Legal Advice: Definition, Examples, and Usage

Meaning 1：expert legal guidance (legal advice)

legal advice 🔊

/ˈliːɡəl ədˈvaɪs/

Help or information given by a lawyer about what the law says and what you should do.

Legal advice scene with lawyer guiding client at desk

expert legal guidance 🔊

➕

/ˈekspɜːrt ˈliːɡəl ˈɡaɪdəns/

Professional opinion or direction given by a qualified lawyer regarding a legal matter or course of action.

📁 Category：Laws & Regulations 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'legalis' (law) + Old French 'avis' (opinion).

💡 Mnemonic

Think of a 'legal' eagle giving 'advice' – a wise lawyer in a courtroom.

📖 Example

Before signing the rental contract, I got legal advice to make sure it was fair. 🔊 I sought legal advice from a lawyer before signing the rental contract to ensure fairness.

🔗 Collocations

seek legal advice – To ask a lawyer for professional guidance on a legal issue.

give legal advice – To provide professional opinion or recommendations as a qualified lawyer.

legal advice clinic – A service where lawyers offer free or low-cost consultations to the public.

🔄 Synonyms

legal counsel (n.) – Professional advice provided by a lawyer or legal team.

attorney consultation (n.) – A meeting or discussion with a lawyer to obtain expert legal opinion.

lawyer's opinion (n.) – The formal viewpoint of a legal professional on a specific matter.

🌱 Derivatives

legal adviser (n.) – A person who gives professional advice on legal matters.

advise (v.) – To recommend a course of action, often in a legal context.

advisable (adj.) – Worthy of being recommended; prudent (e.g., it is advisable to seek legal advice).

📖 Cultural Story

In common law tradition, 'legal advice' refers to counsel given by a solicitor or barrister, often protected by legal professional privilege.