Legal Definitions - Law French

Law French refers to a specialized dialect of the French language that developed in England following the Norman Conquest of 1066. For several centuries, it served as the primary language of the English legal system, used in court proceedings, legal documents, and statutes. Over time, it diverged significantly from the French spoken in France, incorporating English vocabulary and unique legal terminology, before gradually being replaced by English and Latin in legal contexts.

Here are some examples illustrating the use of Law French:

• Courtroom Proceedings: Imagine a trial taking place in an English court during the 14th century. The barristers presenting their arguments, the judge issuing rulings, and the clerks recording the proceedings would have largely communicated using Law French. For instance, a lawyer might refer to a legal concept using a phrase like "oyer et terminer" (to hear and determine), which is a direct legacy of Law French, demonstrating its role as the spoken language of legal discourse in court.

• Early English Statutes: If a historian were to examine an original copy of a significant English statute from the 13th or 14th century, such as a foundational act of Parliament, they would find it written in Law French. Many of England's earliest laws were drafted and recorded in this language. This illustrates how Law French was the official language for creating and preserving legislation, making it essential for understanding the historical development of English law.

• Legal Education and Scholarship: Consider a student attending one of the Inns of Court in London during the 15th century, learning to become a lawyer. Their textbooks, legal commentaries, and the mock trials (known as "moots") they participated in would all have been conducted and written in Law French. This shows how Law French was not just for practical legal work but also the fundamental language of legal education and scholarly thought for aspiring legal professionals for hundreds of years.