Translation guide
The study of how law has developed over time, or the past legal background of a person or entity.
Referring to the academic discipline or the historical development of legal systems.
Standard term for legal history as an academic field, covering the history of legal systems and institutions.
Referring to someone's or something's background in terms of legal matters, such as criminal record or litigation history.
Refers specifically to a criminal record or prior convictions. Commonly used in legal and everyday contexts.
Do not directly translate 'legal history' as 法律の歴史 (ほうりつのれきし) when referring to the academic field; use 法制史 or 法史学 instead. For personal criminal history, 前科 is the natural term, not 法的歴史.
He is a professor of legal history.
Also used for legal history, sometimes with a nuance of historical study of law rather than institutional history.
From the perspective of legal history, this precedent is important.
Only for criminal history, not for civil litigation or other legal matters.
He has a criminal record.
Refers to a history of litigation or lawsuits, often used in business or legal due diligence.
We investigated the company's litigation history.
A broader term for legal background, including education, career, or past legal issues. More formal and less common.
His legal history is impeccable.