Browse full definitions for every SL term in the Amicus glossary.
/ˈɛs.el.eɪ/
The parties signed the SLA to outline their special terms of cooperation.
SLA is commonly used in contract law primarily as an abbreviation for Service Level Agreement; ensure clarity by defining the acronym at first use.
/ˈslændər/
He was sued for slander after making untrue allegations about his colleague.
She claimed he slandered her during the meeting.
Slander differs from libel by being spoken rather than written; distinguishing the two is critical in legal pleadings and claims.
/ˈslæŋ/
The court rejected the use of slang terms in the official testimony to maintain clarity.
Slang is generally avoided in legal drafting to ensure precision and minimize ambiguity.
/ˈsleɪt/
The party announced its slate of candidates for the upcoming election.
The court set the slate for the trial dates next month.
In legal contexts, 'slate' often refers specifically to a prearranged list of candidates, which can have strategic implications in elections or appointments.
/ˈsleɪv/
The legal abolition of the slave trade marked a pivotal moment in human rights history.
The contract stipulated that the secondary system would slave to the primary device's operations.
In legal drafting, distinguish clearly between 'slave' as a noun denoting a person under ownership and 'slave' as a verb describing control or subordination, especially in technical or contract law contexts.
/ˈsleɪv ˈleɪbər/
The international community condemns slave labor as a violation of human rights.
In legal contexts, 'slave labor' denotes extreme forms of labor exploitation that violate fundamental rights; statutes often prohibit such practices explicitly.
/ˈsleɪv treɪd/
The transatlantic slave trade was a brutal chapter in world history repudiated by modern legal systems.
Legal discussions of 'slave trade' often focus on its prohibition under treaties and customary international law; modern references emphasize its illegality and human rights implications.
/ˈsleɪvəri/
Slavery was abolished in many countries during the 19th century.
International law prohibits slavery and human trafficking.
Slavery as a legal term encompasses both ownership-based bondage and forced labor systems; modern legal frameworks often use related terms to address evolving forms of exploitation.
/ˈslaɪdɪŋ skæl/
The court applied a sliding scale to calculate the fines based on the defendant's income.
The agency used a sliding scale of penalties depending on the severity of the violation.
Sliding scales allow flexible adjustment of fees, penalties, or regulatory scrutiny to accommodate varying circumstances, promoting fairness and proportionality in legal processes.
/ˈslɪp lɔː/
The bill was first published as a slip law before inclusion in the official statute books.
Slip laws allow prompt public access to newly enacted legislation prior to its codification; drafters should ensure accurate citation for legal reference.
/ˈslɪpəri sloʊp/
The lawyer warned that accepting the contract clause could set a slippery slope toward excessive liability.
Often used to critique arguments predicting extreme outcomes without sufficient causal basis; important to distinguish from valid causal reasoning.
/ˈslɪpəri sloʊ əˈrgjumənt/
The defense warned the court against accepting the slippery slope argument that would effectively erode established rights.
In legal drafting and argumentation, slippery slope arguments should be used cautiously and supported by evidence to avoid being dismissed as fallacious.
/ˈsloʊɡən/
The company protected its slogan from unauthorized use to maintain its brand identity.
In legal contexts, slogans may qualify for trademark protection if they function as source identifiers; drafting should ensure distinctiveness to strengthen enforceability.
/ˈslɒt məˌʃiːn/
The casino installed new slot machines to attract more patrons.
When drafting regulations, clearly define 'slot machine' to distinguish it from other gaming devices subject to different legal standards.
