List of Latin legal terms

A number of Latin terms are used in legal terminology and legal maxims. This is a partial list of these "legal Latin" terms, which are wholly or substantially drawn from Latin.

A

Term/Phrase	Literal Translation	Definition and Use
a fortiori	from stronger	An a fortiori argument is an "argument from a stronger reason", meaning that because one fact is true, that a second related and included fact must also be true.
a posteriori	from later	An argument derived from subsequent event
a priori	from earlier	An argument derived from previous event
a quo	previous	Regarding a court of first instance, or the decision/s of a previous 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
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
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	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 a party designated to represent another party who is deemed incapable of representing him/herself (e.g. 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.
alter ego	another I	A second identity living within a person.
a mensa et thoro	from bed and table	Divorce a mensa et thoro indicates legal separation without legal divorce.
amicus curiae	friend of the court	A person who offers information to a court regarding a case before it.
animus nocendi	mind of harming	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.
ante	before
arguendo	for the sake of argument
Articulo Mortis	at the point of Death	Often used in probate law, as well as for testimony in the sense of a "dying declaration."
Audi alteram partem	hear the other side	Refers to the idea that one cannot be fairly judged unless the cases for and against them have been heard.

B

Term/Phrase	Literal Translation	Definition and Use
bona fide	in good faith.	Implies sincere good intention regardless of outcome.
bona vacantia	ownerless goods

C

Term/Phrase	Literal Translation	Definition and Use
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	He may beware of	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 more fully informed	A type of writ seeking judicial review.
Ceteris paribus	With other things the same.	More commonly rendered in English as "All other things being equal."
cogitationis poenam nemo patitur	Nobody suffers punishment for mere intent
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 facit legem	Consensus makes the law	Stipulates that when two or more persons arrive at a good faith agreement, the law will insist on that agreement being carried out.
consuetudo pro lege servatur	Custom is held as law	Where no laws apply to a given situation, the customs of the place and time will have the force of law.
contra	Against	Used in case citations to indicate that the cited source directly contradicts the point being made.
contra bonos mores	Against good morals	Contracts so made are generally illegal and unenforceable.
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 itself	A contradiction in terms.
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.
cuius est solum eius est usque ad coelum et ad inferos	For whoever owns the soil, it is theirs up to Heaven and down to Hell	Used in reference to the rights of property owners to the air above, and land below, their property.

D

Term/Phrase	Literal Translation	Definition and Use
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	Concerning fact	Often used to mean something that is true in practice, but has not been officially instituted or endorsed. "For all intents and purposes."
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	Concerning the law	Something that is established in law, whether or not it is true in general practice. C.f. de facto.
de lege ferenda	Of the future law	Used in the context of "how the law should be", such as for proposed legislation.
de lege lata	Of the law as it exists	Concerning the law as it exists, without consideration of how things should be.
delegatus non potest delegare	"No delegated powers can be further delegated."
de minimis	About minimal things	Various legal areas concerning small amounts or small degrees.
de minimis non curat lex	The law does not concern itself with minimal things	There must be a minimal level of substance or impact in order to bring a legal action.
de mortuis nil nisi bonum	Of the dead, [speak] nothing unless good	Social convention that it is inappropriate to speak ill of the recently deceased, even if they were an enemy.
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.
defalcation	Cutting off with a sickle	Misappropriation of funds by one entrusted with them.
dictum	Proverb	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 specialis	Specific intent	Heavily used in the context of genocide in international law.
dubia in meliorem partem interpretari debent	Doubtful things should be interpreted in the best way	Often spoken as "to give the benefit of the doubt."
duces tecum	Bring with you	A "subpoena duces tecum" is a summons to produce physical evidence for a trial.

