Introduction:

Legal professionals use phrasal verbs every day—often without even realizing it. Whether you’re drafting documents or negotiating terms, understanding these expressions can improve your fluency and confidence. Here are 10 more essential Legal English phrasal verbs to add to your toolkit.

10 More Phrasal Verbs Every Lawyer Should Know:

1. Carry out

Definition: To perform or execute a legal action, task, or order.

• The executor must carry out the terms of the will without delay.
• The parties agreed to carry out their confidentiality obligations even after termination.
• The police were ordered to carry out the search pursuant to the signed warrant.

2. Step down

Definition: To resign or withdraw from a legal role or position.

• The judge chose to step down after a motion for recusal was filed.
• As part of the settlement, the CEO agreed to step down within 30 days.
• The mediator stepped down to avoid a potential conflict of interest.

3. Hand over

Definition: To transfer possession or control, usually of documents or evidence.

• The defendant was compelled to hand over all emails relevant to the claim.
• Counsel refused to hand over privileged material without a protective order.
• The buyer requested that the seller hand over the corporate records before closing.

4. Iron out

Definition: To resolve or finalize small legal disagreements or unclear terms.

• The lawyers met to iron out the last remaining issues in the licensing agreement.
• We still need to iron out the non-compete provisions before signing.
• The parties were able to iron out the payment schedule during the conference call.

5. Call off

Definition: To cancel or terminate a planned legal event.

• The deposition was called off due to a scheduling conflict.
• They called off the mediation once the case was dismissed.
• The arbitrator called off the hearing pending review of jurisdictional issues.

6. Follow through

Definition: To complete or enforce a planned legal step.

• The client asked if the firm had followed through with the notice of appeal.
• Counsel failed to follow through on filing the witness list by the deadline.
• The agency followed through by imposing a fine under the new regulations.

7. Set forth

Definition: To formally state, explain, or lay out in writing.

• The rights and obligations are set forth in Section 8 of the agreement.
• The statute clearly sets forth the elements of the offense.
• The policy sets forth procedures for submitting a formal complaint.

8. Look over

Definition: To review briefly or casually.

• Please look over the proposed settlement agreement before the hearing.
• The associate looked over the case file to prepare for the client meeting.
• He looked over the draft motion but asked for more legal support on page three.

9. Take on

Definition: To assume responsibility, representation, or liability.

• The firm took on three new asylum cases last quarter.
• The buyer agreed to take on any outstanding tax liabilities.
• She’s not ready to take on full trial responsibility yet.

10. Opt out

Definition: To formally decline participation in a legal process or system.

• Class members have until July 15 to opt out of the settlement.
• The contract includes a clause allowing either party to opt out of arbitration.
• Under data privacy law, users can opt out of certain tracking activities.

See more phrasal verbs at our previous post: Legal English Phrasal Verbs – Part 1 (20 Essential Expressions for Lawyers).

Book a Free Legal English Trial Lesson.

Learn Legal English with a former lawyer. One-on-one lessons via Zoom or Google Meet—personalized for lawyers and law students worldwide.

Disclaimer

DISCLAIMER: The content provided herein is only for discussion purposes and may contain errors. The reader is responsible to confirm the accuracy of the information provided. The content does not constitute legal or professional advice. We disclaim any liability for any loss or damage incurred directly or indirectly from the use of this information.