A number of Latin terms are used in legal terminology and legal maxims. This is a partial list of these terms, which are wholly or substantially drawn from Latin.
Common lawEdit
| Term or phrase | Literal translation | Definition and use | English pron |
|---|---|---|---|
| a fortiori | from stronger | An a fortiori argument is an «argument from a stronger reason», meaning that, because one fact is true, a second (related and included) fact must also be true. | |
| a mensa et thoro | from table and bed | Divorce a mensa et thoro indicates legal separation without legal divorce. | |
| a posteriori | from later | An argument derived after an event, having the knowledge about the event. Inductive reasoning from observations and experiments. | |
| a priori | from earlier | An argument derived before an event, without needing to have the knowledge about the event. Deductive reasoning from general principles. | |
| a quo | from which | Regarding a court below in an appeal, either a court of first instance or an appellate court, known as the court a quo. | |
| ab extra | from outside | Concerning a case, a person may have received some funding from a 3rd party. This funding may have been considered ab extra. | |
| ab initio | from the beginning | «Commonly used referring to the time a contract, statute, marriage, or deed become legal. e.g. The couple was covered ab initio by her health policy.»[1] | |
| absque hoc | without this | «Presenting the negative portion of a plea when pleading at common by way a special traverse.»[1] | |
| Actio non datur non damnificato | An action is not given to one who is not injured. | ||
| Actus legis nemini facit injurium | The act of law injures no one. | ||
| Actus non facit reum, nisi mens sit rea | No act is punishable that is not the result of a guilty mind. | ||
| actus reus | guilty act | Part of what proves criminal liability (with mens rea). | |
| ad coelum | to the sky | Abbreviated from Cuius est solum eius est usque ad coelum et ad infernos which translates to «[for] whoever owns [the] soil, [it] is his all the way [up] to Heaven and [down] to Hell.» The principle that the owner of a parcel of land also owns the air above and the ground below the parcel. | |
| ad colligenda bona | to collect the goods | In cases of a disputed will, delay may endanger the assets of the deceased. Therefore, a court can give a person a writ of ad colligenda bona, which entitles them to collect and preserve the goods while their rightful owner is determined. Afterwards, that person will release the goods to the rightful owner.[2] | |
| ad hoc | for this | Generally signifies a solution designed for a specific problem or task, non-generalizable, and not intended to be able to be adapted to other purposes. | |
| ad hominem | at the person | Attempting to make a point of logic by attacking an opponent’s character rather than answering his argument. | |
| ad idem | to the same thing | In agreement. | |
| ad infinitum | to infinity | To continue forever. | |
| ad litem | for the case | Describes those designated to represent parties deemed incapable of representing themselves, such as a child or incapacitated adult. | |
| ad quod damnum | according to the harm | Used in tort law. Implies that the reward or penalty ought to correspond to the damage suffered or inflicted. | |
| ad valorem | according to value | ||
| adjournment sine die | adjournment without a day | When an assembly adjourns without setting a date for its next meeting. | |
| affidavit | he has sworn | A formal statement of fact. | |
| allocatur | it is allowed | Generally, a statement from a court that a writ is allowed (i.e. granted); most commonly, a grant of leave to appeal by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, in reference to which the word is used equivalently to certiorari (q.v.) elsewhere. | |
| alter ego | another I | A second identity living within a person. | |
| Alteri stipulari nemo potest | No-one can alter on his own a contract | ||
| amicus curiae | friend of the court | A person who offers information to a court regarding a case before it. | |
| animus contrahendi | contractual intent | Intention to contract. | |
| animus manendi | intention to remain | The subjective intent to remain indefinitely in a place so as to establish it as one’s permanent residence.[3] Along with actual residence, this is used to establish domicile.[4] Also called animus remanendi. See diversity of citizenship. | |
| animus nocendi | intention to harm | The subjective state of mind of the author of a crime, with reference to the exact knowledge of illegal content of his behaviour, and of its possible consequences. | |
| animus possidendi | intention to possess | «In order to claim possessory rights, an individual must establish physical control of the res and the intention to possess (i.e. animus possidendi)»[5] | |
| animus revertendi | intention to return | «Wild animals, such as bees and homing pigeons, that by habit go ‘home’ to their possessor. Used when discussing ferae naturae.»[5] | |
| animus testandi | testamentary intent | The intention, when writing a document, that the document should serve as a last will and testament.[6] | |
| ante | before | “An antenuptial agreement is a contract between two people that is executed before marriage.” | |
| (in) arguendo | for the sake of argument | ||
| bona fide | in good faith | Implies sincere good intention regardless of outcome. | |
| bona vacantia | ownerless goods | ||
| cadit quaestio | the question falls | Indicates that a settlement to a dispute or issue has been reached, and the issue is now resolved. | |
| casus belli | case of war | The justification for acts of war. | |
| caveat | May he beware | When used by itself, refers to a qualification, or warning. | |
| caveat emptor | Let the buyer beware | In addition to the general warning, also refers to a legal doctrine wherein a buyer could not get relief from a seller for defects present on property which rendered it unfit for use. | |
| certiorari | to be apprised | A type of writ seeking judicial review. | |
| cessante ratione legis cessat ipsa lex | when the reason for a law ceases, so does the law itself | Herbert Broom′s text of 1858 on legal maxims lists the phrase under the heading ″Rules of logic″, stating: Reason is the soul of the law, and when the reason of any particular law ceases, so does the law itself.[7] | |
| ceteris paribus | with other things the same | More commonly rendered in English as «All other things being equal.» | |
| compos mentis | having command of mind | Of sound mind. Also used in the negative «Non compos mentis», meaning «Not of sound mind». | |
| condicio sine qua non | A condition without which it could not be | An indispensable and essential action, condition, or ingredient. | |
| consensus ad idem | agreement to the same | Meeting of the minds, mutual assent, or concurrence of wills. Parties must be of one mind and their promises must relate to the same subject or object[8] Also consensus in idem. | |
| contra | against | Used in case citations to indicate that the cited source directly contradicts the point being made. | |
| contra legem | against the law | Used when a court or tribunal hands down a decision that is contrary to the laws of the governing state. | |
| contradictio in adjecto | contradiction in adjective | A contradiction where adjective contradicts its noun (e.g., a square triangle). | |
| contra proferentem | against the one bringing forth | Used in contract law to stipulate that an ambiguous term in a contract shall be interpreted against the interests of the party that insisted upon the term’s inclusion. Prevents the intentional additions of ambiguous terminology from being exploited by the party who insisted on its inclusion. | |
| coram non judice | before one who is not a judge | Refers to a legal proceeding without a judge, or with a judge who does not have proper jurisdiction. | |
| corpus delicti | body of the crime | A person cannot be convicted of a crime, unless it can be proven that the crime was even committed. | |
| corpus juris | body of law | The complete collection of laws of a particular jurisdiction or court. | |
| corpus juris civilis | body of civil law | The complete collection of civil laws of a particular jurisdiction or court. Also sometimes used to refer to the Code of Justinian. | |
| corpus juris gentium | body of the law of nations | The complete collection of international law. | |
| corpus juris secundum | An encyclopedia of US law drawn from US Federal and State court decisions. | ||
| crimen falsi | crime of falsifying | Forgery. | |
| cui bono | as a benefit to whom? | Suggests that the perpetrator(s) of a crime can often be found by investigating those who would have benefited financially from the crime, even if it is not immediately obvious. | |
| curia advisari vult | the court wishes to consider | Signifies the intent of a court to consider the points of law argued during advocacy, prior to judgement. | |
| de bonis asportatis | carrying goods away | Specifies that larceny was taking place in addition to any other crime named. E.g. «trespass de bonis asportatis». | |
| debellatio | warring down | Complete annihilation of a warring party, bringing about the end of the conflict. | |
| de bonis non administratis | of goods not administered | Assets of an estate remaining after the death (or removal) of the designated estate administrator. An «administrator de bonis non administratis» will then be appointed to dispose of these goods. | |
| de die in diem | from day to day | Generally refers to a type of labor in which the worker is paid fully at the completion of each day’s work. | |
| de facto | in fact | Literally «from fact»; often used to mean something that is true in practice, but has not been officially instituted or endorsed. «For all intents and purposes». Cf. de jure. | |
| de futuro | concerning the future | At a future date. | |
| de integro | concerning the whole | Often used to mean «start it all over», in the context of «repeat de integro». | |
| de jure | according to law | Literally «from law»; something that is established in law, whether or not it is true in general practice. Cf. de facto. | |
| de lege ferenda | of the law as it should be | Used in the context of «how the law should be», such as for proposed legislation. | |
| de lege lata | of the law as it is | Concerning the law as it exists, without consideration of how things should be. | |
| de minimis | about the smallest things | Various legal areas concerning small amounts or small degrees. | |
| de minimis non curat lex | the law is not concerned with minimal things | The rule that the law will not remedy an injury that is minimal.[9] | |
| de novo | anew | Often used in the context of «trial de novo» – a new trial ordered when the previous one failed to reach a conclusion. | |
| deorum injuriae diis curae | The gods take care of injuries to the gods | Blasphemy is a crime against the State, rather than against God. | |
| dictum | (thing) said | A statement given some weight or consideration due to the respect given the person making it. | |
| doli incapax | incapable of guilt | Presumption that young children or persons with diminished mental capacity cannot form the intent to commit a crime. | |
| dolus bonus | Justinian Digest | ||
| dolus malus | Justinian Digest | ||
| dolus specialis | Specific deceit | Heavily used in the context of genocide in international law. | |
| domitae naturae | tame by nature | Tame or domesticated animal. Also called mansuetae naturae. Opposite of ferae naturae (below) | |
| donatio mortis causa | deathbed gift | Gift causa mortis; «The donor, contemplating imminent death, declares words of present gifting and delivers the gift to the donee or someone who clearly takes possession on behalf of the donee. The gift becomes effective at death but remains revocable until that time.»[5] | |
| dramatis personae | persons of the drama | ||
| duces tecum | bring with you | A «subpoena duces tecum» is a summons to produce physical evidence for a trial. | |
| ejusdem generis | of the same class | Known as a «canon of construction», it states that when a limited list of specific things also includes a more general class, that the scope of that more general class shall be limited to other items more like the specific items in the list. | |
| eo nomine | by that name | ||
| erga omnes | towards all | Refers to rights or obligations that are owed towards all. | |
| ergo | therefore | ||
| erratum | having been made in error | ||
| et al. | and others | Abbreviation of et alii, meaning «and others». | |
| et cetera | and other things | Generally used in the sense of «and so forth». | |
| et seq. | and the following things | Abbreviation of et sequens, meaning «and the following ones». Used in citations to indicate that the cited portion extends to the pages following the cited page. | |
| et uxor | and wife | Usually used instead of naming a man’s wife as a party in a case. | |
| et vir | and husband | Usually used instead of naming a woman’s husband as a party in a case. | |
| ex aequo et bono | of equity and [the] good | Usually defined as «what is right and good.» Used to describe the power of a judge or arbiter to consider only what is fair and good for the specific case, and not necessarily what the law may require. In courts, usually only done if all parties agree. | |
| ex ante | of before | Essentially meaning «before the event», usually used when forecasting future events. | |
| ex cathedra | from the chair | Where chair refers to authority or position. Authority derived from one’s position. | |
| ex concessis | from what has been conceded already | Also known as «argument from commitment», a type of valid ad hominem argument. | |
| ex delicto | from a transgression | The consequence of a crime or tort. | |
| ex demissione | from a transgression | part of the title of the old action of ejectment Jones v. Doe ex dem. Smith |
|
| Ex dolo malo non oritur actio | No action arises from harm | ||
| ex facie | on the face | If a contract is blatantly and obviously incorrect or illegal, it can be considered void ex facie without any further analysis or arguments. | |
| ex fida bona | good business norms | ||
| ex gratia | by favor | Something done voluntarily and with no expectation of a legal liability arising therefrom. | |
| ex officio | from the office | Something done or realized by the fact of holding an office or position. | |
| ex parte | from [for] one party | A decision reached, or case brought, by or for one party without the other party being present. | |
| ex post | from after | Based on knowledge of the past. | |
| ex post facto | from a thing done afterward | Commonly said as «after the fact.» | |
| ex post facto law | A retroactive law. E.g. a law that makes illegal an act that was not illegal when it was done. | ||
| ex proprio motu | by [one’s] own motion | Commonly spoken as «by one’s own accord.» | |
| ex rel | [arising] out of the narration [of the relator] | Abbreviation of ex relatione. Used when the government brings a case that arises from the information conveyed to it by a third party («relator»). | |
| exempli gratia | for the sake of example | Usually abbreviated «e.g.». | |
| ex tunc | from then | Term used in contract law to specify terms that are voided or confirmed in effect from the execution of the contract. Cf. ex nunc. | |
| Ex turpi causa non oritur actio | |||
| ex nunc | from now on | Term used in contract law to specify terms that are voided or confirmed in effect only in the future and not prior to the contract, or its adjudication. Cf. ex tunc. | |
| extant | existing | Refers to things that are currently existing at a given point, rather than things that are no longer so. | |
| facio ut facias | I do, that you may do | A type of contract wherein one party agrees to do work for the other, in order that the second party can then perform some work for the first in exchange. | |
| factum | deed | 1. an assured statement made; 2. completion of a will and all its parts to make it valid and legal; 3). book of facts and law presented in a Canadian court. | |
| favor contractus | favor of the contract | A concept in treaty law that prefers the maintaining of a contract over letting it expire for purely procedural reasons. | |
| felo de se | felon of himself | A suicide. This archaic term stems from English common law, where suicide was legally a felony, thus a person who committed suicide was treated as a felon for purposes of estate disposal. | |
| ferae naturae | wild animals by nature | Wild animals residing on unowned property do not belong to any party in a dispute on the land. Opposite of domitae naturae (above). | |
| fiat | Let it be done. | A warrant issued by a judge for some legal proceedings. | |
| fieri facias | May you cause to be done. | A writ ordering the local law enforcement to ensure that damages awarded by the court are properly recovered. A writ of execution. | |
| fortis attachiamentum, validior praesumptionem | strong attachment, the stronger presumption | When determining whether a chattel is a fixture: «size doesn’t matter, how much or degree chattel is attached to ‘land’ and to ‘what’ » | |
| forum non conveniens | disagreeable forum | A concept wherein a court refuses to hear a particular matter, citing a more appropriate forum for the issue to be decided. | |
| fumus boni iuris | smoke of a good right | Refers to having a sufficient legal basis to bring legal action. | |
| functus officio | having performed his office | A person, court, statute, or legal document that has no legal authority, because its original legal purpose has been fulfilled. | |
| gravamen | things weighing down | The basic element or complaint of a lawsuit. | |
| guardian ad litem | guardian for the case | An independent party appointed in family law disputes to represent parties that cannot represent themselves, such as minors, developmentally disabled, or elderly. | |
| habeas corpus | May you have the body. | A writ used to challenge the legality of detention. Orders the detaining party to «have the (living) body» of the detained brought before the court where the detention will be investigated. | |
| hostis humani generis | enemy of the human race | A party considered to be the enemy of all nations, such as maritime pirates. | |
| imprimatur | Let it be printed. | An authorization for a document to be printed. Used in the context of approval by a religious body or other censoring authority. | |
| in absentia | in absence | A legal proceeding conducted without the presence of one party is said to be conducted in absentia, e.g., trial in absentia or being sentenced in absentia. | |
