Legal English Word: Joint account
Legal English word of the week: joint. The word joint is often used in family and immigration law practice. Before providing a client with advice on division of assets, fee exemption or a spouse visa, lawyers often need to ask them if they have a joint bank account with their spouse or a partner.
Joint means involving two or more people together; belonging to or shared between two or more people.
Let’s have a look at a few examples.
Joint bank account:
e.g. I always ask my clients if they have a joint bank account.
With a joint bank account, you share access to one account.
Joint application:
e.g. You can make a joint application if you both agree that you should get a divorce.
Joint tenants:
e.g. Sometimes lawyers act for clients taking out a lease as joint tenants.
Joint tenants have equal rights to the whole property.
Joint is pronounced /dʒɔɪnt/ (UK).
Joint: other examples
- jointly funded: The new project was jointly funded by the city and private investors.
- joint effort: joint effort on occupation health and safety
- Joint Committees: Joint Committees are committees consisting of MPs and Members of the Lords.
- joint claim: Couples can make a joint claim for Universal Credit.
