phrase | General | Legal issue concerning interpretation or application of law | Issue decided by a judge involving legal principles and reviewed de novo on appeal. Contrasts with factual questions. (from Latin quaestio) [Black’s] |
| Question of fact | phrase | General | Factual issue reserved for the jury or factfinder | Dispute about facts resolved by a jury or finder of fact with appellate deference. (from Latin quaestio) [Black’s] |
| Qualified immunity | noun | US | Limited protection for officials against civil liability | U.S. doctrine shielding government officials unless they violated clearly established statutory or constitutional rights. Developed in Supreme Court jurisprudence. (qualified) [U.S. Supreme Court] |
| Qualified privilege | noun | Common law | Limited defamation defense for certain communications | Defense allowing otherwise defamatory statements in protected contexts like employment references absent malice. (qualified) [Black’s] |
| Qualified majority | noun | International | Voting threshold above a simple majority for certain decisions | Requirement of a specified larger share (e.g., two-thirds) for important legislative or international decisions. Used in parliaments and organizations. (qualified) [Black’s] |
| Quasi-property | noun | Common law | Rights that resemble property but are limited in scope | Court-created limited proprietary-like rights (e.g., to protect commercial interests or certain news content) that stop short of full ownership (quasi). [Black’s] |
| Quasi-delict | noun | Civil law | Civil wrong similar to a tort in civil-law systems | Civil-law category for wrongful acts causing harm akin to torts, derived from Roman law terminology (delictum). [Civil law] |
| Quarantine | noun | International | Legal isolation to prevent spread of contagious disease | Statutory power to isolate persons or goods to prevent contagion. Term from Italian quaranta “forty days.” Used in public health law worldwide. [Public health statutes] |
| Quarter sessions | noun | UK | Historical local courts that met quarterly for criminal matters | English local courts handling misdemeanors and administration meeting quarterly; largely abolished and replaced by modern courts. (from “quarter”) [UK legal history] |
| Quartering of soldiers | phrase | US | Forcing residents to house soldiers; constitutionally prohibited | Compulsory lodging of soldiers in private homes; prohibited by the U.S. Constitution Third Amendment. (from “quarter”) [U.S. Const. III] |
| Quantum of proof | phrase | General | Degree or amount of evidence required in a case | The required level of proof in litigation (e.g., preponderance, clear and convincing, beyond reasonable doubt). (quantum “amount”) [Black’s] |
Descriptions
Quash
Quasi-contract
Quasi in rem
Quasi-judicial
Quasi-criminal
Quantum meruit
Quantum valebant
Quid pro quo
Quorum
Quitclaim
Quitclaim deed
Quiet title
Quiet enjoyment
Quasi-estoppel
Question of law
Question of fact
Qualified immunity
Qualified privilege
Qualified majority
Quasi-property
Quasi-delict
Quarantine
Quarter sessions
Quartering of soldiers
Quantum of proof