legal error

USAGE SUMMARY

"legal error" is a correct and commonly used term in written English, particularly in the field of law.
It refers to a mistake or incorrect interpretation of the law that has been made in a legal decision or argument. Example: The defense lawyer argued that the plaintiff's case should be dismissed due to a legal error committed by the prosecution during the trial. In this example, the term "legal error" is used to describe a mistake made by the prosecution that has potentially affected the outcome of the trial.

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"That is a legal error".

The Guardian

Williams' only real chance is to argue some legal error.

The New York Times

Were the verdicts, even if arrived at through selective evidence and legal error, actually unjust?

The New Yorker

Adani blamed the result on "a technical legal error from the federal environment department".

The Guardian

(Because of a legal error by the judge, the conviction was later overturned).

The New Yorker

In 10 other cases he joined a majority of the court in reversing because of legal error.

The New York Times

The statements and the delay, however, came after a legal error of the court itself, which misinterpreted a federal law.

The New York Times

Any legal error, no matter how detailed or minute, may cause a defect in the title that impairs its marketability.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In his appeal, Mr. Lakian argues that Judge Jacobs made a legal error by declaring that The Globe had won.

The New York Times

The former attracts the Court's attention because the legal error it perceives is apparent on the surface of the case.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"I think these results show that, just like everyone else, we can be tricked into this psycho-legal error that a plausible biological cause becomes an excuse at some point".

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing potential grounds for appeal, use "legal error" to indicate a specific mistake in the application or interpretation of law, rather than a disagreement with the outcome.

Common error

Avoid labeling a legal decision as a "legal error" simply because you disagree with the outcome. A "legal error" must involve a demonstrable mistake in the application of the law or legal procedure.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "legal error" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically sound and readily used. It identifies a specific type of mistake within the legal system.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Academia

31%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "legal error" is a commonly used and grammatically sound noun phrase that identifies a mistake in the application or interpretation of law. Ludwig AI validates the correctness and frequent use of this phrase. It is most often found in news media and academic contexts, indicating a neutral to professional register. When using the term, ensure that there is a demonstrable mistake in legal procedure or application rather than simply disagreeing with the outcome. Alternatives include "judicial error" and "error of law", each with slightly different nuances. The phrase's prevalence in authoritative sources underscores its importance in legal and journalistic discourse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

judicial error

Focuses specifically on errors made by a judge.

procedural error

Refers to a mistake in the established legal process.

error of law

Emphasizes the misapplication or misinterpretation of the law itself.

legal mistake

A more general term for an error within the legal domain.

erroneous judgment

Highlights that the error led to an incorrect verdict or decision.

flaw in the legal process

Identifies the problem as existing within the system itself.

defect in legal reasoning

Points to a problem in the rationale used to make a legal decision.

invalid legal basis

Indicates that the legal decision lacks a proper foundation.

miscarriage of justice

Signifies a serious failure in the legal system resulting in an unfair outcome.

reversible error

Specifies that the error is significant enough to warrant overturning the decision.

FAQs

How is "legal error" typically used in a sentence?

The phrase "legal error" is used to describe a mistake in the application or interpretation of the law. For example: "The appeal was based on the claim of a "legal error" by the trial judge".

What's a good alternative to "legal error"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "legal error" include "judicial error", "procedural error", or "error of law".

Is a "legal error" the same as a "miscarriage of justice"?

While a "legal error" can contribute to a "miscarriage of justice", they aren't always the same. A "legal error" is a specific mistake in the law, while a "miscarriage of justice" refers to a broader failure to achieve a fair outcome.

What makes a "legal error" reversible on appeal?

A "legal error" is considered reversible if it is shown to have significantly affected the outcome of the case. This is often referred to as a "reversible error", meaning it was so significant that it likely changed the result.