Here's why:
* Latin: Latin was the language of the Roman Empire, and Roman law influenced legal systems across Europe. Many legal terms are derived from Latin, such as:
* Habeas corpus: "You have the body" - a legal writ requiring a person to be brought before a court to determine if their detention is lawful.
* Ad hoc: "For this" - used to describe something created for a specific purpose.
* De facto: "In fact" - used to describe something that exists in reality, even if it's not officially recognized.
* French: After the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, French became the language of the English court. Many legal terms are still used in their French forms, such as:
* Tort: From the French "tort" meaning "wrong" - a civil wrong that causes harm to another.
* Plaintiff: From the French "plaintiff" meaning "complainer" - the person who brings a lawsuit.
* Defendant: From the French "defendant" meaning "one who defends" - the person against whom a lawsuit is brought.
Other influences:
While Latin and French are the dominant influences, legal English also has vocabulary from:
* Old English: Some basic legal terms, like "crime" and "justice," originated in Old English.
* Other languages: Legal English has absorbed words from other languages over time, such as "jurisprudence" (from Latin) and "amicus curiae" (from Latin, meaning "friend of the court").
It's important to remember that legal English is a complex and specialized language with its own set of conventions and terms. This influence from other languages contributes to its unique vocabulary.