Confused by obiter and ratio?
Every legal term, decoded.
The free Legal Jargon Dictionary that translates the terms every law student trips over into plain English - written by someone who has been where you are.
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Real entries from the dictionary
Ratio Decidendi
Rash-ee-o deh-seh-dend-eye
Definition: ‘the reason for the decision’ - the core principle a court uses to reach its judgement, which binds future cases.
Obiter Dictum
Ob-i-ter Dic-tum
Definition: ‘said in passing’ - a judge's aside that isn't essential to the decision, so it doesn't bind future judges.
Prima Facie
Pree-ma fas-ee
Definition: ‘on the face of it’ - based on first impression, taken as true until proven otherwise.
What's inside?
Everything you need to feel on top of your first reading list
Every term with its pronunciation — so you can say it out loud without the fear.
A plain-English definition and a real scenario for each one.
Latin, Irish and English terms, all in one searchable place.
Free, instant, and yours to keep for the whole degree.
Written by someone who's been there
Created by Katie Bealin, law graduate, and nominated for Legal Educator of the Year at the 2026 Irish Law Awards
USED BY STUDENTS AT
Trinity College Dublin,
UCD,
Maynooth University,
UCC,
University of Galway
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