Here is a non-exhaustive list of prepositions in common usage in legal English, together with examples of usage. Note that prepositions are sometimes used in twos (pursuant to, owing to, due to etc) and even threes (as far as, by means of, in accordance with etc), and examples of prepositions strung together in this way are also included below.
One word
about – the lawyer was about to go into court when the telephone rang
above – please refer to the paragraph above which deals with the insurance arrangements
across – she went across to the court to issue the proceedings
after – the contract was signed after the parties had agreed the prices to be paid for the goods
against – the company began trademark infringement proceedings against one of its competitors
along – the client did not go along with the advice given by the lawyer
among (or amongst) – a copy of the plan of the property was found among the papers in the file
around – we expect the purchase price to be around €500,000
at – the contract stipulates that the goods must arrive at the depot at 10.00 on 13 July
before – the lawyer appeared before the judge in court and argued her client’s case
behind – it seemed likely that a criminal gang was behind the thefts from the local garage
below – the company was not prepared to consider offers below a threshold of $3 million
beneath – the Emperor of Ruritania considered it beneath his dignity to open a supermarket in Inverness
between – an agreement was reached between Haxter Ltd and Tollby Ltd on 14 September 2011
beyond – it is important not to go beyond what was agreed without discussing the matter with the client first
by – the invoice must be paid by the client by 3 May
concerning – we have received further information concerning the warranties to be included in the share purchase agreement
despite – we have instructions to proceed with the case despite the points raised in the defence
down – the lawyer advised her client to turn down the offer made by the defendant
during – a great deal of new evidence emerged during the course of the testimony given by the witness
except – this restriction applies to all applications except those already received by the company
excluding – the contract contains a provision excluding liability in certain cases of default
following – the following items must be supplied no later than 25 January
for – payment for the goods shall be made on delivery
from – we have now received the necessary undertakings from the defendant’s lawyer
in – the price list is set out in schedule 1
including – we seek delivery of all the missing parts, including those currently stored in the defendant’s warehouse
into – the clerk asked the parties to go back into court following the adjournment
near – the court is near to the cathedral
next – the client agreed to bring the documents to the next meeting
of – the attorney was a member of various professional organisations
off – certain discussions took place between the lawyers off the record
on – the new law on employment contracts comes into force tomorrow
opposite – the court is located opposite the cathedral in the central square
out – the lawyers worked out the terms of a compromise agreement
over – a dispute arose between the landowners over the positioning of the boundary
per – a travel allowance of €40 per day was paid to the employee
plus – the invoice came to €400 plus VAT
regarding – negotiations took place regarding usage of the storage facilities owned by the company
since – there have been a number of significant developments in the case since the previous court hearing
than – the amount of damages awarded by the court was more than the lawyer had anticipated
through – the lawyer read through the papers in the file
to – delivery shall be made to an address notified by the purchaser to the vendor
towards – a great deal of progress has been made towards settlement of the case, but a little more time is required in order to reach final agreement between the parties
under – the witness gave evidence under oath
until – it is unlikely that the case will be settled until the morning of the hearing
up – he brought up the question of our fees again
upon – the proceedings were served upon the defendant yesterday
via – all contact with the claimant was conducted via her lawyer
with – he was charged with murder
within – the goods must be delivered within 14 days of signature of the contract
without – the total amount of the invoice is €30,450 without VAT
Two words
according to – according to the contract, rent must be paid on the third day of each month
ahead of – we should schedule a further meeting ahead of the next court hearing
apart from – there are no further matters to be resolved apart from the copyright issue
as of – the new law on employment is in force as of midnight tonight
as regards – as regards payment of our fee, we can offer an instalment option
aside from – there are one or two issues we need to address aside from the question of trademarks
because of – this litigation arose because of the unreasonable position taken by the defendant
close to – the case is now close to settlement, but there are several issues still to be resolved
due to – the office is closed tomorrow due to a public holiday
except for
far from – the contract is far from ready to be signed, since a number of amendments need to be made to it
instead of – overtime worked by the employee shall be compensated by extra holiday instead of payment
out of – payment was made out of the company’s account
owing to – the advice given to the client was amended owing to a recent decision of the Court of Appeal
prior to – the consent of the bank must be obtained prior to the share transfer being made
pursuant to – the company changed its name pursuant to the new legislation on company names
regardless of – our client wishes to seek an injunction against his neighbour regardless of whether the building work is suspended or not
subsequent to – the court’s decision was handed down subsequent to the new law coming into force
thanks to – a satisfactory outcome was achieved in the case, thanks to the meticulous work undertaken by the claimant’s lawyers
that of – one issue still remains to be resolved – that of the payment method to be used
Three words
as far as – the summons has not yet been served as far as I know
as well as – the vendor must deliver the software as well as the hardware no later than 10 December
by means of – payment shall be made by means of direct bank transfer
in accordance with – the sum of $45,000 must be paid on 5 October in accordance with the court order
in addition to – certain legal documents require the signature of witnesses as well as the parties in order to be valid
in case of – in case of fire the lifts should not be used
in lieu of – the employee shall receive time off in lieu of payment
in spite of – the assignment was completed by the agreed deadline in spite of several unforeseen difficulties that arose along the way
on account of – the firm’s usual practice is to ask clients to pay a certain sum on account of costs prior to carrying out any work for them
on behalf of – the lawyer appeared on behalf of her client at the pre-trial review
on top of – we will need to study the documents carefully in order to get on top of the case
with regard to / with respect to – with regard to / with respect to the question of costs, we consider that the sum of €35,000 should be adequate
