Ab initio: From the beginning
Actus reus: The guilty act; the physical element of a crime
Mens rea: The guilty mind; the mental element of a crime
Ad hoc: For this particular purpose
Ad litem: For the lawsuit; as in guardian ad litem
Alibi: Elsewhere; proof of being somewhere else
Amicus curiae: Friend of the court
Animus: Intent or mental purpose
Bona fide: In good faith; genuine
Caveat emptor: Let the buyer beware
Certiorari: A writ by which a higher court agrees to review a case
Corpus delicti: The body of the crime; proof a crime occurred
Cui bono: For whose benefit
De facto: In fact; in practice
De jure: By law; officially
De novo: Anew; starting fresh
Dicta: Remarks in a ruling not essential to the decision
Duces tecum: Bring with you; a subpoena for documents
Ex parte: From one side only
Ex post facto: After the fact; as in laws that punish past acts
Ex rel.: On the relation of; on behalf of
Forum non conveniens: Doctrine allowing a court to decline a case better heard elsewhere
Habeas corpus: You have the body; a writ to challenge unlawful detention
Ibid.: In the same place; same source as before
In camera: In private, in the judge's chambers
In loco parentis: In place of a parent
In re: In the matter of
In rem: Against a thing, not a person
In personam: Against a person
Inter alia: Among other things
Ipso facto: By the fact itself
Jus: Law or right
Lex loci: Law of the place
Locus standi: The right to bring a case
Mala fide: In bad faith
Mala in se: Wrong in themselves; inherently wrong acts
Mala prohibita: Wrong because prohibited by law
Nolo contendere: I do not wish to contest; a no-contest plea
Non compos mentis: Not of sound mind
Obiter dictum: A remark by the way; a judge's non-binding comment
Per curiam: By the court; an opinion by the court as a whole
Per diem: By the day
Per se: In itself; by itself
Persona non grata: An unwelcome person
Prima facie: At first glance; enough evidence unless rebutted
Pro bono publico: For the public good
Pro forma: As a matter of form
Pro rata: In proportion
Pro se: For oneself; representing oneself
Quantum meruit: As much as deserved; reasonable payment for services
Quid pro quo: Something for something; an exchange
Quo warranto: By what authority; a challenge to someone's right to hold office
Res ipsa loquitur: The thing speaks for itself
Res judicata: A matter already decided and not to be tried again
Respondeat superior: Let the master answer; employer responsible for employee acts
Sine die: Without a day; adjourned with no date to meet again
Sine qua non: Without which it cannot be; an essential condition
Stare decisis: To stand by decided things; follow precedent
Sub judice: Under judicial consideration
Sub poena: Under penalty
Sua sponte: On its own accord; a court acting without a request
Ultra vires: Beyond the powers; outside legal authority
Vel non: Or not
Verbatim: Word for word
Versus (v.): Against
Vice versa: The other way around
Voir dire: To speak the truth; questioning of potential jurors
Habeas data: A right to access one's personal records
Pendente lite: While the lawsuit is pending
Nunc pro tunc: Now for then; applying a ruling retroactively
Lis pendens: A pending lawsuit about property
Pari passu: On equal footing
Ratio decidendi: The reason for the decision
Rex: King; the Crown as prosecutor in some systems
Stare decisis et non quieta movere: Stand by decisions and do not disturb settled matters
Affidavit: He has sworn; a sworn written statement
Corpus juris: The body of law
Casus belli: An event that justifies war
Fiat: Let it be done; an authoritative order
Innuendo: By hinting; an indirect suggestion
Alias: Otherwise; another name
Bonum: Good
Consensus ad idem: Agreement on the same thing; meeting of the minds
Volenti non fit injuria: No wrong is done to a willing person
Nemo dat: No one gives what they do not have
Pacta sunt servanda: Agreements must be kept
Audi alteram partem: Hear the other side
Nulla poena sine lege: No punishment without law
Ignorantia juris non excusat: Ignorance of the law is no excuse
Dura lex, sed lex: The law is harsh, but it is the law
Fiat justitia: Let justice be done

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