| in articulo mortis | at the moment of death | Often used in probate law, as well as for testimony in the sense of a dying declaration. | |
| in camera | in the chamber | Conducted in private, or in secret. The opposite of in open court. | |
| in curia | in court | Conducted in open court. The opposite of in camera. | |
| in esse | in existence | Actually existing in reality. Opposite of in posse. | |
| in extenso | in the extended | In extended form, or at full length. Often used to refer to publication of documents, where it means the full unabridged document is published. | |
| in extremis | in the extreme | In extreme circumstances. Often used to refer to «at the point of death.» | |
| in flagrante delicto | in blazing offense | Caught in the actual act of committing a crime. Often used as a euphemism for a couple caught in the act of sexual intercourse, though it technically refers to being «caught in the act» of any misdeed. | |
| in forma pauperis | in the manner of a pauper | Someone unable to afford the costs associated with a legal proceeding. As this will not be a barrier to seeking justice, such persons are given in forma pauperis status (usually abbreviated IFP), wherein most costs are waived or substantially reduced. | |
| in futuro | in the future | Refers to things to come, or things that may occur later but are not so now. As in in futuro debts, i.e. debts which become due and payable in the future. | |
| in haec verba | in these words | Used when including text in a complaint verbatim, where its appearance in that form is germane to the case, or is required to be included. | |
| in limine | at the threshold | A motion to a judge in a case that is heard and considered outside the presence of the jury. | |
| in loco parentis | in the place of a parent | Used to refer to a person or entity assuming the normal parental responsibilities for a minor. This can be used in transfers of legal guardianship, or in the case of schools or other institutions that act in the place of the parents on a day-to-day basis. | |
| in mitius | in the milder | A type of retroactive law that decriminalizes offenses committed in the past. Also known as an amnesty law. | |
| in omnibus | in all | Used to mean «in every respect.» Something applying to every aspect of a situation. | |
| in pari delicto | in equal offense | Used when both parties to a case are equally at fault. | |
| in pari materia | in the same matter | Refers to a situation where a law or statute may be ambiguous, and similar laws applying to the matter are used to interpret the vague one. | |
| in personam | in person | Used in the context of «directed at this particular person», refers to a judgement or subpoena directed at a specific named individual. Cf. in rem. | |
| in pleno | in full | ||
| in propria persona | in one’s own person | Said of one who represents themselves in court without the [official] assistance of an attorney. | |
| in re | in the matter [of] | Used in the title of a decision or comment to identify the matter they are related to; usually used for a case where the proceeding is in rem or quasi in rem and not in personam (e.g. probate or bankrupt estate, guardianship, application for laying out a public highway) and occasionally for an ex parte proceeding (e.g. application for a writ of habeas corpus). | |
| in rem | about a thing | Used in the context of a case against property, as opposed to a particular person. See also in rem jurisdiction. Cf. in personam. | |
| in situ | in position | Often used in the context of decisions or rulings about a property or thing «left in place» after the case as it was before. | |
| in terrorem | in order to frighten | A warning or threat to sue, made in the hopes of convincing the other party to take action to avoid a lawsuit. | |
| in terrorem clause | clause «in order to frighten» | A clause in a will that threatens any party who contests the will with being disinherited. Also called a no-contest clause. | |
| in toto | in total | ||
| indicia | indications | Often used in copyright notices. Refers to distinctive markings that identify a piece of intellectual property. | |
| infra | below or under | ||
| iniuria sine damno | injury without financial or property loss | It was stated in Ashby v. White that the law makes a presumption of damage in the absence of actual perceptible damage or financial loss and that the infringement of a right was enough for iniuria sine damno to be actionable.[10] | |
| innuendo | by nodding | An intimation about someone or something, made indirectly or vaguely suggesting the thing being implied. Often used when the implied thing is negative or derogatory. | |
| inter alia | among others | Used to indicate an item cited has been pulled from a larger or more complete list. | |
| inter rusticos | among rustics | Refers to contract, debts, or other agreements made between parties who are not legal professionals. | |
| inter se | amongst themselves | Refers to obligations between members of the same group or party, differentiated from the whole party’s obligations to another party. | |
| inter vivos | between the living | Refers to a gift or other non-sale transfer between living parties. This is in contrast to a will, where the transfer takes effect upon one party’s death. | |
| intra | within | ||
| intra fauces terrae | within the jaws of the land | This term refers to a nation’s territorial waters. | |
| intra legem | within the law | Used in various contexts to refer to the legal foundation for a thing. | |
| intra vires | within the powers | Something done which requires legal authority, and the act is performed accordingly. Cf. ultra vires. | |
| ipse dixit | He himself said it. | An assertion given undue weight solely by virtue of the person making the assertion. | |
| ipsissima verba | the very words | Referring to a document or ruling that is being quoted by another. | |
| ipso facto | by the fact itself | Used in the context that one event is a direct and immediate consequence of another. «In and of itself.» | |
| ipso jure | the law itself | By operation of law. | |
| jurat | (He) swears | Appears at the end of an affidavit, where the party making the affirmation signs the oath, and the information on whom the oath was sworn before is placed. | |
| juris privati | of private right | Not clothed with a public interest. | |
| jus | law, right | Essentially: law. | |
| jus accrescendi | right of survivorship | Right of survivorship: In property law, on the death of one joint tenant, that tenant’s interest passes automatically to the surviving tenant(s) to hold jointly until the estate is held by a sole tenant. The only way to defeat the right of survivorship is to sever the joint tenancy during the lifetime of the parties, the right of survivorship takes priority over a will or interstate accession rules.[5] | |
| jus ad bellum | laws to war | Refers to legalities considered before entering into a war, to ensure it is legal to go to war initially. Not to be confused with ius in bello (q.v.), the «laws of war» concerning how war is carried out. | |
| jus civile | civil law | A codified set of laws concerning citizenry, and how the laws apply to them. | |
| jus cogens | compelling law | Internationally agreed laws that bear no deviation, and do not require treaties to be in effect. An example is law prohibiting genocide. | |
| jus gentium | law of nations | Customary law followed by all nations. Nations being at peace with one another, without having to have an actual peace treaty in force, would be an example of this concept. | |
| jus in bello | law in war | Laws governing the conduct of parties in war. | |
| jus inter gentes | law between the peoples | Laws governing treaties and international agreements. | |
| jus naturale | natural law | Laws common to all people, that the average person would find reasonable, regardless of their nationality. | |
| jus primae noctis | right of the first night | Supposed right of the lord of an estate to take the virginity of women in his estate on their wedding night. | |
| jus sanguinis | right of blood | Social law concept wherein citizenship of a nation is determined by having one or both parents being citizens. | |
| jus soli | right of soil | Social law concept wherein citizenship of a nation is determined by place of birth. | |
| jus tertii | law of the third | Arguments made by a third party in disputes over possession, the intent of which is to question one of the principal parties’ claims of ownership or rights to ownership. | |
| lacuna | void, gap | A situation arising that is not covered by any law, especially when related situations are covered by the law or where the situation appears to fall «between» multiple laws. Generally used in International Law, which is less comprehensive than most domestic legal systems. | |
| lex communis | common law | Alternate form of jus commune. Refers to common facets of civil law that underlie all aspects of the law. | |
| lex fori | the law of the country in which an action is brought out | ||
| lex lata | the carried law | The law as it has been enacted. | |
| lex loci | the law of the place | The law of the country, state, or locality where the matter under litigation took place. Usually used in contract law, to determine which laws govern the contract. | |
| lex scripta | written law | Law that specifically codifies something, as opposed to common law or customary law. | |
| liberum veto | free veto | An aspect of a unanimous voting system, whereby any member can end discussion on a proposed law. | |
| lingua franca | the Frankish language | A language common to an area that is spoken by all, even if not their mother tongue. Term derives from the name given to a common language used by traders in the Mediterranean basin dating from the Middle Ages. | |
| lis alibi pendens | lawsuit elsewhere pending | Refers to requesting a legal dispute be heard that is also being heard by another court. To avoid possibly contradictory judgements, this request will not be granted. | |
| lis pendens | suit pending | Often used in the context of public announcements of legal proceedings to come. Compare pendente lite (below). | |
| locus | place | ||
| locus delicti | place of the crime | Shorthand version of Lex locus delicti commissi. The «scene of the crime». | |
| locus in quo | the place in which | The location where a cause of action arose. | |
| locus poenitentiae | place of repentance | When one party withdraws from a contract before all parties are bound. | |
| locus standi | place of standing | The right of a party to appear and be heard before a court. | |
| mala fide | (in) bad faith | A condition of being fraudulent or deceptive in act or belief. | |
| malum in se | wrong in itself | Something considered a universal wrong or evil, regardless of the system of laws in effect. | |
| malum prohibitum | prohibited wrong | Something wrong or illegal by virtue of it being expressly prohibited, that might not otherwise be so. | |
| mandamus | we command | A writ issue by a higher court to a lower one, ordering that court or related officials to perform some administrative duty. Often used in the context of legal oversight of government agencies. | |
| mare clausum | closed sea | A body of water under the jurisdiction of a state or nation, to which access is not permitted, or is tightly regulated. | |
| mare liberum | open sea | A body of water open to all. Typically a synonym for International Waters, or in other legal parlance, the «High Seas». | |
| mea culpa | through my fault | An acknowledgement of wrongdoing. | |
| mens rea | guilty mind | One of the requirements for a crime to be committed, the other being actus reus, the guilt act. This essentially is the basis for the notion that those without sufficient mental capability cannot be judged guilty of a crime. | |
| modus operandi | manner of operation | A person’s particular way of doing things. Used when using behavioral analysis while investigating a crime. Often abbreviated «M.O.» | |
| mortis causa | in contemplation of death | Gift or trust that is made in contemplation of death. | |
| mos pro lege | custom for law | That which is the usual custom has the force of law. | |
| motion in limine | motion at the start | Motions offered at the start of a trial, often to suppress or pre-allow certain evidence or testimony. | |
| mutatis mutandis | having changed [the things that] needed to be changed | A caution to a reader when using one example to illustrate a related but slightly different situation. The caution is that the reader must adapt the example to change what is needed for it to apply to the new situation. | |
| ne exeat | let him not exit [the republic] | Shortened version of ne exeat republica: «let him not exit the republic». A writ to prevent one party to a dispute from leaving (or being taken) from the court’s jurisdiction. | |
| Nemo dat quod non habet | Nobody can give what he has not | bankruptcy law | |
| Nemo debet bis vexari (pro una et eadem causa) | No-one should be tried twice (for one and the same charge) | It is a principle of double jeopardy (autrefois acquit) where a person should not be tried twice on the same matter. | |
| Nemo iudex in causa sua | No-one should be a judge in his own case. | It is a principle of natural justice that no person can judge a case in which they have an interest. | |
| Nemo potest dare quod suum non est | No one can give what he possesses not | inter alia, see Dante on monarchy | |
| Nemo potest esse tenens et dominus | No one can at the same time be a tenant and a landlord | Nor can one person covenant with himself and others jointly | |
| Nemo potest mutare consilium suum in alterius iniuriam | Nobody can change his own purpose to another’s injury | ||
| Nemo potest nisi quod de jure potest | A person can do only things, which s/he can do lawfully. | Under law, a thing which cannot be lawfully performed is considered not within one’s power. | |
| Nemo potest praecise cogi ad factum | Nobody can be forced to a specific act | ||
| Nemo potest venire contra factum proprium | No-one can act in a way contrary to his own prior actions. | doctrines of promissory estoppel and equitable estoppel; prohibited for a party to act in such a way that contradicts a previous act of his own on which the other party relied, thus causing a detriment to the latter. | |
| Nemo potest facere per alium quod per se non potest | No one can do through another what he cannot do himself. | ||
| nihil dicit | He says nothing. | A judgement rendered in the absence of a plea, or in the event one party refuses to cooperate in the proceedings. | |
| nisi | unless | A decree that does not enter into force unless some other specified condition is met. | |
| nisi prius | unless first | Refers to the court of original jurisdiction in a given matter. | |
| nolle prosequi | not to prosecute | A statement from the prosecution that they are voluntarily discontinuing (or will not initiate) prosecution of a matter. | |
| nolo contendere | I do not wish to argue | A type of plea whereby the defendant neither admits nor denies the charge. Commonly interpreted as «No contest.» | |
| non adimpleti contractus | of a non-completed contract | In the case where a contract imposes specific obligations on both parties, one side cannot sue the other for failure to meet their obligations, if the plaintiff has not themselves met their own. | |
| non compos mentis | not in possession of [one’s] mind | Not having mental capacity to perform some legal act | |
| non constat | It is not certain. | Refers to information given by one who is not supposed to give testimony, such as an attorney bringing up new information that did not come from a witness. Such information is typically nullified. | |
| non est factum | It is not [my] deed. | A method whereby a signatory to a contract can invalidate it by showing that his signature to the contract was made unintentionally or without full understanding of the implications. | |
| non est inventus | He was not found. | Reported by a sheriff on writ when the defendant cannot be found in his county or jurisdiction. | |
| non liquet | It is not clear. | A type of verdict where positive guilt or innocence cannot be determined. Also called «not proven» in legal systems with such verdicts. | |
| non obstante verdicto | notwithstanding the verdict | A circumstance where the judge may override the jury verdict and reverse or modify the decision. | |
| novus actus interveniens | a new action coming between | A break in causation (and therefore probably liability) because something else has happened to remove the causal link. | |
| noscitur a sociis | It is known by the company it keeps. | An ambiguous word or term can be clarified by considering the whole context in which it is used, without having to define the term itself. | |
| nota bene | note well | A term used to direct the reader to cautionary or qualifying statements for the main text. | |
| Nullum crimen sine lege | No-one can face punishment except for an act that was criminalized before he performed the act | ||
| nudum pactum | naked promise | An unenforceable promise, due to the absence of consideration or value exchanged for the promise. | |
| nulla bona | no goods | Notation made when a defendant has no tangible property available to be seized in order to comply with a judgement. | |
| nunc pro tunc | now for then | An action by a court to correct a previous procedural or clerical error. | |
| obiter dictum | a thing said in passing | In law, an observation by a judge on some point of law not directly relevant to the case before him, and thus neither requiring his decision nor serving as a precedent, but nevertheless of persuasive authority. In general, any comment, remark or observation made in passing. | |
| onus probandi | Burden of proof. | ||
| ore tenus | (evidence) presented orally | ||
| pace | with peace | Used to say ‘contrary to the opinion of.’ It is a polite way of marking a speaker’s disagreement with someone or some body of thought. | |
| par delictum | equal fault | Used when both parties to a dispute are at fault. | |
| parens patriae | parent of the nation | Refers to the power of the State to act as parent to a child when the legal parents are unable or unwilling. | |
| pari passu | on equal footing | Equal ranking, equal priority (usually referring to creditors). | |
| partus sequitur ventrem | Offspring follows the belly | Legal status of children of slaves is the same as their mother’s. | |
