Anyone who has had any dealings with the law will have come across legal jargon and may have been confused by the terminology used. York Trading Standards explain some of the terms that consumers will most commonly encounter.

Bailment - the rule which applies when you leave goods with another person or organisation to be kept safely, taken care of, and returned on demand. For example, leaving your shoes for repair.

Breach Of Contract - a refusal or failure by a party to a contract to fulfil an obligation imposed on him or her under that contract.

Caveat Emptor - "Let the buyer beware".

Civil Law - law which is concerned with the rights and duties of individuals such as The Sale of Goods Act 1979. If you suffer loss because someone breaches these laws then you have the right to take that person to court.

Contract - an agreement that can be enforced by law. It gives the parties who have made the contract certain rights and obligations.

Cooling-Off Period - the interval in which you are legally entitled to cancel a deal or contract without penalty.

Criminal Law - law which is concerned with offences against the public, such as a dealer misdescribing a car - this would be an offence under the Trade Descriptions Act 1968.

Estimate - a provisional guide to price.

Judgement - the formal decision of the court.

Paying Under Protest - allows the purchaser to retain the right to bring a claim if something is wrong or subsequently goes wrong with the item or service purchased.

Quotation - a firm indication of price.

Rejecting goods - when the purchaser indicates to the retailer that he does not want the goods in question and in accordance with a legal right, is seeking a refund.

Satisfactory Quality - a legal requirement that goods should work properly, be free from minor defects, safe, and durable.

Time Of The Essence - an expression used to make time a crucial element of the contract.

Without Prejudice - a term added to documents, usually letters, which attempts to protect the writer from having the letter construed as an admission of liability or willingness to settle. Generally, nothing said in "without prejudice" correspondence will be allowed as evidence should the matter go to court, so the term should be used with caution.

- If you have any problems in interpreting legal terminology in respect of a consumer matter or want advice about a consumer problem, please contact City of York Council's Consumer Advice Service, by calling in at 9 St Leonard's Place, York, or by telephoning 01904 551562. Their fax number is 01904 551590 and their email address is trading.standards@york.gov.uk