This lesson practises 30 C2 collocations on Law, Crime & Justice. Collocations are fixed word pairings that native speakers expect — Cambridge examiners test them in Use of English Part 1 and reward precise lexis in Writing. Run through the interactive drills first, then open this glossary to revise every item in the set. For question-by-question feedback, use Review mode after you finish the session.
look into an arms deal
In a criminal trial, the legal team will look into an arms deal.
suffer at the hands of the defendant
In a criminal trial, the legal team will suffer at the hands of the defendant.
extenuating circumstances
At a criminal trial, the case file featured the extenuating circumstances.
unanimous verdict
At a criminal trial, the case file featured the unanimous verdict.
take the flak
The manager had to take the flak for the failed campaign.
remand in custody
At a criminal trial, the case file featured the remand in custody.
investigate an arms deal
In a criminal trial, the legal team will investigate an arms deal.
find the defendant not guilty
In a criminal trial, the legal team will find the defendant not guilty.
collateral damage
At a criminal trial, the case file featured the collateral damage.
fraudulent claim
At a criminal trial, the case file featured the fraudulent claim.
soaring crime rates
At a criminal trial, the case file featured the soaring crime rates.
uphold the rule of law
In a criminal trial, the legal team will uphold the rule of law.
probe an arms deal
In a criminal trial, the legal team will probe an arms deal.
congestion charge
At a criminal trial, the case file featured the congestion charge.
find the defendant guilty
In a criminal trial, the legal team will find the defendant guilty.
threat hangs over the defendant while the trial continues
Within the Law, Crime & Justice topic, a legal threat hangs over the defendant while the trial continues.
adjourn a trial
In a criminal trial, the legal team will adjourn a trial.
establish criminal liability
In a criminal trial, the legal team will establish criminal liability.
dismiss a case
In a criminal trial, the legal team will dismiss a case.
trumped-up charges
At a criminal trial, the case file featured the trumped-up charges.
conduct an investigation into a crime
The police will conduct an investigation into a crime reported near the station.
spate of thefts
At a criminal trial, the case file featured the spate of thefts.
hurl insults
In a criminal trial, the legal team will hurl insults.
mitigating factor
At a criminal trial, the case file featured the mitigating factor.
falsify records
In a criminal trial, the legal team will falsify records.
custodial sentence
At a criminal trial, the case file featured the custodial sentence.
dig out info about a crime
In a criminal trial, the legal team will dig out info about a crime.
lapse of judgement
At a criminal trial, the case file featured the lapse of judgement.
award damages
In a criminal trial, the legal team will award damages.
protest innocence
In a criminal trial, the legal team will protest innocence.