| pendente lite | while the litigation is pending | Court orders used to provide relief until the final judgement is rendered. Commonly used in divorce proceedings. The adverbial form of lis pendens (above). | |
| per capita | by head | Dividing money up strictly and equally according to the number of beneficiaries | |
| per contra | by that against | Legal shorthand for «in contrast to». | |
| per curiam | through the court | A decision delivered by a multi-judge panel, such as an appellate court, in which the decision is said to be authored by the court itself, instead of situations where those individual judges supporting the decision are named. | |
| per incuriam | by their neglect | A judgement given without reference to precedent. | |
| per minas | through threats | Used as a defense, when illegal acts were performed under duress. | |
| per proxima amici | by or through the next friend | Employed when an adult brings suit on behalf of a minor, who was unable to maintain an action on his own behalf at common law. | |
| per quod | by which | Used in legal documents in the same sense as «whereby». A per quod statement is typically used to show that specific acts had consequences which form the basis for the legal action. | |
| per se | by itself | Something that is, as a matter of law. | |
| per stirpes | by branch | An estate of a decedent is distributed per stirpes, if each branch of the family is to receive an equal share of an estate. | |
| periculum in mora | danger in delay | A condition given to support requests for urgent action, such as a protective order or restraining order. | |
| persona non grata | unwelcome person | A person who is officially considered unwelcome by a host country in which they are residing in a diplomatic capacity. The person is typically expelled to their home country. | |
| posse comitatus | power of the county | A body of armed citizens pressed into service by legal authority, to keep the peace or pursue a fugitive. | |
| post hoc ergo propter hoc | after this, therefore because of this | A logical fallacy that suggests that an action causes an effect simply because the action occurred before the effect. | |
| post mortem | after death | Refers to an autopsy, or as a qualification as to when some event occurred. | |
| post mortem auctoris | after the author’s death | Used in reference to intellectual property rights, which usually are based around the author’s lifetime. | |
| postliminium | return from the other | Refers to the return of legal standing and property of a person who returns to the jurisdiction of Rome | |
| praetor peregrinus | magistrate of foreigners | The Roman praetor (magistrate) responsible for matters involving non-Romans. | |
| prima facie | at first face | A matter that appears to be sufficiently based in the evidence as to be considered true. | |
| pro bono | for good | Professional work done for free. | |
| pro bono publico | for the public good | ||
| pro forma | as a matter of form | Things done as formalities. | |
| pro hac vice | for this turn | Refers to a lawyer who is allowed to participate (only) in a specific case, despite being in a jurisdiction in which he has not been generally admitted. | |
| pro per | abbreviation of propria persona, meaning «one’s own person» | Representing oneself, without counsel. Also known as pro se representation. | |
| pro rata | from the rate | A calculation adjusted based on a proportional value relevant to the calculation. An example would be a tenant being charged a portion of a month’s rent based on having lived there less than a full month. The amount charged would be proportional to the time occupied. | |
| pro se | for himself | Representing oneself, without counsel. Also known as pro per representation. | |
| pro tanto | for so much | A partial payment of an award or claim, based on the defendant’s ability to pay. | |
| pro tem | abbreviation of pro tempore, meaning «for the time being» | Something, such as an office held, that is temporary. | |
| pro tempore | for the time being | Something, such as an office held, that is temporary. | |
| propria persona | proper person | Refers to one representing themselves without the services of a lawyer. Also known as pro per representation. | |
| qua | which; as | In the capacity of. | |
| quae ipso usu consumuntur | Consumed by the use itself | Used in relation with objects whose purpose is to be consumed or destroyed. Examples include food, fuel, medicine, matches or money.[11] | |
| quaeritur | It is sought. | The question is raised. Used to declare that a question is being asked in the following verbiage. | |
| quaere | query | Used in legal drafts to call attention to some uncertainty or inconsistency in the material being cited. | |
| quantum | how much | ||
| quantum meruit | as much as it deserves; as much as she or he has earned[8] | In contract law, a quasi-contractual remedy that permits partial reasonable payment for an incomplete piece of work (services and/or materials), assessed proportionately, where no price is established when the request is made.[8]
In contract law, and in particular the requirement for consideration, if no fixed price is agreed upon for the service and/or materials, then one party would request a reasonable price for the said services and/or materials at the end of the job. A common example would be a plumber requested to fix a leak in the middle of the night.[8] |
|
| quantum valebant | as much as they were worth | Under Common Law, a remedy to compute reasonable damages when a contract has been breached – the implied promise of payment of a reasonable price for goods. In contract law, for requirements of consideration, reasonable worth for goods delivered. Usage: quantum meruit has replaced quantum valebant in consideration;[8] in the case of contract remedy, quantum valebant is being used less, and could be considered obsolete. |
|
| quasi | as if | Resembling or being similar to something, without actually being that thing. | |
| qui tam | abbreviation of qui tam pro domino rege quam pro se ipso in hac parte sequitur, meaning «who pursues in this action as much for the king as himself». | In a qui tam action, one who assists the prosecution of a case is entitled to a proportion of any fines or penalties assessed. | |
| quid pro quo | this for that | An equal exchange of goods or services, or of money (or other consideration of equal value) for some goods or services. | |
| quo ante | as before | Returning to a specific state of affairs which preceded some defined action. | |
| quo warranto | by what warrant | A request made to someone exercising some power, to show by what legal right they are exercising that power. A type of writ. | |
| quoad hoc | as to this | Used to mean «with respect to» some named thing, such as when stating what the law is in regards to that named thing. | |
| R | Rex or Regina | King or Queen. In British cases, will see R v Freeman meaning Regina against Freeman. Changes with King or Queen on throne. | |
| ratio decidendi | reason for the decision | The point in a legal proceeding, or the legal precedent so involved, which led to the final decision being what it was. | |
| ratio scripta | written reason | The popular opinion of Roman law, held by those in the Medieval period. | |
| rationae soli | by reason of the soil | «Certain rights may arise by virtue of ownership of the soil upon which wild animals are found.»[5] | |
| rebus sic stantibus | things thus standing | A qualification in a treaty or contract, that allows for nullification in the event fundamental circumstances change. | |
| reddendo singula singulis | referring solely to the last | The canon of construction that in a list of items containing a qualifying phrase at the end, the qualifier refers only to the last item in the list. | |
| res | thing, matter, issue, affair | ||
| res communis | common to all | Property constructs like airspace and water rights are said to be res communis – that is, a thing common to all, and that could not be the subject of ownership. With airspace, the difficulty has been to identify where the fee simple holder’s rights to the heavens end. Water is a bit more defined – it is common until captured.[5] | |
| res derelictae | abandoned goods | Material property abandoned by its owner | |
| res ipsa loquitur | the thing speaks for itself | The principle that the occurrence of an accident implies negligence. This principle allows the elements of duty of care, breach, and causation to be inferred from an injury that does not ordinarily occur without negligence. | |
| res gestae | things done | Differing meaning depending on what type of law is involved. May refer to the complete act of a felony, from start to finish, or may refer to statements given that may be exempt from hearsay rules. | |
| res judicata | a matter judged | A matter that has been finally adjudicated, meaning no further appeals or legal actions by the involved parties is now possible. | |
| res nullius | nobody’s thing | Ownerless property or goods. Such property or goods are able and subject to being owned by anybody. | |
| res publica | public affair | All things subject to concern by the citizenry. The root of the word republic. | |
| respondeat superior | Let the master answer. | A concept that the master (e.g. employer) is responsible for the actions of his subordinates (e.g. employees). | |
| scandalum magnatum | scandal of the magnates | Defamation against a peer in British law. Now repealed as a specific offense. | |
| scienter | knowingly | Used when offenses or torts were committed with the full awareness of the one so committing. | |
| scire facias | Let them know. | A writ, directing local officials to officially inform a party of official proceedings concerning them. | |
| scire feci | I have made known. | The official response of the official serving a writ of scire facias, informing the court that the writ has been properly delivered. | |
| secundum formam statuti | According to the form of the statute. | ||
| se defendendo | self-defense | The act of defending one’s own person or property, or the well-being or property of another. | |
| seriatim | in series | Describes the process in which the court hears assorted matters in a specific order. Also refers to an occasion where a multiple-judge panel will issue individual opinions from the members, rather than a single ruling from the entire panel. | |
| sine die | without day | Used when the court is adjourning without specifying a date to re-convene. See also adjournment sine die. | |
| sine qua non | without which, nothing | Refers to some essential event or action, without which there can be no specified consequence. | |
| situs | the place | Used to refer to laws specific to the location where specific property exists, or where an offense or tort was committed. | |
| stare decisis | to stand by [things] decided | The obligation of a judge to stand by a prior precedent. | |
| status quo status quo ante statu quo |
the state in which | In contract law, in a case of innocent representation, the injured party is entitled to be replaced in statu quo. Note the common usage is status quo from the Latin status quo ante, the «state in which before» or «the state of affairs that existed previously.»[8] | |
| stratum | a covering, from neuter past participle of sternere, to spread | 1) In property law, condominiums has said to occupy stratum many stories about the ground.[5] 2) Stratum can also be a societial level made up of individuals with similar status of social, cultural or economic nature. 3) Stratum can refer to classification in an organized system along the lines of layers, levels, divisions, or similar grouping. |
|
| sua sponte | of its own accord | Some action taken by the public prosecutor or another official body, without the prompting of a plaintiff or another party. (compare ex proprio motu, ex mero motu which are used for courts). | |
| sub judice | under the judge | Refers to a matter currently being considered by the court. | |
| sub modo | subject to modification | Term in contract law that allows limited modifications to a contract after the original form has been agreed to by all parties. | |
| sub nomine | under the name | Abbreviated sub nom.; used in case citations to indicate that the official name of a case changed during the proceedings, usually after appeal (e.g., rev’d sub nom. and aff’d sub nom.) | |
| sub silentio | under silence | A ruling, order, or other court action made without specifically stating the ruling, order, or action. The effect of the ruling or action is implied by related and subsequent actions, but not specifically stated. | |
| subpoena | under penalty | A writ compelling testimony, the production of evidence, or some other action, under penalty for failure to do so. | |
| subpoena ad testificandum | under penalty to be witnessed | An order compelling an entity to give oral testimony in a legal matter. | |
| subpoena duces tecum | bring with you under penalty | An order compelling an entity to produce physical evidence or witness in a legal matter. | |
| suggestio falsi | false suggestion | A false statement made in the negotiation of a contract. | |
| sui generis | of its own kind/genus | Something that is unique amongst a group. | |
| sui juris | of his own right | Refers to one legally competent to manage his own affairs. Also spelled sui iuris. | |
| suo motu | of its own motion | Refers to a court or other official agency taking some action on its own accord (synonyms: ex proprio motu, ex mero motu). Similar to sua sponte. | |
| supersedeas | refrain from | A bond tendered by an appellant as surety to the court, requesting a delay of payment for awards or damages granted, pending the outcome of the appeal. | |
| suppressio veri | suppression of the truth | Willful concealment of the truth when bound to reveal it, such as withholding details of damage from an auto accident from a prospective buyer of the car in that accident. | |
| supra | above | Used in citations to refer to a previously cited source. | |
| terra nullius | no one’s land | Land that has never been part of a sovereign state, or land which a sovereign state has relinquished claim to. | |
| trial de novo | trial anew | A completely new trial of a matter previously judged. It specifically refers to a replacement trial for the previous one, and not an appeal of the previous decision. | |
| trinoda necessitas | three-knotted need | Refers to a threefold tax levied on Anglo-Saxon citizens to cover roads, buildings, and the military. | |
| uberrima fides | most abundant faith | Concept in contract law specifying that all parties must act with the utmost good faith. | |
| ubi eadem ratio, ibi idem jus | where there is the same reason there is the same law;[12] like reason doth make like law.[13] | See the judgment of Lord Holt CJ in Ashby v White. | |
| ultra vires | beyond the powers | An act that requires legal authority to perform, but which is done without obtaining that authority. | |
| universitas personarum | totality of people | Aggregate of people, body corporate, as in a college, corporation, or state | |
| universitas rerum | totality of things | Aggregate of things. | |
| uno flatu | in one breath | Used to criticize inconsistencies in speech or testimony, as in: one says one thing, and in the same breath, says another contradictory thing. | |
| uti possidetis | as you possess | Ancient concept regarding conflicts, wherein all property possessed by the parties at the conclusion of the conflict shall remain owned by those parties unless treaties to the contrary are enacted. | |
| uxor | wife | Used in documents in place of the wife’s name. Usually abbreviated et ux. | |
| vel non | or not | Used when considering whether some event or situation is either present or it is not. | |
| veto | forbid | The power of an executive to prevent an action, especially the enactment of legislation. | |
| vice versa | the other way around | Something that is the same either way. | |
| vide | see | Used in citations to refer the reader to another location. | |
| videlicet | contraction of videre licet, meaning «it is permitted to see» | Used in documents to mean «namely» or «that is». Usually abbreviated viz. | |
| viz. | abbreviation of videlicet | Namely. | |
| vigilantibus non dormientibus iura subveniunt | The laws benefit those who are vigilant rather than those who sleep. |
Civil lawEdit
| Term or phrase | Literal translation | Definition and use | English pron | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| accessio | something added | Accession, i.e. mode of acquisition by creation in which labor and other goods are added to property in such a manner that the identity of the original property is not lost (vs. commixtio, specificatio) | |||
| accidentalia negotii | business incidentals | Express contractual terms that are purely voluntary, optional, and not necessitated by the contract’s subject matter. Also called incidentalia (Roman-Dutch law). One of three types of contractual terms, the others being essentialia negotii and naturalia negotii. | |||
| actus iuridicus | legal act | 1. In French-law-based systems, refers only to those sources of subjective law that are man-made and voluntary (vs. factum iuridicum); 2. In German-law-based systems, encompasses all sources of subjective law, be they man-made or not, voluntary or not. See also negotium iuridicum. | |||
| ad quantitatem | by the quantity | itemized, e.g. sale ad quantitatem = item sale (e.g. 100 carp, 10,000 lbs. of sugar, 10 casks of corn) (vs. per aversionem) | |||
| aditio hereditatis | hereditary approach | Entering into the inheritance, i.e. vesting of the inheritance in an heir or will beneficiary. See delatio hereditatis. | |||
| aliquid novi | something new | The new element or aspect of a novation (vs. idem debitum). Also known as novum. | |||
| casum sentit dominus | accident is felt by the owner | The owner who has to assume the risk of accidental harm to him or accidental loss to his property. | |||
| casus fortuitus | fortuitous event | Force majeure arising from a man-made inevitable accident (e.g. riots, strikes, civil war); ex: When H.M.S. Bounty was destroyed by Hurricane Sandy, October 29, 2012, casus fortuitus would describe the H.M.S. Bounty being at the wrong place when Hurricane Sandy came up the coast.HMS Bounty Sinks Compare vis maior (see below). | |||
| cautio de restituendo | guarantee to reinstate | Security or guarantee that heirs must provide in a case where an absent person’s estate is divided among them (insurance law) | |||
| cessio | yielding | Assignment, that is, the transfer of rights or benefits.