E

Term/Phrase	Literal Translation	Definition and Use
ei incumbit probatio qui dicit	Proof lies on him who asserts, not on him who denies.	The concept that one is innocent until proven guilty.
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.	Among others	Abbreviation of et alii, meaning "among others".
et cetera	And other things.	Generally used in the sense of "and so forth".
et seq.	And the following ones	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	Often used in a "guilt by association" context.
ex delicto	From a transgression	The consequence of a crime or tort.
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 gratia	By favor	Something done voluntarily and with no expectation a legal liability arising therefrom.
ex injuria jus non oritur	Law does not arise from injustice	A principle in international law that unjust acts cannot create laws.
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 a past act illegal that was not illegal when it was done.
expressio unius est exclusio alterius	The express mention of one thing excludes all others	When items are listed, anything not explicitly stated is assumed to not be included.
ex proprio motu	By [one's] own motion	Commonly spoken as "by one's own accord."
ex rel	By relation	Abbreviation of ex relatione, meaning "by relation", or commonly "on behalf of". Often used when the government brings a case on behalf of another party.
ex turpi causa non oritur actio	From a dishonorable cause an action does not arise	A party cannot bring a legal action for consequences of his own illegal act.
exempli gratia	For the sake of example	Usually abbreviated "e.g.".
ex tunc	From the outset	Term used in contract law to specify terms that are voided or confirmed in effect from the execution of the contract. C.f. ex nunc.
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. C.f. ex tunc.
extant	Existing	Refers to things that are currently existing at a given point, rather than things that are no longer so.

F

Term/Phrase	Literal Translation	Definition and Use
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.
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	Animals of nature	Wild animals residing on unowned property do not belong to any party in a dispute on the land.
fiat	Let it be done	A warrant issued by a judge for some legal proceedings.
Fiat justitia et pereat mundus	Let there be justice, though the world perish.	Often used as a motto, notably by Ferdinand I, Holy Roman Emperor.
fiat justitia ruat caelum	Let justice be done though the heavens fall.	Also sometimes a motto, a legal maxim that justice must be done regardless of the result otherwise.
fieri facias	That you cause to be made	A writ ordering the local law enforcement to ensure that damages awarded by the court are properly recovered. A writ of execution.
flagrante delicto	Blazing offense	Refers to the actual act of committing a crime. Usually appears as in flagrante delicto, where it means "caught in the act."
forum non conveniens	Forum not agreeing	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.

G

Term/Phrase	Literal Translation	Definition and Use
generalia specialibus non derogant	The general does not detract from the specific.	Specifies that a certain matter of law be covered by the most specific laws pertaining, in the event that broader laws conflict with the specific one.
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.

H

Term/Phrase	Literal Translation	Definition and Use
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 humanity in general.	A party considered to be the enemy of all nations, such as maritime pirates.

I

Term/Phrase	Literal Translation	Definition and Use
i.e.	That is	Abbreviation of id est, meaning "that is", in the sense of restating something that may not have been clear.
ibid.	In the same place	Abbreviation of ibidem, meaning "in the same place. Used when citing sources, to indicate the cited source came from the identical location as the preceding one.
idem	The same	Used in citations to indicate the cited source came from the same source as the preceding one, though not necessarily the same page or location. C.f. ibid.
ignorantia juris non excusat	Ignorance of the law is no excuse.	A principle that states that not having knowledge of a law is not an excuse for breaking it.
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.
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.
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. C.f. in rem.
in pleno	In full
in prope persona	On one's own person	One who represents themselves in court without the [official] assistance of an attorney.
in propria persona	In one's own proper person	Alternate form of in prope persona. 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.
in rem	About a thing	Used in the context of a case against property, as opposed to a particular person. C.f. 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 solidum	For the whole	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, to recover the entire amount owed.
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
innuendo	By nodding	A 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 arma enim silent leges	For among arms, the law falls silent	A concept that during war, many illegal activities occur. Also taken to mean that in times of war, laws are suppressed, ostensibly for the good of the country.
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 terra	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. C.f. 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."
iudex non calculat	The judge does not calculate	A principle that calculation errors made by the court do not invalidate the judgement on a technicality. Also taken to mean that the judge does not tally up the arguments of both sides and decide in favor of the more numerous, but rather weighs all of the evidence without regard to the number of arguments made.

