# legal department

CEFR B1 · Compound

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/legal-department
Updated: 2026-08-05

## Definition

the part of a company or organization that handles all matters related to the law.

For teachers: the specialized division within a corporate or governmental entity responsible for providing legal advice, drafting contracts, and managing litigation.

## Examples

- The legal department is reviewing the new contract.
- If you have questions about the copyright on these images, you should contact our legal department.
- The merger was delayed for several months while the legal department scrutinized the regulatory requirements of the foreign market.

## Usage notes

- often used with the definite article 'the' when referring to a specific company's team.
- Teaching tip: this is a functional compound noun; help students distinguish it from 'law firm', which is an independent business rather than an internal department.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.