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| collatio bonorum | bringing together of goods | Hotchpot. Also called collatio inter liberos (Scots law). | |||
| commixtio | commingling | Confusion, i.e. acquisition by creation in which fungible solid or liquid goods (and no labor) of different owners intermingle in such a way that the mixture creates a new thing and can no longer be separately identified, it is owned by the owners in co-ownership (vs. accessio, specificatio) | |||
| commodatum | accommodation | Loan for use, i.e. bailment of movable property that is not perishable or consumable to be returned without payment. Parties:
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| communio bonorum | community of goods | The aggregate of marital property (or marital estate) under a community property matrimonial regime. | |||
| compensatio | balancing of accounts | Set-off. Type: compensatio lucri cum damno — set-off of profit and loss | |||
| compensatio morae | balance of delay | Delay in payment or performance on the part of both the debtor and the creditor. | |||
| confusio | melting together | Merger of counterparty rights in the same person (e.g. debtor-creditor, buyer-seller, landlord-tenant, etc.), thereby extinguishing an obligation or right. Adverb: confusione. | |||
| conjunctissimus | the most joined | Next-of-kin. Plural conjunctissimi. | |||
| contra bonos mores | against good morals | Contracts so made are generally illegal and unenforceable. | |||
| culpa | guilt | Unintentional negligence (in tort). Degrees:
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| cum beneficio inventarii | under benefit of inventory | As in an heir cum beneficio inventarii, who accepts his/her share in a deceased’s estate after having had an appraisal and estate inventory drawn up, thereby separating their share from the whole and limiting their liability. | |||
| cum onere | with burdens | (Louisiana law) as encumbered, i.e. alienated with the encumbrances running with the land. | |||
| cura | guardianship | Curatorship, i.e. legal guardianship under which the ward is totally and permanently incapable. Compare tutela. Parties are:
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| curator | guardian | Guardian under a curatorship (cura). Types are:
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| damnum emergens | emergent loss | Loss actually incurred because of a contractual breach | |||
| damnum et interesse | damage and interests | Tortious damages, damages in tort | |||
| data certa | certain date | Fixed effective date of a contract, i.e. one that cannot be ante- or post-dated | |||
| datio in solutum | giving in payment | Species of accord and satisfaction by transfer or assignment of property in lieu of money; kind of in-kind payment, as opposed to a money payment | |||
| de cujus | (s)he for whom… | The deceased, decedent. Short for de cujus successione agitur. | |||
| delatio hereditatis | hereditary transferral | Falling open of succession. See aditio hereditatis. | |||
| domicilium citandi et executandi | domicile for summoning and carrying out | Address for service or notices (e.g. for contractual purposes). | |||
| dominium plurium in solidum | plural, joint and several ownership | Joint tenancy. | |||
| dominium pro parte pro indiviso | unpartitioned and undivided ownership | Tenancy in common. Also known as communio pro partibus indivisis. | |||
| dominus litis | master of the case | Litigant, the client in a lawsuit, as opposed to the lawyer. | |||
| error in iudicando | error in judgment (in court) | Error of fact and reasoning (vs. error in procedendo) | |||
| error in procedendo | procedural error (in court) | Error on a point of law or procedure (vs. error in iudicando) | |||
| essentalia negotii | business essentials | Express or implied contractual terms that are required either by law or by the contract’s subject matter. One of three types of contractual terms, the others being accidentialia negotii and naturalia negotii. | |||
| ex intervalo temporis | Not all at once, in parts (vs. uno contextu). | ||||
| ex propriis sensibus | with one’s own senses | Used for firsthand testimony, e.g. testimony ex propriis sensibus (vs. per relationem). | |||
| factum iuridicum | legal fact | In French-law-based systems, refers to those sources of subjective law that are either not man-made or man-made but involuntary (vs. actus iuridicus). | |||
| falsus procurator | fake agent | Agent de son tort, officious agent | |||
| fideicommissum | entrusting to (a person’s) good faith. | Testamentary trust; a form of substitution (called ‘fideicommissary substitution’) in which a will beneficiary is instructed in the will to transfer the testamentary gift in whole or part to a third party. A fideicommissum is created either expressly in a will or impliedly through a si sine liberis decesserit clause or through a prohibition against alienation in the will.[14]
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| fideiussio | Suretyship. | ||||
| fructus industriales | industrial fruits | Emblements; in property law, a co-owner profiting from her or his fructus industriales is solely responsible for any losses that my occur.[5] (vs. fructus naturales, see below). | |||
| fructus naturales | natural fruits | Vegetation naturally growing from old roots (as pasturage) or from trees (as timber or fruit) (vs. fructus industriales, see above). | |||
| hereditas iacens | lying inheritance | Estate of inheritance before vesting in heirs | |||
| heres | Heir. Plural heredes. Types:
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| hypotheca | Mortgage | ||||
| idem debitum | same debt | The element or aspect of the novation that doesn’t change (vs. aliquid novi) | |||
| in casu | in the case | In the instant case; used when referring to the matter before the court in a case being discussed | |||
| in solidum | for the whole | Jointly and severally; short for singuli et in solidum. Where a group of persons share liability for a debt, such as co-signers to a loan, the debtor can sue a single party in solidum, that is jointly and severally, to recover the entire amount owed. | |||
| inaedificatio | building | Attachment of movables to land, accession by building | |||
| inaudita altera parte | without hearing the other party | Equivalent of common law ex parte, especially in the context of submitting a motion, brief, or obtaining relief as fast as possible | |||
| incapax | incapable | (Scots law) person not having capacity (mental, legal, or otherwise). | [ɪnˈkapaks] | ||
| indignus (heres) | unworthy heir | Unworthy beneficiary or heir, who is precluded from inheriting because his conduct makes him unworthy, in a legal sense, to take in the deceased’s estate. | |||
| infans | infant | (Roman-Dutch law) child of 7 years or younger and who therefore has very limited legal capacity. Plural infantes. | [ˈinˌfanz] | ||
| invecta et illata | brought in and carried out | Tenant’s things brought into the leased premises for his/her temporary use | |||
| iudex ad quem | Appellate court or court of last resort (vs. iudex a quo) | ||||
| iudex a quo | Lower court from which an appeal originates; originating court (vs. iudex ad quem) | ||||
| iura novit curia | the court knows the law | The principle that the parties to a legal dispute do not need to plead or prove the law that applies to their case. | |||
| ius accrescendi | right of accrual | (Civil law) Accretion, i.e. right of a will beneficiary to succeed proportionately to a testamentary gift that another beneficiary in the same will cannot or does not want to take. | |||
| ius commune | common law | Not actually referring to common law; this term refers to common doctrine and principles of civil law that underlie all aspects of civilian legal systems and that formed the basis of medieval Roman law. | |||
| ius persequendi | right of following | Right of pursuit, i.e. the creditor’s right to pursue a debt that runs with the land into the hands of a bona fide purchaser | |||
| ius praeferendi | right of preferring | Priority right or preferential right, i.e. a creditor’s right to rank higher relative to another | |||
| ius quaesitum tertio | right to third-party relief | Right of a third-party beneficiary to sue in order to enforce a third-party contract, i.e. the opposite of privity of contract. | |||
| ius retentionis | right of retaining | Lien (possessory) | |||
| ius variandi | right of varying | Free choice of court actions where concurrent actions lie, e.g. tort and criminal, or tort and breach of contract. | |||
| laesio enormis | unusual injury | Lesion, i.e. excessive loss or injury used as grounds for setting aside a contract. Lesion beyond moiety (laesio ultra dimidium) is the standard in French-law-based systems; sold for less than half its value or purchased for more than double. | |||
| lex commissoria | cancelling law | Forfeiture clause for nonperformance of a contract, especially (1) a provision that a pledge shall be forfeited if a loan is defaulted, or (2) a condition that money paid on a contract of sale shall be forfeited and the sale rescinded if outstanding payments are defaulted. Also known as a pactum commissorium. | |||
| liberandi causa | liberating cause | As in ‘prescription liberandi causa’, i.e. liberative prescription (aka extinctive prescription), which is the civilian equivalent of a statutory limitation period. | |||
| locatio conductio | leasing (and) hiring | Hire or rental. Types:
|
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| lucrum cessans | ceasing profit | Prospective damages or loss of profits that would, because of the contractual breach, have been made in the future | |||
| mandatum | mandate | Bilateral agreement for direct representation between a principal and agent. Compare procuratio. Parties:
|
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| monstrum | monster | Child born with severe deformities. Plural monstra. | |||
| mora accipiendi | delay of the one receiving | Delay in payment or performance in the part of the creditor or obligor. Also known as mora creditoris. | |||
| mora solvendi | delay of the one paying | Delay in payment or performance in the part of the debtor or the obligee. Also known as mora debitoris. 2 forms:
|
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| naturalia negotii | business naturals | Express or implied contractual terms that go to the root of a contract’s subject matter. One of three types of contractual terms, the others being accidentialia negotii and essentalia negotii. | |||
| nec vi, nec clam, nec precario | Without force, without secrecy, without permission | Peacefully, openly, and with the intention to acquire ownership; applies to acquisitive prescription | |||
| negotiorum gestio | management of affairs | Quasi-contractual obligation arising from benevolent or necessitous intermeddling, obliging the benefited party (dominus negotii) to reimburse the intermeddler (gestor) for the cost that was used in doing good works. | |||
| negotium iuridicum | legal business | 1. In French-law-based systems, refers to the legal operation, activity, or fact embodied or memorialized by a legal instrument (as opposed to the instrument itself, known as an instrumentum); 2. In German-law-based systems, refers to a transactional act, the main sub-type of legal acts. See also actus iuridicus. | |||
| non bis in idem | not twice in the same | Prohibition against double jeopardy. A legal action cannot be brought twice for the same act or offense. | [nɔnbisinidɛm] | ||
| novum iudicium | new judgment | Appeal by way of hearing de novo, i.e. the case is retried with no restrictions of scope: errors of law are reviewed and new findings of fact are made. (vs. revisio prioris instantiae) | |||
| nudum praeceptum | naked precept | If a testator places a prohibition on a testamentary gift but fails to say what should happen to the gift if the prohibition is contravened, the prohibition is said to be ‘nude’, i.e. a nudum praeceptum. In other words, the prohibition is of no effect, and the beneficiary will take the gift free from any restrictions. | |||
| pactum de contrahendo | agreement to contract | Prior contract aimed at concluding another contract, known as the parent or principal contract. Includes binders (in real estate sales), such as a purchase offer or an option to sell. | |||
| pactum de non cedendo | agreement to not yield | Anti-assignment clause | |||
| pactum de non petendo (in anticipando) | agreement to not sue | Agreement in which one party agrees not to sue the other. | |||
| pactum de retrovendendo | agreement to sell back | Contract of sale with right of repurchase | |||
| pactum reservati dominii | agreement of reserved owners | Reservation of title | |||
| pactum successorium | inheritance agreement | Bilateral contract concerning succession, usually made between a potential testator (future decedent) and his/her heir. Plural pacta successoria. The most common forms are:
|
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| pars dominii | ownership part | The three major rights in the bundle of rights making up ownership, i.e. usus (aka ius utendi), fructus (aka ius fruendi), and abusus (aka ius abutendi). | |||
| paterfamilias | father of the family | The head of household, for purposes of considering the rights and responsibilities thereof. (Civil law) bonus paterfamilias: a standard of care equivalent to the common law ordinary reasonable man. Other degrees of care are:
|
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| penitus extraneus | outside penitent | Incidental beneficiary or any outside party to a third-party contract (see stipulatio alteri). Plural penitus extranei. | |||
| per aversionem | by turning away | (1) description, whereby the surrounding property is used to provide the legal description of the boundaries of the property; (2) sale per aversionem = bulk sale (a flock of sheep for $100 — the number of sheep are uncounted) (vs. ad quantitatum) | |||
| per relationem | by relation | Hearsay; used for secondhand, indirect evidence, e.g. testimony per relationem ‘hearsay testimony’ (vs. ex propriis sensibus). Also called de auditu. | |||
| pignus | pledge | Pledge, i.e. a possessory security interest | |||
| pleno iure | by full right | Self-executing, without need of a court order or judicial proceedings; with full right or authority. Ex: null pleno iure. | |||
| plus quam tolerabile | more than tolerable | Excessive, beyond tolerable; in reference to a nuisance or some other violation of neighbor law. | |||
| praedium | estate | Landed property, tenement of land, especially with respect to an easement (servitude). 2 types:
|
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| praeemptio | previous purchase | Right of first refusal | |||
| praesumptio | presumption | Legal presumption. Types:
|
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| praesumptio innocentiae | Presumption of innocence | ||||
| praesumptio veritatis et solemnitatis | presumption of truth and solemnity | Presumption of regularity, which attaches to public instruments admissible to prove the truth of their contents. | |||
| pretium pro doloribus | price for pain | Solatium. | |||
| prior tempore potior iure | earlier in time, stronger in law | (Scots law, civil law), usually translated as «prior in time, superior in right», the principle that someone who registers (a security interest) earlier therefore ranks higher than other creditors. | |||
| probatio | Evidence (admissible in a court of law), especially documentary evidence. Types:
|
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| procuratio | management | Power of attorney, i.e. a unilateral grant of indirect representation by a principal to an attorney-in-fact. Compare mandatum. | |||
| procurator | Agent, attorney-in-fact. Types:
|
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| quaestus liberales | Liberal profession | ||||
| restitutio in integrum | total reinstatement | (1) Restoration of something, such as a building or damaged property, to its original condition. (2) In contract law, when considering breach of contract and remedies, to restore a party to an original position.[8] |
|||
| revisio prioris instantiae | review of the court below | Appeal by way of re-hearing or pure appeal (aka appeal stricto sensu); the scope is limited to errors of law and no new factual findings are possible; the case is traditionally remitted to the originating court below for re-judgment. (vs. novum iudicium) | |||
| salva rei substantia | the thing’s substance intact | Limitation on how a fiduciary can use the fideicommissary assets; ultimately they must maintain their essential quality until transferred to the fideicommissary.[14] Plural salva rerum substantia. See fideicommissum. | |||
| servitus | servitude, subjugation | Servitude, i.e. an easement. Plural servitutes.
