What is the 12th edition of Black's law?

Asked by: Thad Frami  |  Last update: February 3, 2026
Score: 4.7/5 (33 votes)

The 12th edition of Black's Law Dictionary is the latest version, published in 2024 by Thomson Reuters, serving as the most current and comprehensive legal dictionary, edited by Bryan A. Garner, featuring thousands of new terms and updates on every page, and considered the standard reference for legal definitions in the English language.

What is the 12 edition of Black's Law Dictionary?

The 12th edition of Black's Law Dictionary is the new standard — the most comprehensive English-language law dictionary ever compiled, with more than 70,000 entries containing precise definitions and more than 4,800 scholarly and judicial quotations on legal terminology. Every page has been supplemented and revised.

What is the current edition of Black's law?

The eighth edition introduced a unique system of perpetually updated case citations and cross-references to legal encyclopedias. The current edition is the twelfth, published in 2024. As many legal terms are derived from a Latin root word, the dictionary provides a pronunciation guide for such terms.

Does the Supreme Court use Black's Law Dictionary?

The use of dictionaries at the Supreme Court is increasingly popular for various reasons. Black's Law Dictionary is the most frequently used U.S. legal dictionary. It is available in print and on Westlaw.

What is a mistake according to Black's Law Dictionary?

According to Black's Law Dictionary, the definition of a "mistake" is "some unintentional act, omission, or error arising from ignorance, surprise, imposition, or misplaced confidence." The law recognizes that mistakes are a natural part of the human experience, and in many legal contexts, judges have the discretion to ...

What Is Black's Law Dictionary Used For? - The Language Library

30 related questions found

Is Black's Law Dictionary credible?

While some, like Black's, are considered very trustworthy, remember that the definitions in a legal dictionary are not official, authoritative statements of the law.

What are four types of mistakes that can invalidate a contract?

However, being aware of the four vices that can void a contract — duress, undue influence, misrepresentation, and mistake — is crucial for ensuring that your agreements are legally enforceable and that your rights are protected.

Is the US Constitution a law, yes or no?

The U.S. Constitution is the nation's fundamental law.

What is the Four Corners rule in black law?

: a rule holding that if a document (as a contract, deed, or will) appears on its face to be complete no outside evidence may be used to challenge it NOTE: The number of states that accept the four corners rule is in decline.

What is the best edition of the Black Law Dictionary?

Black's Law Dictionary 12th edition contains over 65,000 legal terms, each clearly and precisely defined in plain English. Fully revised with new material on every page, the 12th edition features over 2,500 new terms. For more than a century, Black's has been the world's most cited and most used legal reference book.

What are the 4 pillars of the rule of law?

The four core principles of the Rule of Law, as defined by the World Justice Project, are Accountability (everyone, including government, is subject to the law), Just Laws (laws are clear, publicized, stable, and protect rights), Open Government (lawmaking/enforcement processes are accessible, fair, and efficient), and Accessible & Impartial Justice (fair, timely justice delivered by competent, independent professionals). These principles ensure laws are applied fairly, protect fundamental rights, and build public trust in the legal system. 

What are the three requirements for something to be copyrighted?

The three criteria needed for a work to be protected are originality, fixation, and creativity: Original - Originality means it is a new work and should come from the owner or creator not a copy or scan of a work.

Why is it called Black's law?

The best I could come up with was Black's Law Dictionary, the most popular dictionary of legal terms which was created by Henry Campbell Black and first published in 1891.

Who wrote Black's law?

Henry Campbell Black (October 17, 1860 – March 19, 1927) was the founder of Black's Law Dictionary, the definitive legal dictionary first published in 1891.

Who publishes the most trusted Law Dictionary?

The two most commonly used legal dictionaries are Black's Law Dictionary and Ballentine's Law Dictionary. Print copies of Black's are located in the Reference section in the Reading Room.

What is a crime according to Black's Law Dictionary?

According to Black s Law Dictionary, Crime is an act that the law makes punishable; the breach of a legal duty treated as the subject matter of a criminal proceeding (399). There are many aspects that a criminal considers when committing a crime.

What is the marks rule in law?

The Marks Rule is a legal principle that arises when the U.S. Supreme Court issues a decision with multiple opinions from its justices, often referred to as a fractured opinion. This rule helps determine the legal standard that the majority of justices agree upon, which is recognized as the court's holding.

What are the 4 C's of contracts?

The document discusses the four key attributes of solid contracts: clarity, certainty, consensus, and consciousness. Clarity means clearly defining the details of the agreement. Certainty means using precise language like 'will' and 'shall'.

What happened in Lucy v. Zehmer?

In suit by Lucy against Zehmer and his wife for specific performance of a contract requiring the latter to convey a farm to Lucy for a stated price, the evidence contradicted Zehmer's contention that he was too drunk to make a valid contract, since he clearly was able to comprehend the nature and consequence of the ...

Can a president overturn a Supreme Court ruling?

No, the President cannot directly overturn a Supreme Court decision; only the Court itself (through a new ruling), the Constitution (via amendment), or new legislation by Congress can overturn a major ruling, though Presidents can try to influence future decisions by appointing new justices or challenge rulings through appeals, and historically, some have selectively enforced or ignored certain rulings, as seen with Lincoln and the Dred Scott case. 

Do undocumented immigrants have constitutional rights?

These constitutional rights extend beyond U.S. citizens. The Constitution guarantees due process rights to all “persons,” not just citizens. This means non-citizens, including undocumented immigrants, are entitled to fair treatment under the law. This includes the right to defend themselves in court.

Which is the no. 1 Constitution in the world?

The Indian constitution is the world's longest for a sovereign nation. At its enactment, it had 395 articles in 22 parts and 8 schedules. At about 145,000 words, it is the second-longest active constitution—after the Constitution of Alabama—in the world.

What is an honest mistake in contract law?

In contract law, a mistake is an erroneous belief, at contracting, that certain facts are true. It can be argued as a defense, and if raised successfully, can lead to the agreement in question being found void ab initio or voidable, or alternatively, an equitable remedy may be provided by the courts.

What is Section 22 of the contract Act?

22Contract caused by mistake of one party as to matter of fact. A contract is not voidable merely because it was caused by one of the parties to it being under a mistake as to a matter of fact.

What mistake is likely to be voidable?

A voidable contract is legally valid but can be canceled by one party due to specific legal defects. Common reasons include misrepresentation, fraud, duress, undue influence, mental incompetence, or mutual mistake.