J

J is often rendered as I in Latin, so the below definitions are also seen with I as the first letter.

Term/Phrase	Literal Translation	Definition and Use
jura novit curia	The court knows the law	Concept that parties to a case to not need to define how the law applies to their case. The court is solely responsible for determining what laws apply.
jurat	Sworn	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 et de jure	Of law, and from law	Incontrovertible and fundamental presumptions of law. One cannot argue against, or try to otherwise refute these.
jus	That which is binding	Essentially: Law.
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 commune	Common law	Not actually referring to common law, this term refers to common facets of civil law that underlie all aspects of the law.
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 of 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	Law 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	Law of blood	Social law concept wherein citizenship of a nation is determined by having one or both parents being citizens.
jus soli	Law 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.

L

Term/Phrase	Literal Translation	Definition and Use
lacunae	Void, gap	A situation arising that is not covered by any law. Generally used in International Law, as all countries codify according to their own systems of law.
leges humanae nascuntur, vivunt, moriuntur	The laws of man are born, live, and die	Illustrates that laws are made, are in force for a period, and then become obsolete.
lex communis	Common law.	Alternate form of jus commune. Refers to common facets of civil law that underlie all aspects of the law.
lex lata	The law borne	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 posterior derogat priori	Later law removes the earlier	More recent law overrules older ones on the same matter.
lex retro non agit	The law does not operate retroactively	A law cannot make something illegal that was legal at the time it was performed. See ex post facto law.
lex scripta	Written law	Law that specifically codifies something, as opposed to common law or customary law.
lex specialis derogat legi generali	Specific law takes away from the general law	Where several laws apply to the same situation, the more specific one(s) take precedence over more general ones.
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	Dispute 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.
locus	Place
locus delicti	Place where the offense was committed	Shorthand version of Lex locus delcti 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.

M

Term/Phrase	Literal Translation	Definition and Use
male fide	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".
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."
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 been changed that which 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.

N

Term/Phrase	Literal Translation	Definition and Use
ne exeat	Let him not exit [the republic]	Shortened version of ne exeat repiblica: "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.
ne 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.
nemo auditur propriam turpitudinem allegans	no one can be heard, who invokes his own guilt	Nobody can bring a case that stems from their own illegal act
nemo dat quod non habet	no one gives what he doesn't have	If someone purchases something that the seller has no right to (such as stolen property), the purchaser will likewise have no legal claim to the thing bought.
nemo debet esse iudex in propria	no one shall be a judge in his own case	In the past it was thought that it included just two rules namely (1) nemo debet esse judex in propria causa (no one shall be a judge in his own case)
nemo judex in sua causa	no one shall be a judge in his own case	Prevents conflict of interest in courts. Often invoked when there is really no conflict, but when there is even the appearance of one.
nemo plus iuris ad alium transferre potest quam ipse habet	no one can transfer a greater right than he himself has	A purchaser of stolen goods will not become the rightful owner thereof, since the seller himself was not the owner to begin with.
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	unwilling to pursue	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 contend	A type of plea whereby the defendant neither admits nor denies the charge.
non adimpleti contractus	not completing the 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 faciat malum, ut inde veniat bonum	not to do evil that good may come	Performing some illegal action is not excused by the fact that a positive result came therefrom. Often used to argue that some forms of expression, such as graffiti or pornographic films, cannot be given the protection of law (e.g. copyright) as they are or may be considered illegal or morally reprehensible.
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 friends	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.
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.
nulla poena sine lege	no penalty without a law	One cannot be prosecuted for doing something that is not prohibited by law.
nullum crimen, nulla poena sine praevia lege poenali	no crime, no punishment without a previous penal law	One cannot be prosecuted for doing something that was not prohibited by law at the time and place it was committed, notwithstanding laws made since that time. A form of prohibition on retroactive laws.
nunc pro tunc	now for then	An action by a court to correct a previous procedural or clerical error.