|
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| si sine liberis decesserit | if (he) should depart without children | Certain type of clause in a will creating a fideicommissum by imposing a condition on the will beneficiary that if (s)he dies childless, the testamentary gift will transfer to a third party. Ex: If A dies childless after my death, the farm must go to B.[14] See fideicommissum. | |||
| solarium | area exposed to sunlight | Ground rent for a surface right or estate (superficies). | |||
| solutio indebiti | performance of something not due | Undue performance or payment, obliging the enrichee (accipiens) to return the undue payment or compensate the impoverishee (solvens) for the undue performance | |||
| specificatio | Specification, i.e. mode of acquisition by creation wherein something new is made by adding labor (manufacturing) to property, and the non-reducible parts used for its fabrication lose their identity (vs. accessio, commixtio). The new thing is called nova species. | ||||
| spei emptio, emptio spei | sale of hope | Sale of a chance, hope, or expectancy | |||
| spes futurae actionis | hope of future action | Future or contingent right of action | |||
| spes successionis | hope of succession | Expectancy (of heirship) | |||
| spoliatio | plundering | Spoliation, i.e. act of unlawful dispossession of corporeal property. Parties:
|
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| stante matrimonio | During the marriage | ||||
| stipulatio alteri | another’s (contractual) provision | Third-party contract. Also known as pactum in favorem tertii (German-law-based systems). The parties are:
|
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| superficies | surface | Surface right, surface estate. Parties:
|
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| tantum et tale | thus and such | (Scots law) «as is», to disclaim implied warranties, as in to purchase or convey something tantum et tale. | |||
| transactio | transaction | Out-of-court settlement | |||
| tutela | guardianship | Tutorship, i.e. legal guardianship under which the ward is only partially or temporarily incapable. Compare cura. Parties are
|
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| uno contextu | single joining together | Contemporaneously; when the phases of something are done without interruption or any intervening action; specifically, executed in one single execution ceremony (vs. ex intervalo temporis) | |||
| usucapio | seizure of use | Acquisitive prescription, i.e. the civilian equivalent of adverse possession. Also called ‘prescription acquirendi causa’. | |||
| usufructus | use-fruit | Civilian equivalent of a life estate. Parties:
|
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| via executoria | executorial way | Non-judicial foreclosure under a power of sale clause in a mortgage; more broadly, any non-judicial remedy empowered under a contractual clause or some other instrument | |||
| via iure | way of law | Using the courts and the justice system (opposite of self-help) | |||
| vinculum iuris | the chain of the law | A legal bond, especially the bond tying obligor and obligee in a legal obligation | |||
| vis maior | superior force | Force majeure arising from an act of God, i.e. events over which no humans have control, and so cannot be held responsible. Compare casus fortuitus (see above). | |||
| vitium in contrahendo | vice in contracting | Vitiating factor in the formation of a contract, e.g. mistake (error), misrepresentation (dolus), and duress (metus). | |||
| voluntatis declaratio | Declaration of will, manifestation of intent(ion) |
Ecclesiastical lawEdit
| Term or phrase | Definition and use |
|---|---|
| advocatus diaboli | Official who argues against an individual’s beatification |
| ebdomadarius | Person in a cathedral who supervises regular performance of religious services and assigns duties of choir members |
| eleemosynae | Possessions of the church |
| embryo formatus | Human embryo «organized into human shape and endowed with a soul»[15] |
| embryo informatus | Human embryo before endowment with a soul[16] |
| episcoporum ecidicus | church lawyer |
| episcopus puerorum | «bishop of the boys»; a layperson who on some feastdays braided his hair, dressed as a bishop and acted in a «ludicrous» manner[15] |
| excommunicato capiendo | Writ originally issued from chancery that required a sheriff to arrest and imprison an excommunicant defendant |
| excommunicato recapiendo | Writ ordering excommunicant imprisoned for «obstinancy» be re-imprisoned if freed before agreeing to obey authority of church |
| Extravagantes | Papal constitutions and decretal epistles of Pope John XXII |
| formata | Canonical letters |
| gardianus ecclesiae | Churchwarden |
| legit vel non | «Does he read or not?»; this question was asked to church officials by secular courts when an accused defendant claimed a jurisdictional exemption under benefit of the clergy and if the church accepted the claim the official would reply legit ut clericus («he reads like a clerk») |
See alsoEdit
- Brocard (law)
- Byzantine law
- Code of Hammurabi
- Corpus Juris Canonici
- International Roman Law Moot Court
- Law French
- List of Latin abbreviations
- List of Latin phrases (full)
- List of fallacies
- List of Philippine legal terms
- List of Roman laws
- Twelve Tables
NotesEdit
- ^ a b Yogis, John (1995). Canadian Law Dictionary (4th ed.). Barron’s Education Series.
- ^ Law, Jonathan; Martin, Elizabeth A. (2009). «ad colligenda bona». Oxford Reference (2014 ed.). Oxford University Press. Retrieved 2022-04-11.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Black’s Law Dictionary (11th ed.). 2019.
- ^ Gordon v. Steele, 376 F. Supp. 575, 577–78 (W.D. Pa. 1974) («The fact of residency must be coupled with a finding of intent to remain indefinitely»)(quoting Gallagher v. Philadelphia Transp. Co., 185 F.2d 543, 546 (3d Cir. 1950))
- ^ a b c d e f g h Benson, Marjorie L; Bowden, Marie-Ann; Newman, Dwight (2008). Understanding Property: A Guide (2nd ed.). Thomson Carswell.
- ^ «Animus testandi». Merriam Webster. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
- ^ A Selection of Legal Maxims, classified and illustrated, p. 151, at Google Books
- ^ a b c d e f g Willes, John A; Willes, John H (2012). Contemporary Canadian Business Law: Principles and Cases (9th ed.). McGraw-Hill Ryerson.
- ^ Fellmeth, Aaron X.; Horwit, Maurice (2009). Guide to Latin in International Law. Oxford University Press. p. 76. ISBN 9780195369380. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
- ^ Cases Illustrating the Principles of the Laws of Torts, p. 476, at Google Books
- ^ Foëx, Benedict (2017). «Intro. aux art. 641–645 CC». Commentaire romand, Code civil II (in French). Basel: Helbing Lichtenhahn. p. 1110.
- ^ O’Hara v State, 448 So.2d 524, 529 (District Court of Appeal of Florida, Fifth District 1984) («(Footnote [13]) Ubi eadem ratio ibi; idem jus; et de similibus idem est judicium. Where there is the same reason, there is the same law; and where there are similar situations, the judgment is the same.«).
- ^ A Selection of Legal Maxims: Classified and Illustrated, p. 64, at Google Books
- ^ a b c M.J. de Waal, ‘The Law of Succession’, in Introduction to the Law of South Africa, eds. C. G. van der Merwe & Jacques E. du Plessis (The Hague: Kluwer Law International, 2004), 183–5.
- ^ a b Black’s Law Dictionary, 9th edition
- ^ The distinction between embryo formatus and embryo informatus is first accepted around the year 1140 by Gratian in Decretum Gratiani where he writes that abortion is not murder if the soul of the fetus had not yet been endowed (informatus). This had previously been rejected by early church doctrines. By the 16th century the time of formatus was accepted as the 40th day after conception for a male fetus and the 80th day for a female fetus. However, informed by modern science of embryo development, the Church now recognizes these assumptions be erroneous.
ReferencesEdit
- Gabriel Adeleye & Kofi Acquah-Dadzie. World Dictionary of Foreign Expressions: A Resource for Readers and Writers. Ed. by Thomas J. Sienkewicz & James T. McDonough, Jr. Wauconda, Ill.: Bolchazy-Carducci Publishers, 1999.
- Ruben E. Agpalo. Agpalo’s Legal Words and Phrases. Manila, Philippines: Rex Book Store, 1997.
- Harold Rudolf Walraven Gokkel & Nicolaas van der Wal. Juridisch Latijn, 6th edn. Deventer: Kluwer, 2001.
- V.G. Hiemstra & H.L. Gonin. Trilingual Legal Dictionary, 3rd edn. Cape Town, South Africa: Juta, 2001.
- William Allen Jowitt. Jowitt’s Dictionary of English Law, 2nd edn. Revised by John Burke, Clifford Walsh, & Emlyn Williams. 2 vols. London: Sweet & Maxwell, 1977.
- Cezar C. Peralejo & Pacifico A. Agabin. English-Filipino Legal Dictionary. Quezon City, Philippines: Sentro ng Wikang Filipino, University of the Philippines, 1995.
- Theo B. Rood. Glossarium: A Compilation of Latin Words and Phrases Generally Used in Law with English Translations. Bryanston, South Africa: Proctrust Publications, 2003.
- Jan Scholtemeijer & Paul Hasse. Legal Latin: A Basic Course. Pretoria, South Africa: J.L. van Schaik Publishers, 1993.
- Datinder Sodhi & R. S. Vasan, eds. Latin Words & Phrases for Lawyers. New York: Law and Business Publications, 1980.
- Russ VerSteeg. Essential Latin for Lawyers. Durham, North Carolina: Carolina Academic Press, 1990.
A – B – C – D – E – F – G – H – I – J – K – L – M – N – O – P – Q – R – S – T – U – V – W
A
a, ab (prep. with abl.) from, by
absum, abesse, afui, -, to be away from, absent, lacking
acquieto, acquietare, acquietavi, acquietatum (1) to acquit
acra, -e (f.) acre
actio, actionis (f.) action
Ada or Adam, Ade (m.) Adam
adiacens, -entis adjacent
adiudico, adiudicare, adiudicavi, adiudicatum (1) to adjudge
adiungo, adiungere, adiunxi, adiunctum (3) to adjoin
adjudico, adjudicare, adjudicavi, adjudicatum (1) to adjudge
adjungo, adjungere, adjunxi, adjunctum (3) to adjoin
administracio, -ionis (f.) administration
adsum, adesse, adfui, -, to be present
adtunc then
aggredior, aggredi, aggessus sum (3, depon.) to attack, approach
ago, agere, egi, actum (3) to do, act
albus, -a, -um (adj.) white
aliquis, aliquid any
alius, alia, aliud (pron. and adj.) other, another
alter, altera, alterum (pron. and adj.) other (of two things)
amitto, amittere, amisi, amissum (3) to lose
amo, amare, amavi, amatum (1) to love
Anglia, Anglie (f.) England
anima, -e (f.) soul
animal, animalis (n.) animal
annuatim (adv.) annually
annus, -i (m.) year
annuus, -a, -um (adj.) annual
anser, anseris (m. and f.) goose
antedictus, -a, -um (adj.) aforesaid
antequam before
Anthonius or Antonius, -ii (m.) Anthony
antiquus, -a, -um (adj.) old
aperio, aperire, aperui, apertum (4) to open
appareo, apparere, apparui, apparitum (2) to appear
appello, appellare, appellavi, appellatum (1) to call
appono, apponere, apposui, appositum (3) to affix
apud at
argentum, -i (n.) silver
armo, armare, armavi, armatum (1) to arm
asporto, asportare, asportavi, asportatum (1) to carry off
assensus, -us (m.) assent, agreement
assequor, assequi, assecutus sum (3, depon.) to pursue
assignatus, -i (m.) assign, assignee
associo, associare, associavi, associatum (1) to ally
atque and
attachiamentum, -i (n.) attachment
attachio, attachiare, attachiavi, attachiatum (1) to attach
attornatus, -i (m.) attorney
audio, audire, audivi, auditum (4) to hear
aut or
avus, -i (m.) grandfather
B
balliva, -e (f.) bailiwick
ballivus, -i (m.) bailiff
barganizo, barganizare, barganizavi, barganizatum (1) to bargain
beatus, -a, -um (adj.) blessed
bene well
bona, -orum (n. pl.) goods
bonus, -a, -um (adj.) good
bos, bovis (m., gen. pl. boum, dat. and abl. pl. bobus) bull, ox
breve, brevis (n.) writ
brevis, -is, -e (adj.) short
burgus, -i (m.) borough
C
calumpnia, -e (f.) charge, accusation
campus, -i (m.) field
cancellarius, – ii (m.) chancellor (royal)
capella, -e (f.) chapel
capellanus, -i (m.) chaplain
capio, capere, cepi, captum (3) to take, to begin
capitalis, -e (adj.) chief
capitaneus, -i (m.) captain
captura, -e (f.) capture
caput, capitis (n.) head, chief
carta, -e (f.) charter
catallum, -i (n.) chattel, cattle
cathedralis, -e (adj.) of a cathedral
celeber, -bris, -bre famous, renowned
centum one hundred
ceterus, -a, -um (adj.) other
cista, -e (f.) box, chest
citra before
civitas, civitatis (f.) town, city
clameum, clamei (n.) claim
clamo, clamare, clamavi, clamatum (1) to claim
clarus, -a, -um (adj.) clear
claudo, claudere, clausi, clausum (3) to close, enclose
clausum, -i (n.) close (of land)
cohercio, -ionis (f.) coercion
colloquium, colloquii (n.) a conference
comes, comitis (m.) earl
committo, committere, commisi, commissum (3) to commit
commune, communis (n.) common land, common rights
communes, communium (n. pl.) commons (estate of the realm)
compleo, complere, complevi, completum (2) to complete, fill
compos, -otis (adj.) in possession of, (compos mentis sound of mind)
computo, computare, computavi, computatum (1) to account
concedo, concedere, concessi, concessum (3) to grant, yield
concessio, concessionis (f.) grant
concordia, -e (f.) concord, agreement
concordo, concordare, concordavi, concordatum (1) to agree, concord
condo, condere, condidi, conditum (3) to found, construct, make (a will)
condono, condonare, condonavi, condonatum (1) to pardon
confirmatio, confirmationis (f.) confirmation
confirmo, confirmare, confirmavi, confirmatum (1) to confirm
conor, conari, conatus sum (1, depon.) to try
conqueror, conqueri, conquestus sum (3, depon.) to complain
conservo, conservare, conservavi, conservatum (1) to keep, maintain
consigno, consignare, consignavi, consignatum (1) to consign
constabularius, -i (m.) constable
constituo, constituere, constitui, constitutum (3) to appoint, establish
consuetudo, -inis (f.) custom
contineo, continere, continui, contentum (3) to contain
contingo, contingere, contigi, contactum (3) to happen, befall, come to pass
continuo, continuare, continuavi, continuatum (1) to continue
convenio, convenire, conveni, conventum (4) to assemble
convenit it is agreed; it is suitable
conventus, -us (m.) convent
convinco, convincere, convici, convictum (3) to convict
corpus, corporis (n.) body
cottagium, -ii (n.) cottage
creditor, creditoris (m.) creditor
creditum, -i (n.) credit
credo, credere, credidi, creditum (3) to believe
cum (prep. with abl.) with
cum (conj. with verbs) whereas, when, since, although
curia, -e (f.) court
cursum, -i (n.) course
custodia, -e (f.) custody, keeping
D
dampnum, -i (n.) damage, loss
de (prep. with abl.) of, from, concerning
de cetero henceforth
debeo, debere, debui, debitum (2) to owe, have to
decedo, decedere, decessi, decessum (3) to withdraw, decease, die
decem ten
decerno, decernere, decrevi, decretum (3) to decree
declaro, declarare, declaravi, declaratum (1) to declare
defendo, defendere, defendi, defensum (3) to defend
defensor, -oris (m.) defender, defendant
deficio, deficere, defeci, defectum (3) to be wanting, fail, default
defunctus, -a, -um (adj.) deceased
delibero, deliberare, deliberavi, deliberatum (1) to deliberate, deliver
demanda, -e (f.) demand
denarius, -a, -um (adj.) monetary, of money
denarius, -ii (m.) coin, penny, money
denego, denegare, denegavi, denegatum (1) to deny
deus, -i (m.) god
devenio, devenire, deveni, deventum (4) to go to, arrive, reach
devotus, -a, -um (adj.) devoted
dico, dicere, dixi, dictum (3) to say
dictus, -a, -um (adj.) said
dies, diei (generally m., but sometimes f.) day
dies Iovis Thursday
difficilis, -is, -e (adj.) difficult
dilectus, -a, -um (adj.) beloved
diligenter (adv.) diligently
dimidia, -e (f.) half
discedo, discedere, discessi, discessum (3) to die, decease
dispono, disponere, disposui, dispositum (3) to dispose of
distribuo, distribuere, distribui, distributum (3) to distribute
districcio, -ionis (f.) distraint
distringo, distringere, distrinxi, districtum (3) to distrain
disturbo, disturbare, disturbavi, disturbatum (1) to disturb
diu for a long time
diutius (adv.) longer
divinus, -a, -um (adj.) divine
do, dare, dedi, datum (1) to give
dominus, -i (m.) lord, master
donec until
Dorothea, -e (f.) Dorothy
duco, ducere, duxi, ductum (3) to lead, consider
dum while
duo, due, duo two
E
ecclesia, ecclesie (f.) church
eciam, etiam also
edico, edicere, edixi, edictum (3) to publish, proclaim, enact
Edwardus, -i (m.) Edward
