Plain-English Law

Legal Glossary

Clear, concise definitions for the legal terms you run into in contracts, leases, notices, court papers and everyday disputes, written so they actually make sense.

An attorney and an AI legal assistant reviewing a case together

11 terms

A

Courts Affidavit An affidavit is a written statement of facts that a person, called the affiant, swears or affirms is true, usually before a notary or other authorized officer. Affidavits are commonly used to support court filings and other legal proceedings. View definition AI & Legal Technology AI Lawyer An AI lawyer is an artificial intelligence system designed to assist with legal tasks such as research, contract review, drafting, document analysis, and matter organization. The term refers to legal software, not a licensed human attorney. View definition AI & Legal Technology AI Legal Assistant An AI legal assistant is software that uses artificial intelligence to support legal tasks such as research, contract review, document analysis, drafting, and matter organization. It assists with legal work but is not itself a licensed lawyer. View definition Business & Corporate Law Articles of Incorporation Articles of incorporation are the formation document filed with a state to create a corporation. They typically provide basic information such as the corporation’s name, registered agent, share structure, and incorporator, although requirements and terminology vary by state. View definition

C

Business & Corporate Law Corporation Definition A corporation is a legal entity created under state law that is separate from its owners, usually called shareholders. It can own property, enter contracts, incur debts, sue or be sued, and operate through directors and officers. View definition

L

AI & Legal Technology Legal AI Legal AI is the broad category of artificial intelligence technology used for legal work, including legal research, contract analysis, document review, drafting, e-discovery, compliance, and matter management. View definition AI & Legal Technology Legal Automation Legal automation is the use of software to perform legal or law-office tasks automatically based on triggers, rules, workflows, templates, or AI rather than requiring every step to be completed manually. View definition AI & Legal Technology Legal Technology Legal technology, or legal tech, is software and digital technology used to perform, support, organize, or improve legal work, from case management and e-signatures to legal research and AI. View definition Business & Corporate Law Limited Liability Company A limited liability company, or LLC, is a business entity created under state law whose owners are called members. It generally separates the company’s legal obligations from the members’ personal assets while allowing flexible ownership, management, and federal tax treatment. View definition Business & Corporate Law LLC LLC stands for limited liability company, a business entity formed under state law whose owners are called members and who generally are not personally liable for the company's debts solely because they own it. View definition

S

Core Legal Concepts Statute of Limitations A statute of limitations is a law that sets a deadline for filing a legal claim or, in criminal matters, beginning a prosecution. The deadline varies by jurisdiction and type of case, and rules about accrual, discovery, or tolling can affect when the clock starts or pauses. View definition