P

Term/Phrase	Literal Translation	Definition and Use
pacta sunt servanda	agreements must be kept	A fundamental principle of law
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.
pater familias	father of the family	The head of household, for purposes of considering the rights and responsibilities thereof.
pendente lite	while the litigation is pending	Court orders used to provide relief until the final judgement is rendered. Commonly used in divorce proceedings.
per capita	by the 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 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.
periculum in mora	danger in delay	A condition given to support requests for urgent action, such as a protective order or restraining order.
per stirpes	through the root	receiving a bequest in place of a parent who has, for example, died before the testator
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	to have a [armed] companion	A body of armed citizens pressed into service by legal authority, to keep the peace or pursue a fugitive.
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.
praetor peregrinus	magistrate of foreigners	The Roman Praetor (magistrate) responsible for matters involving non-Romans.
prima facie	first face	A matter that appears to be sufficiently based in the evidence as to be considered true.
primogeniture	first offspring	The legal custom that the first born is entitled to inherit the entire estate of the parents.
prius quam exaudias ne iudices	before you hear, do not judge
probatio vincit praesumptionem	proof overcomes presumption
pro bono	for the public good	Professional work done for free.
pro bono publico
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 "proper person"	Refers to one reperesenting themselves without the services of a lawyer. 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	Refers to one reperesenting themselves without the services of a lawyer. 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 reperesenting themselves without the services of a lawyer. Also known as pro per representation.
prout patet per recordum	as appears in the record	Used to cite something that has already been admitted into the record.

Q

Term/Phrase	Literal Translation	Definition and Use
qua	which	A shorthand way to say "in the capacity of".
quareitur	it is sought for	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	partial payment for an incomplete piece of work assessed proportionately
quasi	as if	Resembling or being similar to something, without actually being that thing.
qui facit per alium facit per se	who acts through another, acts himself	One who delegates a task to another, takes full responsibility for the performance of that act as if he himself had done it. Basis for the law of agency
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.
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.
quod est necessarium est licitum	What is necessary is lawful

R

Term/Phrase	Literal Translation	Definition and Use
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.
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	In a list of items that contains a qualifying phrase at the end, the qualifier refers only to the last item in the list.
res	thing, matter, issue, affair
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 ipsa loquitur	the thing speaks for itself	used in tort law when there is no proof of what caused the harm, but it is most likely only the thing that coulf have cuased the harm
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.
res publica christiana	Christian public affair	All things of concern to the worldwide body of Christianity
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).
restitutio in integrum	total reinstatement	Restoration of something, such as a building or damaged property, to its original condition.

S

Term/Phrase	Literal Translation	Definition and Use
salus populi suprema lex esto	The good of the people shall be the supreme law	Used variously as a motto, a reminder, or a notion of how the law and governments in general should be.
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.
se defendendo
seriatim
sine die
sine qua non
situs
stare decisis	The decision stands.	The obligation of a judge(s) to stand by a prior precedent.
sua sponte
sub judice
sub modo
sub nomine
sub silentio
subpoena
subpoena ad testificandum
subpoena duces tecum
suggestio falsi
sui generis	of its own kind/genus	Something that is unique amongst a group.
sui iuris
sui juris
suo moto
supersedeas
suppressio veri
supra

T

Term/Phrase	Literal Translation	Definition and Use
terra nullius
trial de novo
trinoda necessitas
tabula rasa

U

Term/Phrase	Literal Translation	Definition and Use
uberrima fides
ultra posse nemo obligatur
ultra vires
uno flatu
uti possidetis
uxor

V

Term/Phrase	Literal Translation	Definition and Use
vel non
veto	I 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
videlicet
vinculum juris
vis major
viz.
volenti non fit injuria
vigilantibus non dormientibus aequitas subvenit

See also

• Brocard (law)
• Law French

References

• List of Latin phrases (full)