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Latin Legal Phrases

Latin phrases still used in courts and legal writing.

91 cardsCollege, Adult#law#latin

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91 cards
  • Ab initioPhrase
    From the beginning
  • Actus reusPhrase
    The guilty act; the physical element of a crime
  • Mens reaPhrase
    The guilty mind; the mental element of a crime
  • Ad hocPhrase
    For this particular purpose
  • Ad litemPhrase
    For the lawsuit; as in guardian ad litem
  • AlibiPhrase
    Elsewhere; proof of being somewhere else
  • Amicus curiaePhrase
    Friend of the court
  • AnimusPhrase
    Intent or mental purpose
  • Bona fidePhrase
    In good faith; genuine
  • Caveat emptorPhrase
    Let the buyer beware
  • CertiorariPhrase
    A writ by which a higher court agrees to review a case
  • Corpus delictiPhrase
    The body of the crime; proof a crime occurred
  • Cui bonoPhrase
    For whose benefit
  • De factoPhrase
    In fact; in practice
  • De jurePhrase
    By law; officially
  • De novoPhrase
    Anew; starting fresh
  • DictaPhrase
    Remarks in a ruling not essential to the decision
  • Duces tecumPhrase
    Bring with you; a subpoena for documents
  • Ex partePhrase
    From one side only
  • Ex post factoPhrase
    After the fact; as in laws that punish past acts
  • Ex rel.Phrase
    On the relation of; on behalf of
  • Forum non conveniensPhrase
    Doctrine allowing a court to decline a case better heard elsewhere
  • Habeas corpusPhrase
    You have the body; a writ to challenge unlawful detention
  • Ibid.Phrase
    In the same place; same source as before
  • In cameraPhrase
    In private, in the judge's chambers
  • In loco parentisPhrase
    In place of a parent
  • In rePhrase
    In the matter of
  • In remPhrase
    Against a thing, not a person
  • In personamPhrase
    Against a person
  • Inter aliaPhrase
    Among other things
  • Ipso factoPhrase
    By the fact itself
  • JusPhrase
    Law or right
  • Lex lociPhrase
    Law of the place
  • Locus standiPhrase
    The right to bring a case
  • Mala fidePhrase
    In bad faith
  • Mala in sePhrase
    Wrong in themselves; inherently wrong acts
  • Mala prohibitaPhrase
    Wrong because prohibited by law
  • Nolo contenderePhrase
    I do not wish to contest; a no-contest plea
  • Non compos mentisPhrase
    Not of sound mind
  • Obiter dictumPhrase
    A remark by the way; a judge's non-binding comment
  • Per curiamPhrase
    By the court; an opinion by the court as a whole
  • Per diemPhrase
    By the day
  • Per sePhrase
    In itself; by itself
  • Persona non grataPhrase
    An unwelcome person
  • Prima faciePhrase
    At first glance; enough evidence unless rebutted
  • Pro bono publicoPhrase
    For the public good
  • Pro formaPhrase
    As a matter of form
  • Pro rataPhrase
    In proportion
  • Pro sePhrase
    For oneself; representing oneself
  • Quantum meruitPhrase
    As much as deserved; reasonable payment for services
  • Quid pro quoPhrase
    Something for something; an exchange
  • Quo warrantoPhrase
    By what authority; a challenge to someone's right to hold office
  • Res ipsa loquiturPhrase
    The thing speaks for itself
  • Res judicataPhrase
    A matter already decided and not to be tried again
  • Respondeat superiorPhrase
    Let the master answer; employer responsible for employee acts
  • Sine diePhrase
    Without a day; adjourned with no date to meet again
  • Sine qua nonPhrase
    Without which it cannot be; an essential condition
  • Stare decisisPhrase
    To stand by decided things; follow precedent
  • Sub judicePhrase
    Under judicial consideration
  • Sub poenaPhrase
    Under penalty
  • Sua spontePhrase
    On its own accord; a court acting without a request
  • Ultra viresPhrase
    Beyond the powers; outside legal authority
  • Vel nonPhrase
    Or not
  • VerbatimPhrase
    Word for word
  • Versus (v.)Phrase
    Against
  • Vice versaPhrase
    The other way around
  • Voir direPhrase
    To speak the truth; questioning of potential jurors
  • Habeas dataPhrase
    A right to access one's personal records
  • Pendente litePhrase
    While the lawsuit is pending
  • Nunc pro tuncPhrase
    Now for then; applying a ruling retroactively
  • Lis pendensPhrase
    A pending lawsuit about property
  • Pari passuPhrase
    On equal footing
  • Ratio decidendiPhrase
    The reason for the decision
  • RexPhrase
    King; the Crown as prosecutor in some systems
  • Stare decisis et non quieta moverePhrase
    Stand by decisions and do not disturb settled matters
  • AffidavitPhrase
    He has sworn; a sworn written statement
  • Corpus jurisPhrase
    The body of law
  • Casus belliPhrase
    An event that justifies war
  • FiatPhrase
    Let it be done; an authoritative order
  • InnuendoPhrase
    By hinting; an indirect suggestion
  • AliasPhrase
    Otherwise; another name
  • BonumPhrase
    Good
  • Consensus ad idemPhrase
    Agreement on the same thing; meeting of the minds
  • Volenti non fit injuriaPhrase
    No wrong is done to a willing person
  • Nemo datPhrase
    No one gives what they do not have
  • Pacta sunt servandaPhrase
    Agreements must be kept
  • Audi alteram partemPhrase
    Hear the other side
  • Nulla poena sine legePhrase
    No punishment without law
  • Ignorantia juris non excusatPhrase
    Ignorance of the law is no excuse
  • Dura lex, sed lexPhrase
    The law is harsh, but it is the law
  • Fiat justitiaPhrase
    Let justice be done

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