Common English Mistakes in Court Documents by Korean Speakers

This page focuses on errors typically made by native Korean speakers from South Korea when writing a Court Document in English.

Mistake Example #1

Confusion with prepositions ('in', 'on', 'at')

The defendant was present in the court at 9:00 AMa.m. on the day ofthe hearing. It was argued that the incident occurred on the night of July 15th, but the evidence presented during the trial was not sufficient to prove the defendant's presence at the scene. The judge will announce the verdict in the next session onf the court.

Text corrected by:
Michele A., Boston, Massachusetts; United States

"I just replaced a word or two to make the English sound more natural. Otherwise, the ideas in this text are clearly expressed."

The defendant was present in the court at 9:00 a.m. on the day of the hearing. It was argued that the incident occurred on the night of July 15th, but the evidence presented during the trial was not sufficient to prove the defendant's presence at the scene. The judge will announce the verdict in the next session of the court.

The defendant was present in the court at 9 AM on the day of hearing. It was argued that the incident occurred on the night of July 15th, but the evidence presented in the trial was not sufficient to prove the defendant's presence at the scene. The judge will announce the verdict in the next session on the court.

Mistake Example #2

Incorrect word order in complex sentences

To the Honorable Court, the defendant, who was presenton the night of the incident was present, claims that the events asre not accurately described by the prosecution, are not accurate. The evidence, whichpresented by the defense has presented,shows thatthe defendant was elsewhere at the time of the alleged crime, the defendant was elsewhere. It is requested by tThe defenserequests that the court considers this evidence carefully, to ensure that justice, which is the ultimate goal, is served.

Text corrected by:
Michele A., Boston, Massachusetts; United States

"I changed the word order in some of the sentences to improve fluidity and readability. Otherwise, the ideas in this text are clearly expressed."

To the Honorable Court, the defendant, who was present on the night of the incident, claims that the events are not accurately described by the prosecution. The evidence presented by the defense shows that the defendant was elsewhere at the time of the alleged crime. The defense requests that the court consider this evidence carefully to ensure that justice, which is the ultimate goal, is served.

To the Honorable Court, the defendant, who on the night of the incident was present, claims that the events as described by the prosecution, are not accurate. The evidence, which the defense has presented, shows that at the time of the alleged crime, the defendant was elsewhere. It is requested by the defense that the court considers this evidence carefully, to ensure that justice, which is the ultimate goal, is served.

Mistake Example #3

Omitting articles ('a', 'an', 'the')

Inthe matter of Lee v. Kim,the plaintiff submits evidence to support theclaim of breach of contract. DThe defendant failed to deliver thegoods asperthe agreement, causinga significant loss to theplaintiff. CThis court is requested to consider allof the documents submitted and grant judgment in favor of theplaintiff.

Text corrected by:
Jennifer, Detroit, Michigan USA

"It sounds very professional; I just added some missing articles."

In the matter of Lee v. Kim, the plaintiff submits evidence to support the claim of breach of contract. The defendant failed to deliver the goods per the agreement, causing a significant loss to the plaintiff. This court is requested to consider all of the documents submitted and grant judgment in favor of the plaintiff.

In matter of Lee v. Kim, plaintiff submits evidence to support claim of breach of contract. Defendant failed to deliver goods as per agreement, causing significant loss to plaintiff. Court is requested to consider all documents submitted and grant judgment in favor of plaintiff.