What is the legal term for the act of making a false statement under oath?

The legal term for the act of making a false statement under oath is perjury. This is a serious offense that undermines the integrity of the judicial system. Perjury occurs when an individual knowingly provides false information while testifying or in written statements, with the understanding that these statements are required to be truthful under the law. The requirement to tell the truth while under oath is fundamental to the pursuit of justice, as it is essential for the fair adjudication of legal matters.

The other terms listed refer to different legal concepts: contempt of court involves disobeying or disrespecting a court's authority, obstruction of justice refers to actions that impede the work of law enforcement or judicial proceedings, and bribery involves offering something of value to influence the actions of an official in their official capacity. Each concept pertains to various forms of misconduct within the legal system but does not directly address the act of lying under oath, which is specifically defined as perjury.