eger, egra, egrum (adj.) ill
ego I
eligo, eligere, elegi, electum (3) to choose, elect
Elizabetha, -e (f.) Elizabeth
emendo, emendare, emendavi, emendatum (1) to repair, make amends
Emmota, -e (f.) Emmota
eo, ire, ivi, itum (4) to go
episcopus, -i (m.) bishop
equa, -e (f.) mare
equaliter equally
eradico, eradicare, eradicavi, eradicatum (1) to uproot
erigo, erigere, erexi, erectum (3) to erect
escaetor, -oris (m.) escheator
esculenta, -orum (n. pl.) food
escuro, escurare, escuravi, escuratum (1) to scour
essonio, essoniare, essoniavi, essoniatum (1) to essoin, excuse oneself (from appearing in court)
estimacio, -ionis (f.) estimation
et and
etas, etatis (f.) age
etiam also
evidencia, -e (f.) evidence
ex (prep. with abl.) from, out of, according to
excellens, excellentis excellent
excipio, excipere, excepi, exceptum (3) to except
excludo, excludere, exclusi, exclusum (3) to exclude
executrix, -icis (f.) executrix
exigo, exigere, exegi, exactum (3) to demand, exact
existo, existere, exstiti, exstitum (3) to be
exitus, -us (m.) issue, revenue, exit
exonero, exonerare, exoneravi, exoneratum (1) to discharge
extendo, extendere, extendi, extentum (3) to extend
extunc then, thereafter
F
facilis, -is, -e easy
facio, facere, feci, factum (3) to do, make, cause
famulus, -i (m.) servant
felonice (adv.) feloniously
femineus, -a, -um (adj.) female
feodum, -i (n.) fee
feoffo, feoffare, feoffavi, feoffatum (1) to enfeoff
feria, –e (f.) fair
fero, ferre, tuli, latum to bear, carry
festum, -i (n.) festival
fideliter faithfully
Fides, Fidei (f) Faith
fides, fidei (f.) faith, fealty
filia, -e (f.) daughter
filius, -ii (m.) son
finalis, -e (adj.) final
finis, finis (m., but sometimes f.) fine, penalty; end, boundary
fio, fieri, factus sum (3) to be made, become
fodio, fodere, fodi, fossum (3) to dig
fossa, -e (f.) ditch
fosso, fossare, fossavi, fossatum (1) to dig
fossum, -i (n.) ditch
Francia, -e (f.) France
franckiplegium, -ii or franciplegium, -ii (n.) frankpledge
frango, frangere, fregi, fractum (3) to break
frater, fratris (m.) brother
fraudulentus, -a, -um fraudulent
furo, furare, furavi, furatum (1) to steal
G
gardianus, -i (m.) warden
gardinum, -i (n.) garden
gaudeo, gaudere, gavisus sum (2, semi-depon.) to enjoy, to use
Georgius, -ii (m.) George
gratanter (adv.) with joy or pleasure, cheerfully
gratia, -e (f.) grace
gravo, gravare, gravavi, gravatum (1) to oppress
H
habeo, habere, habui, habitum (2) to have
hactenus so far, so long, up to now
Henricus, -i (m.) Henry
hereditamentum, -i (n.) hereditament
heres, heredis (m., f.) heir
Hibernia, -e (f.) Ireland
hic, hec, hoc (pron. and adj.) this
hida, -e (f.) hide
homo, hominis (m.) man
huiusmodi this
Humfridus, -i (m.) Humphrey
I
ibidem there, in the same place
idem, eadem, idem the same
ideo therefore
idoneus, -a, -um (adj.) suitable
ille, illa, illud he/she/it, that
illesus, -a, -um (adj.) unharmed, inviolate
imperpetuum forever
impeto, impetere, impetivi, impetitum (3) to impeach
impono, imponere, imposui, impositum (3) to impose
imprimis firstly, first of all
in capite in chief
in futurum for the future
in perpetuum forever
inculpo, inculpare, inculpavi, inculpatum (1) to accuse
indempnis, -e (adj.) immune from injury or loss
indentura, -e (f.) indenture
infra within, in
ingredior, ingredi, ingressus sum (3, depon.) to enter
inhabito, inhabitare, inhabitavi, inhabitatum (1) to inhabit
inimicus, i (m.) enemy
iniungo, iniungere, iniunxi, iniunctum (3) to enjoin, command
iniuste (adv.) unjustly
inquiro, inquirere, inquisivi, inquisitum (3) to inquire
inquisicio, -ionis (f.) inquisition, inquiry
insolutus, -a, -um (adj.) unpaid
inspicio, inspicere, inspexi, inspectum (3) to inspect
instanter (adv.) instantly
instruo, instruere, instruxi, instructum (3) to equip, draw up
intellego, intellegere, intellexi, intellectum (3) to understand
inter (prep. with acc.) between, among
invenio, invenire, inveni, inventum (4) to find
ipse, ipsa, ipsum he, himself; she, herself; itself
is, ea, id he/she/it, this or that
iste, ista, istud this (man), this (woman), this (thing)
ita so
item likewise, item
iudicium, ii (n.) judgement
J
jaceo, jacere, jacui, jacitum (2) to lie
Jacobus, -i (m.) James, Jacob
Johanna, -e (f.) Johanna, Joan
Johannes, Johannis (m.) John
judex, judicis (m.) judge
judicium, -ii (n.) judgement
jurator, juratoris (m.) juror
juro, jurare, juravi, juratum (1) to swear
jus, juris (n.) right, law
justiciarius, -ii (m.) judge, justice
justus, -a, -um (adj.) just
K
Katerina, -e (f.)or Katherina, -e (f.) Katherine
L
largus, -a, -um large, wide
latus, -a, -um wide
Laurencius or Laurentius, -ii (m.) Lawrence
legacio, -ionis (f.) legacy
legalis, legale lawful
legatum, -i (n.) bequest, legacy
legitimus, -a, -um legitimate, lawful
lego, legare, legavi, legatum (1) to bequeath
levo, levare, levavi, levatum (1) to levy
liber, libera, liberum (adj.) free
libero, liberare, liberavi, liberatum (1) to free; to warrant, to pay (money)
libertas, libertatis (f.) liberty, freedom
libra, -e (f.) pound
licencia, -e (f.) licence
licet it is allowed, it is lawful
ligo, ligare, ligavi, ligatum (1) to bind
lis, litis (f., gen. pl. -ium) dispute, law-suit
littera, -e (f.) letter
loco, locare, locavi, locatum (1) to place
locus, -i (m.) place
longus, -a, -um long
loquor, loqui, locutus sum (3, depon.) to speak
Lucia, -e (f.) Lucy
M
magis (adv.) more
magnopere (adv.) greatly
magnus, -a, -um (adj.) great
malo, malle, malui, -, to prefer
malus, -a, -um (adj.) bad
mando, mandare, mandavi, mandatum (1) to command
manerium, -ii (n.) manor
manus, -us (f.) hand
manus mortua (f.) mortmain
marca, -e (f.) mark
Margareta, -e (f.) Margaret
Maria, -e (f.) Mary
martyr, martyris (m.) martyr
masculus, -a, -um (adj.) male
mater, matris (f.) mother
melior, melius (adj.) better
memoria, -e (f.) memory
memoro, memorare, memoravi, memoratum (1) to mention
mentiono, mentionare, mentionavi, mentionatum (1) to mention
mens, mentis (f.) mind
mensis, mensis (m.) month
mentiono, mentionare, mentionavi, mentionatum (1) to mention
mercator, mercatoris (m.) merchant
messuagium or mesuagium, -ii (n.) messuage, house, holding
meta, -e (f.) mete, boundary
meus, -a, -um my
Michael, Michaelis (m.) Michael
miles, militis (m.) knight, soldier
minister, ministri (m.) minister
misericordia, -e (f.) mercy, amercement
mitto, mittere, misi, missum (3) to send
modus, -i (m.) way, manner
molesto, molestare, molestavi, molestatum (1) to molest
moneo, monere, monui, monitum (2) to warn, advise
morior, mori, mortuus sum (3, depon.) to die
mors, mortis (f.) death
mortuarium, -ii (n.) mortuary payment
moveo, movere, movi, motum (2) to move, set in motion
multum much
multus, -a, -um (adj.) many
muto, mutare, mutavi, mutatum (1) to change
N
nauta, -e (m.) sailor
navicula, -e (f.) small boat, small ship
navis, navis (f.) ship
nec … nec neither … nor
neuter, -tra, -trum (adj.) neither (of two things)
nisi if not, unless, except
nolo, nolle, nolui, -, to be unwilling, not to wish
nomen, nominis (m.) name
non not
Norwic’ Norwich
nos, nostrum (pron.) we
nosco, noscere, novi, notum (3) to know, get to know
noster, nostra, nostrum our
November, Novembris (m.) November
novus, -a, -um (adj.) new
nullus, -a, -um (adj.) no, none
numero, numerare, numeravi, numeratum (1) to count
nuper (adv.) recently, lately; formerly
O
obedio, obedire, obedii or obedivi, obeditum (4) to obey
obeo, obire, obii, obitum (4) to die
obligo, obligare, obligavi, obligatum (1) to oblige; bind
obviam (adv.) towards, to meet; on the way
occasiono, occasionare, occasionavi, occasionatum (1) to cause, occasion, interfere with
occido, occidere, occidi, occisum (3) to kill
occupo, occupare, occupavi, occupatum (1) to occupy
octavus, -a, -um eighth
October, Octobris (m.) October
offero, offerre, obtuli, oblatum (3) to offer
officiarius, -ii (m.) official
officium, -ii (n.) office
omnimodus, -a, -um of every kind
omnipotens, -entis omnipotent, all powerful
omnis, -e (adj.) all, every
onero, onerare, oneravi, oneratum (1) to load, burden
optineo, optinere, optinui, optentum (2) to obtain
ordino, ordinare, ordinavi, ordinatum (1) to ordain, appoint
ordior, ordiri, orsus sum (4, depon.) to begin
orior, oriri, ortus sum (4, depon.) to rise
ostendo, ostendere, ostendi, ostensum (3) to show
ovis, ovis (f., gen. pl. ovium) sheep
P
paro, parare, paravi, paratum (1) to prepare
pars, partis (f.) part, party
parvus, -a, -um small
pastura, -e (f.) pasture
patens, patentis open, patent
pateo, patere, patui, -, to be open, be clear
pater, patris (m.) father
pax, pacis (f.) peace
pecunia, -e (f.) money
penitencia, -e (f.) penance
per (prep. with accusative) through, by, per
per presentes by these present documents
perdono, perdonare, perdonavi, perdonatum (1) to pardon
permaneo, permanere, permansi, permansum (2) to endure
permissio, -ionis (f.) permission
perpetuus, -a, -um (adj.) perpetual
perquiro, perquirere, perquisivi, perquisitum (3) to purchase, acquire
pertinencia, -e (f.) appurtenance
pertineo, pertinere, pertinui, -, (2) to pertain
pervenio, pervenire, perveni, perventum (3) to reach, come to
peto, petere, petivi or petii, petitum (3) to seek
Petrus, -i (m.) Peter
pietas, pietatis (f.) piety
pixis, pixidis (f) small box, casket
placeo, placere, placui, placitum (2) to please
placitum, -i (n.) plea
plenarie (adv.) fully
plene (adv.) fully
plenus, -a, -um (adj.) full
plus, pluris (adj.) more
poculenta, -orum (n. pl.) drink(s)
pono, ponere, posui, positum (3) to place
possideo, possidere, possedi, possessum (2) to possess
possum, posse, potui, -, to be able to
post (prep. with acc.) after
postea afterwards
posterum later, afterwards
potior, potiri, potitus sum (4, depon.with object in ablative) to gain mastery of
prebeo, prebere, prebui, prebitum (2) to offer
precipio, precipere, precepi, preceptum (3) to order
precipuus, -a, -um (adj.) main, principal
precium, precii (n.) price, value
preda, -e (f.) booty
predecessor, -oris (m.) predecessor, ancestor
predico, predicare, predicavi, predicatum (1) to say beforehand
predictus, -a, -um (adj.) aforesaid
prefatus, -a, -um (adj.) aforesaid
preiudicium, -ii (n.) prejudice
premissa, premissorum (n. pl.) premises, things mentioned before
preparo, preparare, preparavi, preparatum (1) to prepare
presens, presentis (adj.) present
presentes, -ium (f. pl.) presents, present documents
presento, presentare, presentavi, presentatum (1) to present, make a presentation
preter (adv. and prep. with acc.) except, besides, beyond
preterea moreover
pretium, pretii (n.) price, value
primus, -a, -um (adj.) first
princeps, principis (m.) leader
prior, prioris (m.) prior
prisona, -e (f.) prison
pro (prep. with abl.) for, on behalf of
probus, -a, -um upright
procreo, procreare, procreavi, procreatus (1) to beget
proficuum, -ii (n.) profit
prohibeo, prohibere, prohibui, prohibitum (2) to forbid, prohibit
proprietarius, -ii (m.) owner
prout just as
proximus, -a, -um (adj.) next
Q
qualitercumque howsoever
quamdiu so long as
quandocumque whenever
quantitas, quantitatis (f.) quantity
queror, queri, questus sum (3) to complain
qui, quae, quod who, which, what
quicumque, quecumque, quodcumque (pron.) whosoever, whatsoever
quidam, quedam, quoddam a certain person or thing
quietaclamatio, -ionis (f.) quitclaim
quietumclamo, quietumclamare, quietumclamavi, quietumclamatum (1) to quitclaim
quilibet, quelibet, quodlibet anyone or anything you like, anyone or anything at all
quinque five
quisque, queque, quidque each one or thing
quivis, quevis, quodvis anyone you like, anyone, anything
quoad as regards, as long as, as far as
quocumque whithersoever
quod that
quondam (adv.) formerly
quousque until
R
Rannulfus, -i (m.) Rannulf
ratifico, ratificare, ratificavi, ratificatum (1) to ratify
ratio, rationis (f.) reason
rationabiliter regularly, in due form
ratus, -a, -um (adj.) right, valid
recedo, recedere, recessi, recessum (3) to withdraw
recipio, recipere, recepi, receptum (3) to receive
recito, recitare, recitavi, recitatum (1) to recite
reclamo, reclamare, reclamavi, reclamatum (1) to reclaim
recognicio, -ionis (f.) acknowledgement
recognosco, recognoscere, recognovi, recognitum (3) to recognise, acknowledge
rectus, -a, -um (adj.) right
recupero, recuperare, recuperavi, recuperatum (1) to recover
recuso, recusare, recusavi, recusatum (1) to refuse, reject
redditus, -us (m.) rent
reddo, reddere, reddidi, redditum (3) to give back, pay
refero, referre, retuli, relatum (3) to report, relate
regnum, -i (n.) kingdom
rego, regere, rexi, rectum (3) to rule
relatio, relationis (f) a report
relinquo, relinquere, reliqui, relictum (3) to leave
remaneo, remanere, remansi, remansum (2) to remain
remissio, -ionis (f.) remission
renovo, renovare, renovavi, renovatum (1) to renew
reparo, reparare, reparavi, reparatum (1) to repair
repello, repellere, reppuli, repulsum (3) to repel
reperio, reperire, repperi, repertum (4) to find
reputo, reputare, reputavi, reputatum (1) to consider
res, rei (f.) thing, matter
residuum, residui (n.) residue, rest
respondeo, respondere, respondi, responsum (2) to answer
retineo, retinere, retinui, retentum (2) to retain
rex, regis (m.) king
Ricardus, -i (m.) Richard
Robertus, -i (m.) Robert
Rogerus, -i (m.) Roger
S
saccarum, -i (n.) sugar
sacramentum, -i (n.) oath
salus, salutis (f.) salvation, safety, greeting
sanctus, -a, -um (adj.) holy, saint
sanus, -a, -um (adj.) sane, healthy
Sarum Salisbury
satisfacio, satisfacere, satisfeci, satisfactum (3) to satisfy, make satisfaction
scilicet (adv.) namely, clearly
scio, scire, scivi, scitum (4) to know
scriptum, -i (n.) writing
seco, secare, secui, sectum (1) to cut
secundus, -a, -um (adj.) second
securitas, securitatis (f.) security
sed or set but
sempiternus, -a, -um (adj.) everlasting, eternal
senior, senioris elder
separatio, -ionis (f.) separation
separo, separare, separavi, separatum (1) to separate, divide
sepe often
sepelio, sepelire, sepelivi or sepelii, sepultum (4) to bury
septem seven
septimus, -a, -um (adj.) seventh
septuaginta seventy
sequens, sequentis following
sequor, sequi, secutus sum (3, depon.) to follow
servicium, -ii (n.) service
servio, servire, servii or servivi, servitum (4) to serve (with dative)
servitus, -utis (f.) slavery
sessio, sessionis (f.) session
seu or
sexaginta sixty
si if
sic thus, so, in this way
sicut just as, as
sigillo, sigillare, sigillavi, sigillatum (1) to seal
sigillum, -i (n.) seal
Simo, Simonis (m.) Simon
singuli, singule, singula (adj. pl) each separate one, every single one, singular
sive or soleo, solere, solitus sum (2, semi-depon.) to be accustomed
solidata, -e (f.) a shilling’s worth
solidus, -i (m.) shilling
solus -a, -um (adj.) sole
solutio, solutionis (f.) payment
solvo, solvere, solvi, solutum (3) to pay
specialis, -e (adj.) special
specifico, specificare, specificavi, specificatum (1) to specify
statutum, -i (n.) statute
sterlingi, -orum (m. pl.) sterlings
sto, stare, steti, statum (1) to stand
successor, -oris (m.) successor
sufficiens, sufficientis sufficient, adequate
sufficienter sufficiently
sum, esse, fui, -, to be
summoneo, summonere, summonui, summonitum (2) to summon
summonitio, summonitionis (f.) summons
super (prep. with acc. and abl.) upon, above, on, against
superius (adv.) above
supervivo, supervivere, supervixi, -, (3) to survive
supranominatus, -a, -um (adj.) above-named
suus, -a, -um his, her, its, their
Swithinus, -i (m.) Swithin
T
tam … quam both … and
tantus, -a, -um (adj.) such, so great
tempus, temporis (n.) time
tenementum, -i (n.) tenement
tenens, tenentis (m., f., gen. pl. -ium) tenant
teneo, tenere, tenui, tentum (2) to hold
tenor, tenoris (m.) tenor, contents
terminum, -i (n.) term, end
terra, -e (f.) land
testamentum, -i (n.) testament, will
testimonium, -ii (n.) testimony
testis, testis (m., f., gen. pl. -ium) witness
testor, testari, testatus sum (1, depon.) to witness
Thomas, Thome (m.) Thomas
totus, -a, -um whole
trado, tradere, tradidi, traditum (3) to hand over
tres, tria three
tunc then
tuus, tua, tuum your, yours (singular)
U
ullus, -a, -um (adj.) any
ulterius furthermore
ultimus, -a, -um (adj.) last
unde whereupon, whereof, in respect whereof
universus, -a, -um (adj.) the whole, all
unus, -a, -um (adj.) one
usque as far as, until, up to
ut (adv. and conj.) that, so that, in order that, as
uter, utra, utrum which (of two things)
uterque, utraque, utrumque each of two
utor, uti, usus sum (3, depon.) to use (with abl.)
