Latin Legal Phrases and Expressions

Words such as legal (from lex, "law") as well as judge (from iudex, "judge") came indirectly throughFrench, subsequent the Norman Conquest. This Latin legal phrase spills over directly into additionalargumentative fields like philosophy as well as logic.

Knowing these terms along with concepts is beneficial for anyone which might find him- or herselfbefore the courts, just as health-related as well as literary Latin phrases could can become found inhandy in every day life. E.C. Acuff-Rose Music, Inc. An ex parte conversation, therefore, mightconsist of merely the plaintiff inside a case, although not your defendant.

nolo contendere: literally, "I am not willing to dispute," this is a formal declaration that anydefendant does not wish in order to contest the charges.

amicus curiae: a "friend in the court" can end up being a person or even group which includes astake throughout a concern in the case, nevertheless is not straight involved because case. That willcome in the phrase subpoena duces tecum, meaning "under penalty an individual shall bring (thepapers, etc.) using you."

While "law" comes from your Previous Norselag, many English phrases regarding regulationsoriginate from Latin. Yet additional legal phrases come down unchanged coming from Romanjurisprudence. a prima facie case is a where there will be certainly enough evidence for you to justifyproceeding to always be able to trial.

mens rea: this means "the criminal mind," or even criminal intent. (1993), getting been sued onsimilar grounds inside Berlin v. It's one of the fundamental criteria for criminal guilt, in supplementto actus reus, or perhaps "the criminal deed."

Latin Legal Phrases Widespread about Courtroom Dramas

ex parte: this means "by (or for) 1 party," as well as on the single aspect only. Such as party couldfile an "amicus brief." for instance, Mad Journal filed an amicus brief inside the copyright case

Campbell v. Here are a number of the most common:

nunc pro tunc: actually "now pertaining to then," this is legalese with regard to something thatoffers retroactive effect.

inter vivos: this implies "among the living," and may refer to a gift produced during an individual'slifetime, as opposed to one made through any will.

inter se: this phrase, meaning "between each other," describes a relationship between partners.

prima facie: this Latin legal phrase means "at very first face," or, a lot more colloquially, around thedeal with of it. That is also sometimes shortened to vs.

pro bono: a lawyer which works "for the actual (public) good," because this phrase means, can beunderstood as doing function for free.

res judicata: what this means is "a factor adjudged," or even a legal issue that will has already beendecided.

sua sponte: something completed sua sponte is done voluntarily, or perhaps "by one's own accord."

Other Latin Legal Phrases

res ipsa loquitur: "the thing speaks for itself," or, a lot more loosely, the fact is self-evident.Publications (1964).

habeas corpus: this actually implies "you might possess the body." a writ associated with habeascorpus demands that will the individual become bodily presented, so as for you to release him aswell as your ex from imprisonment or perhaps restraint which is unlawful.

Latin Legal Phrases used throughout Criminal Law

The Use regarding Latin Legal Phrases inside Every Day Life

ultra vires: this concept implies that the motion will be "beyond the particular powers" regardingsome thing as defined by means of a charter or perhaps constitution.

in pari delicto: this concept, roughly meaning "in equal fault," identifies parties that are equallyculpable or even criminal.

corpus delicti: meaning "the physique in the crime," this concept doesn't always refer to any murdervictim's corpse (though it can); it means just about any proof which the crime continues to becommitted, which usually must be current just before just about any conviction pertaining to whichcrime.

v.: This particular holders with regard to versus, or even "against," an abbreviation found justthroughout case names.

subpoena: what this means is "under penalty" as well as "on pain (of ...)." That is a method by simplywhich in turn a court compels somebody possibly for you to create papers as well as documents asevidence, or to appear to testify. Also those that avoid brushes with the law will discover Latin legalphrases useful, if simply to much better realize arguments made in TV shows such as Law & Order.