Glossary of Latin Legal Terminology
- Ab Initio: From the beginning.
- Actus Reus: An act forbidden by criminal law.
- Ad Hoc: For this purpose.
- Ad Litem: Referring to the case at law.
- Affidavit: A witnessed, signed statement.
- Bona Fide: In good faith.
- Bona Vacantia: With no owner.
- Caveat: A warning.
- Caveat Emptor: The buyer is responsible for checking a purchase.
- Consensus Ad Idem: A real agreement to a contract by both parties.
- Corpus Delicti: The real proof a crime was committed.
- De Facto: Taken as a matter of fact, even though the legal status may not be certain; in fact.
- De Jure: A situation where the legal title is clear.
- De Novo: Starting again.
- Doli Capax / Doli Incapax: Capable or incapable of committing a crime.
- Et Alii: And others.
- Ex Gratia: A gift or money with no obligations attached.
- Ex Parte: A legal action or application pursued by one party only.
- Ex Post Facto: After the event.
- Habeas Corpus: A legal remedy against wrongful imprisonment.
- Id Est: That is.
- In Camera: Hearing a case in private.
- In Curia: In open court.
- In Flagrante Delicto: Caught in the act of committing a crime.
- In Loco Parentis: Acting in place of a parent.
- In Personam: A legal action against a person.
- In Rem: Against a thing.
- In Situ: In the original situation.
- Inter Alia: Among or in addition to other things.
- In Terrorem: When a threat is implied in a contract, and as a result, the contract is invalid.
- Ipso Facto: By this fact, or the fact itself shows to be true.
- Ipso Jure: By the operation of the law.
- Locus Standi: The right to be heard in a court.
- Mala In Se: An act, such as murder, which is a crime in itself.
- Mala Prohibita: Is not a crime in itself, but is forbidden.
- Mens Rea: The mental state required to be guilty of committing a crime.
- Non Compos Mentis: Mad or not of sound mind.
- Obiter Dicta: Things which are said in passing.
- Onus ProBANDI: The duty to prove that what has been alleged in court is true.
- Pari Passu: Equally, with no distinction.
- Per Capita: For each person.
- Per Curiam: A decision correctly made by a court, which can be used as a precedent.
- Per Pro: On behalf of another.
- Per Se: All alone, on its own.
- Prima Facie: On the face of it; how things seem at first.
- Pro Forma: As a matter of form.
- Pro Tempore: For a short time.
- Pro Rata: Proportionally.
- Quasi: As if it were.
- Quid Pro Quo: An action done in return for something done or promised.
- Quorum: Shareholders or directors present at a board meeting for it to be validly conducted.
- Res Judicata: A matter on which a judgment has been given.
- Sic: Thus (as in the original).
- Sui Generis: In a class of its own.
- Toties Quoties: As often as necessary.
- Uberrimae Fidei: In total good faith; a state which should exist between parties to some types of legal relationship.
- Vice Versa: The other way around.
- Viva Voce: By speaking.
- Videlicet: As follows, namely.
- Ultra Vires: Acting in a way which exceeds your legal powers.