uxor, uxoris (f.) wife
V
vacca, -e (f.) cow
vel or
vendico, vendicare, vendicavi, vendicatum (1) to claim
vendo, vendere, vendidi, venditum (3) to sell
venio, venire, veni, ventum (4) to come
vereor, vereri, veritus sum (2, depon.) to fear
veritas, veritatis (f.) truth
vero indeed
versus against
vester, vestra, vestrum your, yours (plural)
vexo, vexare, vexavi, vexatum (1) to trouble
via, -e (f.) path, road, way
vicecomes, vicecomitis (m.) sheriff, reeve
video, videre, vidi, visum (2) to see
vigilia, -e (f.) eve, vigil
viginti twenty
villa, -e (f.) town, village
villenagium, -ii (n.) villein
virgo, virginis (f.) virgin, maiden
virtus, virtutis (f.) virtue
visus, -us (m.) view
vivo, vivere, vixi, victum (3) to live
voco, vocare, vocavi, vocatum (1) to call
volo, velle, volui, -, to wish, be willing
voluntas, voluntatis (f.) will
vos, vestrum (pron.) you (plural)
W – Z
Walterus, -i (m.) Walter
warantia, -e (f.) warrant, warranty
warantizo, warantizare, warantizavi, warantizatus (1) to warrant
warantum, -i (n.) warranty
warrena, -e (f.) warren
Willelmus, -i (m.) William
Wynton Winchester
It’s guaranteed that you have or will run into some of these Latin terms in anything including the lightest reading. That’s because they’re everywhere. In newspapers, textbooks, manuals, et cetera. They are used in, inter alia, academic writing, text messaging, and, quite extensively, law documents. So, they are, ipso facto, very important to know. Ergo, we thought it’s a good idea to combine these Latin words and phrases in one place and explain what they mean so that when you run into some of them next time, you go like, ha! I have seen this word somewhere and I know what it means. So, let’s get down to it.
1. a priori
A belief or conclusion based on assumptions or reasoning of some sort rather than actual experience or empirical evidence. Before actually encountering, experiencing, or observing a fact.
2. a posteriori.
A fact, belief, or argument that is based on actual experience, experiment, or observation. After the fact.
3. ad astra.
To the stars.
4. ad hoc.
For a particular situation, without planning or consideration of some broader purpose or application.
5. ad hominem.
Directed to a particular person rather than generally, such as an attack on a person rather than a position they are espousing.
6. ad infinitum.
Repeat forever.
7. ad lib
Short for ad libitum. As you desire, at one’s pleasure. To speak or perform without preparation.
8. ad nauseam.
Repetition that has become annoying or tiresome.
9. affidavit.
He has sworn. Sworn statement.
10. alma mater.
Nourishing, kind, bounteous mother. School from which one graduated.
11. alias.
Also known as. Otherwise known as. Less commonly as the proper meaning of at another time, otherwise.
12. alibi.
In another place. Elsewhere. Reason one couldn’t have been in a location where an act was committed.
13. alter ego.
Other self. Another side of oneself.
14. A.D.
short for anno Domini. In the year of our Lord. Number of years since the birth of Jesus Christ.
15. a.m.
Short for ante meridiem. Before midday (noon.) Morning.
16. animus.
Spirit, mind, courage anger. Animosity. Intense opposition and ill will towards something, somebody, or some social group, commonly emotional, passionate, and mean-spirited. Hatred.
17. ante.
Before. Earlier. In a Supreme Court opinion, ante refers to an earlier page of the same opinion.
18. ante bellum.
Before the war.
19. ante mortem.
Before death.
20. bona fide.
Genuine. Real. With no intention to deceive.
21. c. / ca. / or cca.
Short for circa. Around. About. Approximately. Relative to a certain year.
22. carpe diem.
Seize the day or moment. Make the best of the present rather than delay or focus on the future.
23. caveat.
Warning, caution, disclaimer, or stipulation.
24. cf.
Short for confer. Compare to. In reference to, as a comparison.
25. cogito ergo sum.
I think, therefore I am — Descartes.
26. consensus.
Agreement. General or widespread agreement.
27. corpus.
Body, especially of written or textual matter such as books and papers.
28. curriculum.
Race. Course of a race. Path of a race. Subjects comprising a course of academic study.
29. CV
Short for curriculum vitae. The course of one’s life. Resume. List of significant academic and professional accomplishments, achievements, awards, education, and training.
30. de facto.
True or matter of fact as it is, regardless of intent, good reason, authority, or official reason for being such.
31. dictum.
Something said. Noteworthy, authoritative statement or principle. Common wisdom.
32. doctor.
Teacher. Learned person. Doctor.
33. ergo.
Therefore.
34. et al.
Short for et alia (neuter plural) or et alii (masculine plural) or et aliae (feminine plural). And others. And all of the others.
35. etc.
Short for et cetera.
36. e pluribus unum.
— Out of many, one — U.S. motto.
37. ex post.
After.
38. ex post facto.
After the fact.
39. e.g.
Short for exempli gratia. For the sake of example. For example.
40. ibid.
Short for ibidem or ib idem. In the same place. For a citation, indicates that it is from the same place as the preceding citation.
41. id.
short for idem. From the same source. For a citation, indicates that it is from the same source, but not from the same location in that source. In contrast to ibidem (ibid.) which means the same location or place in the same source as the preceding citation.
42. i.e.
Short for id est. That is. In other words.
43. in absentia.
Conducted in the absence of.
44. in camera.
In chambers. In private, commonly for legal proceedings, in the judge’s office (chambers.) before digital photography cameras were little “chambers.”
45. in situ.
In position. In place.
46. in toto.
As a whole. Entirely. All of it.
47. incognito.
Unknown. With one’s identity concealed. This is actually an Italian word, derived from the Latin word incognitus.
48. inter alia.
Among others. Among other things.
49. innuendo.
By nodding. Implied. Indirectly implied. Suggested. Oblique allusion.
50. intra.
Within. In a Supreme Court opinion, refers to a decision of another court, typically an appeals court.
51. ipso facto.
By that very fact or act. Therefore.
51. lingua franca.
Common language in a multi-language environment. Technically, it’s Italian.
52. magnum opus.
Great work. Greatest work. Masterpiece.
53. M.O.
short for modus operandi. Mode or method of operation. How you do things.
54. n.b. or N.B.
short for nota bene. Note well. It is worth noting that.
55. per capita.
Per person, for each person, of a population. Individually, but not for any particular person.
56. per cent.
or percent short for per centum. For each one hundred.
57. per se.
By itself. Intrinsically. Specifically.
58. p.m. / PM
short for post meridiem. After midday (noon.) Afternoon.
59. post.
After. Later. In a Supreme Court opinion, post refers to a later page of the same opinion.
60. post mortem.
After death.
61. prima facie.
On its face. Accepted on its face. Accepted as true based on initial impression. Accepted as true unless proven false.
62. PS.
short for post scriptum. Written after. After what has been written. In addition to what has been written. In addition.
63. quasi.
As if. As though. Resembling. Similar but not quite exactly the same. Having many but not all the features of.
64. quid pro quo.
This for that. An exchange of goods or services. A barter transaction. Any contractual transaction.
65. sic
or [sic]. So, this. The previous word should be taken literally even if it is not correct or appropriate.
66. stat.
or stat short for statim. Immediately. Now. without delay.
67. status quo.
The existing state of affairs. As it is. As things are.
68. stricto sensu
or sensu stricto. In a narrow, tight, or strict sense. Strictly speaking.
69. sui generis.
Of its own kind. Unique. Outside of existing categories. In law, outside of existing law.
70. supra.
Above. From the previous cited source.
71. tabula rasa.
Clean slate. Blank slate. Absence of any preconceived notions, ideas, goals, or purpose.
72. veni, vidi, vici.
I came, I saw, I conquered.
73. verbatim.
The same exact words. Literally.
74. vs.
short for versus. Against. In opposition to. As opposed to. In contrast to.
75. veto.
I forbid. Reject.
76. vice versa.
As well as the two immediately preceding subjects of a statement reversed. The same either way. The other way around.
77. viz.
short for videre licet or videlicet. Namely. That is.
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Слайд 1
LATIN LEGAL WORDS
Moldir Uteshova
Слайд 2
The concept of mens rea, which is Latin for
“guilty mind,” allows the criminal justice system to distinguish
someone who set out with the intention of committing a
crime from someone who did not mean to commit a crime. Mens rea refers to what the accused individual was thinking, and what his intent was at the time the crime was committed. Intent may be anything from a general intention to do something illegal, to a premeditated objective to commit a particular crime.
Это психологическое или психическое состояние преступника на момент совершения преступления. Суть Mens Rea заключается в изучении мыслей подсудимого, то есть того, что подсудимый думал или имел в виду во время совершения преступления. Если обвиняемый был полностью осведомлен или знал о своем правонарушении, устанавливается Mens Rea. Тип ожидаемого психического состояния отличается от преступления к преступлению и обычно определяется в статуте, содержащем такие преступления.
MENS REA
Слайд 3
Mea culpa, which means «through my fault» in Latin,
comes from a prayer of confession in the Catholic
Church. Said by itself, it’s an exclamation of apology or
remorse that is used to mean «It was my fault» or «I apologize.» Mea culpa is also a noun, however. A newspaper might issue a mea culpa for printing inaccurate information, or a politician might give a speech making mea culpas for past wrongdoings. Mea culpa is one of many English terms that derive from the Latin culpa, meaning «guilt.» Some other examples are culpable («meriting condemnation or blame especially as wrong or harmful») and culprit («one guilty of a crime or a fault»).
Mea culpa — это латинское словосочетание, которое означает «по моей вине» и является признанием того, что поступил неправильно . Выражение используется также как признание ошибки, которой следовало избегать, и может сопровождаться нанесением ударов в грудь, как в религиозном контексте.
MEA CULPA
Слайд 4
The Latin term in loco parentis, which means “in
place of a parent,” or “instead of a parent,”
refers to situations in which someone other than a biological
parent takes on the role of parent to a minor child without formally adopting the child. This situation applies to legal guardians, stepparents, grand parents, and other situations in which an individual has taken on parental duties. Such a relationship has unique significance for insurance law, as well as employment and Workers’ Compensation law.
Термин в loco parentis , Latin вместо «in «место родителя» означает юридическую ответственность лица или организации за выполнение некоторых функций и обязанностей родителя . Первоначально полученный от английского общего права , он применяется в двух отдельных областях права.
Во-первых, он позволяет таким учреждениям, как колледжи и школы, действовать в интересах учащихся так, как они считают нужным, хотя и не допускает того, что может считаться нарушением прав учащихся гражданские свободы .
Во-вторых, эта доктрина может предоставить небиологическому родителю законные права и обязанности биологического родителя, если они выступили в качестве родителя.
IN LOCO PARENTIS
Слайд 5
The Latin term ex parte is used in law to
refer to court proceedings for the benefit of one
party to a controversy, without the other being present. This
is an exception to basic court procedure, which requires that both parties be present at any argument or proceeding, and that neither party may have contact with a judge without previously notifying the other party. Ex parte matters usually involve emergency requests, and often result in temporary orders pending a hearing on the matter.
«Со стороны», т. е. с точки зрения одной из сторон, в интересах одной стороны и в ущерб другой, пристрастно, необъективно или пристрастный, необъективный.
EX PARTE
Слайд 6
Pari-passu is a Latin phrase meaning «equal footing»
that describes situations where two or more assets, securities, creditors,
or obligations are equally managed without preference. An example of
pari-passu occurs during bankruptcy proceedings: When the court reaches a verdict, the court regards all creditors equally, and the trustee will repay them the same fractional amount as other creditors
Pari-passu-это латинская фраза, означающая «равное положение», которая описывает ситуации, когда два или более активов, ценных бумаг, кредиторов или обязательств управляются одинаково без каких-либо предпочтений. Пример пари-пассу имеет место во время процедуры банкротства: когда суд выносит вердикт, суд рассматривает всех кредиторов одинаково, и доверительный управляющий выплачивает им ту же дробную сумму, что и другим кредиторам
PARI PASSU
Слайд 7
Quid pro quo is a Latin phrase that literally means “something
for something,” or “this for that.” We use the
phrase to signify an exchange of goods, services, favors, or
any other kind of value. When we’re talking about multiple exchanges, we can say quid pro quos.
Quid pro quo («что-то за что-то» на латыни ) — это латинская фраза, используемая в английском языке для обозначения обмена товарами или услугами, при котором одна передача зависит от другой; «одолжение за услугу» Например, при покупке предмета одежды или галлона молока заранее определенная сумма денег обменивается на продукт, который покупает покупатель; поэтому они что-то получили, но отказались взамен от чего-то равного.
QUID PRO QUO
Слайд 8
Habeas Corpus в переводе с латинского означает: «пусть
ты имеешь тело». Общий смысл этой латинской формулы состоит
в том, что поскольку каждый обладает телом, то все правовые
возможности личности, проистекающие из этого факта, должны признаваться и, очевидно, подлежать юридической (судебной) защите.
Habeas corpus is a legal action in which a prisoner challenges the authority of the jail or prison to continue holding him. This Latin term translates as, “you have the body,” and it allows incarcerated people to seek relief from unlawful confinement. Habeas corpus is a protection against illegal imprisonment, afforded to United States citizens as outlined in the Suspension Clause of the U.S. Constitution.
HABEAS CORPUS
Слайд 9
The Latin term de novo is used in the U.S.
legal system to refer to something that is started
over from the beginning, or from the new. For instance, an
appellate court might review all of the facts of a trial, and order the court to hear the case again – without referring to any of the prior assumptions or conclusions. In other words, the trial must begin again, from the beginning.
Латинский термин de novo используется в правовой системе США для обозначения чего-то, что начинается с самого начала, или из нового. Например, апелляционный суд может рассмотреть все факты судебного разбирательства и приказать суду вновь рассмотреть дело, не ссылаясь ни на какие из предыдущих предположений или выводов. Другими словами, суд должен начинаться заново, с самого начала.
DE NOVO
Слайд 10
Этот латинский термин, предостережение emptor, означает «пусть покупатель остерегайтесь»,
и обычно используется в связи с покупкой недвижимости,или подержанные предметы,
которые не приходят с гарантией. Это предупреждение для покупателей, что
они несут ответственность за убедившись, что имущество или пункт находится в подходящем состоянии, или что она соответствует их потребностям, перед покупкой.
This Latin term, caveat emptor, means “let the buyer beware,” and is commonly used in reference to purchasing real property, or used items that do not come with a warranty. This is a warning to buyers that they are responsible for making sure the property or item is in suitable condition, or that it fits their needs, before buying.
CAVEAT EMPTOR
Слайд 11
Pro bono is short for the Latin phrase pro
bono publico, which means «for the public good.» The term
generally refers to services that are rendered by a professional
for free or at a lower cost. Professionals in many fields offer pro bono services to nonprofit organizations. These organizations include hospitals, universities, national charities, churches, and foundations. It is also possible to do pro bono work for individual clients who cannot afford to pay.
The term pro bono is used primarily in the legal profession. Lawyers who serve the public interest by providing free legal services to those in need do so on a pro bono basis.
«Pro bono» (от лат. pro bono publico «ради общественного блага») — оказание профессиональной помощи благотворительным, общественным и иным некоммерческим организациям на безвозмездной основе.
PRO BONO
Слайд 12
The term de facto translates to mean “in fact.” In
the world of law, if something is de facto, that
means it exists in fact, even if not legally recognized.
For example, de facto corporations may have failed to file all of the necessary paperwork to be legally recognized as corporations, yet have behaved in such a way as to be considered corporations “in fact.”
Термин де-факто переводится как «на самом деле». В мире права, если что-то де-факто,это означает, что она существует на самом деле, даже если юридически не признана. Например, корпорации де-факто, возможно, не подали все необходимые документы, чтобы быть юридически признанными корпорациями, но вели себя таким образом, чтобы считаться корпорациями «на самом деле».
DE FACTO
Слайд 13
The doctrine of res judicata is similar to the criminal law concept
of double jeopardy, but in a civil law setting. Res judicata bars
any party to a civil lawsuit from suing again on the same
claim or issue that has previously been decided by the court. This includes any issue that was heard and decided in the first lawsuit, even if the subsequent lawsuit attempts to state different reasons the party should prevail.
Доктрина res judicata похожа на понятие уголовного права двойной опасности,но в гражданском праве настройки. Res judicata запрещает любой стороне гражданского иска снова судиться по тому же иску или вопросу, который ранее был решен судом. Это включает в себя любой вопрос, который был заслушан и решен в первом иске, даже если последующий иск попытки узнать различные причины партия должна преобладать
RES JUDICATE
Слайд 14
The Latin term stare decisis refers to the doctrine of precedent,
which obliges judges to make certain court decisions according
to previous rulings made by a higher court in the
same type of case. The purpose of stare decisis is to promote consistent, predictable rulings on cases of similar nature. While prior decisions often become precedent in the U.S., adherence is not absolute.
Латинский термин взгляд decisis относится к доктрине прецедента, который обязывает судей принимать определенные судебные решения в соответствии с предыдущими постановлениями, принятых вышестоя гораздо вышестоя лихим судом в том же типе дела. Цель смотреть decisis является содействие последовательной, предсказуемой постановления по делам аналогичного характера. Хотя предыдущие решения часто становятся прецедентом в США, приверженность не является абсолютной.
STARE DECISIS
Слайд 15
The term amicus curiae translates to mean “friend of the
court.” For example, amicus curiae briefs filed by the American Civil Liberties Union
(ACLU) have “amicus curiae” printed on them. What this means
is that the ACLU is not a party to the case, but simply wants to provide information or expertise to the court to help shed light on the issues at hand.
Термин amicus curiae переводится как «друг суда». Например, amicus curiae записки, поданные Американского союза гражданских свобод (ACLU) имеют «amicus curiae» напечатаны на них. Это означает, что ACLU не является стороной в деле, а просто хочет предоставить информацию или экспертизу суду, чтобы помочь пролить свет на стоящие перед ней вопросы. В то время как amicus curiae переводится как «друг суда», он относится к лицу или стороне, которая предоставляет экспертную информацию суду по вопросу о конкретном случае в суде. История amicus curiae доказывает, что это происходит почти исключительно в делах Верховного суда. В таком случае Суд должен разрешить лицу или группе лиц, которые не являются стороной в деле, консультировать суд.
AMICUS CURIAE
Слайд 16
The Latin term prima facie means “at first glance,” or
“at first appearance,” and it is generally used to
describe how a situation appears on initial observation. In the
legal system, prima facie is commonly used to refer to either a piece of evidence which is presumed to be true when first viewed, or a legal claim in which enough evidence is presented to support the validity of the claim.
Латинский термин prima facie означает «на первый взгляд» или «на первый взгляд», и обычно используется для описания того, как ситуация появляется при первоначальном наблюдении. В правовой системе prima facie обычно используется для обозначения либо части доказательств, которая считается достоверной при первом просмотре, либо юридической претензии, в которой представлено достаточно доказательств в поддержку обоснованности претензии.
PRIMA FACIE
Слайд 17
The Latin term res ipsa loquitur translates to “the thing
speaks for itself,” and is used in the U.S.
legal system to refer to a doctrine of law in
which an individual is assumed to have been negligent because he had exclusive control over the incident that caused the injury or damages. This assumption may be made even without specific evidence of negligence, as the accident, injury, or damages would not have occurred in the absence of negligence.
Латинский термин res ipsa loquitur переводится как «вещь говорит сама за себя», и используется в правовой системе США для обозначения доктрины права, в которой человек, как предполагается, был небрежным, потому что он имел исключительный контроль над инцидентом, который причинил ущерб или ущерб. Это предположение может быть сделано даже без конкретных доказательств халатности, так как авария, травмы или повреждения не имели бы место в отсутствие халатности.
RES ISPA LOQUITUR
Слайд 18
The term “bona fide” is used to describe
something that is presented as authentic or real. For
example, a bona fide purchaser is someone who has no
reason to raise suspicions that he should not be allowed to purchase a parcel of property. It also speaks to innocence on the purchaser’s part that he has not done anything to cause anyone to believe that he should be considered anything other than a legitimate purchaser.
Термин «добросовестный» используется для описания чего-то, что представлено как подлинное или реальное. Например, добросовестным покупателем является тот, у кого нет оснований для подозрений в том, что ему не следует разрешать приобретать участок недвижимости. Это также говорит о невиновности со стороны покупателя, что он не сделал ничего, чтобы заставить кого-либо поверить, что он должен рассматриваться ничего, кроме законного покупателя.
BONA FIDE
Слайд 19
An ex post facto law (corrupted from Latin: ex postfacto, lit. ’out of the aftermath’)
is a law that retroactively changes the legal consequences (or status)
of actions that were committed, or relationships that existed, before
the enactment of the law. In criminal law, it may criminalize actions that were legal when committed; it may aggravate a crime by bringing it into a more severe category than it was in when it was committed; it may change the punishment prescribed for a crime, as by adding new penalties or extending sentences; or it may alter the rules of evidence in order to make conviction for a crime likelier than it would have been when the deed was committed.
Бывший закон постфакта (коррумпированный с латинского: ex postfacto, освещенный.’из последствий’) является законом, который задним числом изменяет правовые последствия (или статус) действий, которые были совершены, или отношений, которые существовали, до принятия закона. В уголовном праве он может криминализировать действия, которые были законными при совершении; оно может усугубить преступление, переведя его в более тяжелую категорию, чем в случае его совершения; оно может изменить наказаниe предусмотренное за преступление, как путем добавления новых наказаний или продления сроков наказания; или это может изменить правила доказательства, с тем чтобы вынести обвинительный приговор за преступление, подобное тому, которое было бы, когда было совершено деятель.
EX POST FACTO
Слайд 20
De minimis is a Latin expression meaning «about minimal things», normally in the
terms de minimis non curat praetor («The praetor does not concern
himself with trifles») or de minimis non curat lex («The law does
not concern itself with trifles»), a legal doctrine by which a court refuses to consider trifling matters.
Латинская фраза: «о минимальных вещах»
De minimis — это латинское выражение, означающее «о минимальных вещах», обычно в терминах de minimis non curat praetor («претор не заботится о пустяках») или de minimis non curat lex («Закон не касается себя с мелочами «), юридическая доктрина, согласно которой суд отказывается рассматривать пустяки.Википедия site:wikichi.ru
DE MINIMIS
A language, like a person, can be open-minded and flexible, conservative and closed, and even dead, like Latin. For centuries, there has been no one who can say Latin is his or her mother tongue. However, many speak it, including each of us.
Latin accompanies us everywhere. We bear Latin names: Barbara means a foreign woman, Anthony stands for the priceless one, Victor is a winner, and Chester indicates a fortress. All our months have Latin names. Latin is the language of ancient philosophers and poets.
It was also an international language for European scientists, especially for linguists, physicists, and biologists. This is why today you can easily come across some Latin words and abbreviations in documents, instructions, scientific articles, and even in fiction.
Everyone will understand you if you say a.m. and p.m. Just don’t add that this means “ante meridian” and “post meridian.” P.S. which is “post scriptum” (after what has been said) and CV which is “curriculum vitae” (story of one’s life) are as widespread as the most common English words nowadays. But what about the rest of the letters and dots that are put together which seems to have no logic at all? Fortunately, the list of Latin abbreviations commonly used in ordinary life is not that long.
45 common Latin abbreviations and their meanings
You must have read these top 3 abbreviations thousands of times :
- i.e. = id est = that is
- e.g. = exempli = for example
- etc. = etcetera = and so on
The rest might be a surprise for you:
- a. = annus, anno = year
- a. = antem = before
- abamic. = ab amico = from a friend (used in correspondence)
- abinit. = ab inito = at first
- absque. = absque = without
- a.c. = anni currentis = this year
- acc. = acceptum = received
- acq., acqu. = acquisitum, acquisitio = purchased
- a d. = a dato = from the date of (signature)
- adnot. = adnotavit = a mark, marked
- ad fin. = ad finem = to the end
- adint = ad interim = previously
- ad. lib. = ad libitum = optional
- a. f. = anni futuri = next year
- a m.c. = a mundo condito = on creation (of the world)
- a.p. = anno passato = last year
- b.f. = bona fide = honestly, with no fraudulent intention
- c., ca. = circa = approximetely
- cf., cfr. = conferatur = compare
- c.l. = citato loco = in the above mentioned location
- cor. cor. impr. = correctis, corrigendis, imprimatur = correct, rectify, print
- etal. = et alii = and the others
- et pass. = et passim = and the following, and in the following
- et seq. = et sequence = and the next (used as a reference to the next page, chapter, etc.)
- fec. = fecit = made by (used by artists)
- h.e. = hoc est = that is to say, this means
- ib., ibid. = ibidem = the same, in the same place (to make a reference to the source which was used previously)
- i.a. = inter alia = among the others
- i.q. = idem quod = the same way as
- loc. cit. = loco citato = in the place cited
- L.S. = locus sigilli = place of print
- N.B. = Nota Bene = pay attention
- op.cit. = opus citatum = a reference to a source that was used before the last one (used when ibid. Can’t be used)
- p.a., per an. = per annum = yearly, every year
- pro tem. = pro tempore = for some time, temporary
- Q.E.D. = quod erat demonstrandum = what was to be shown
- qs = quantum sufficit = any amount that is necessary
- q.v. = quod vide = look there
- sl. = sine loco = with no place indication
- v., vs. = versus = against
- viz. = videlicet = namely (used to give more details on a topic)
- v.v. = vice versa = with the order reversed
Along with theseabbreviations, there are some Latin words and phrases commonly used in business and science, e.g.:
- Ad hoc refers to something that is specifically designed or arranged for a given occasion. It is used in a business context and determines meetings and conferences.
- Verbatim means “literally” and is commonly used in reports and quotations.
- Modus operandi is used to describe a person’s method of work.
- Sic is a Latin word that is translated as “so” or “thus.”
- De jure stands for “according to the law.”
- De facto is “true according to facts.”
- Ergo is “therefore.” Use it whenever you want to seem smart.
- Vis major indicates an act of God that is under a person’s or company’s influence.
Latin abbreviations used in specific fields
Every classic academic discipline uses a list of Latin abbreviations of its own: law, medicine, botanic, and biology manuals are lined with Latinisms.
Latin abbreviations in history
- a. u. (c.) = anno urbis (conditae) = after Rome’s foundation
- SPQR = Senatus Populus que Romanus = Senate and the citizens of Rome (inscription on the standards of the Roman legions)
Latin abbreviations in religious studies
- a. Chr. = ante Christum = B.C. (before Christ)
- A.D. = anno Domini = in the summer of God, in the year when Christ was born
- AMDG = ad majorem Dei gloriam = for the greater glory of God
- a. p. C. = anno post Christum = the year after Christ’s birth
Latin abbreviations in medicine (to name a few)
- M.D.S. = Misce. Da. Signa. = Mix. Give. Mark.
- q. s. = quantum satis = when it is necessary, as much as necessary
- Mm. = musculi = muscles
- t.i.d. = ter in die = three times per day
Latin abbreviations in law (just a couple)
- corp. del. = corpus delicti = physical evidence, main evidence
- e. o. = ex officio = on duty
- F. fa., fi. fa. = fieri facias = is translated as “face of the card that is in flame” and stands for writ of execution
These words, letters, and dots are a part of the professional vocabulary of medical doctors, lawyers, chemists, and many others. And the list we present to you is not even close to being full.
However, there is one thing we can recommend to you concerning the use of abbreviations, including Latin ones. Explain them in brackets when you use them for the first time to make sure your reader will understand you. After all, this is what we seek when we use dfferent methods and ways of communication—to be understood.