Imp Legal Terms

Question 0

pro bono\ˌprō-ˈbō-(ˌ)nō\

Answer 0

pro bono\ˌprō-ˈbō-(ˌ)nō\

adjective
law : involving or doing legal work for free

Full Definition
: being, involving, or doing professional and especially legal work donated especially for the public good

pro bono adverb

Examples
pro bono work
a pro bono case/lawyer
The lawyer defended him pro bono.

Origin: Latin pro bono publico for the public good.
First use: 1970

Question 1

Ratio decidendi (Latin plural rationes decidendi)

Answer 1

is a Latin phrase meaning “the reason” or “the rationale for the decision”.

The ratio decidendi is “the point in a case which determines the judgment” or “the principle which the case establishes”.

Question 2

co·par·ce·ner-ˈpärs-nər, -ˈpär-sə-nər\

noun

Answer 2

: a joint heir

First use: 15th century

Question 3

sub·poe·na\sə-ˈpē-nə, ÷-nē\

Answer 3

sub·poe·na\sə-ˈpē-nə, ÷-nē\

noun
law : a written order that commands someone to appear in court to give evidence

Full Definition
: a writ commanding a person designated in it to appear in court under a penalty for failure

Origin: Middle English suppena, from Latin sub poena under penalty.
First use: 15th century

Synonyms: process, summons

Question 4

ab in·i·tio\ˌab-ə-ˈni-shē-ˌō\

Answer 4

ab in·i·tio\ˌab-ə-ˈni-shē-ˌō\
adverb
\: from the beginning
Origin: Latin.
First use: 1599

Question 5

habeas corpus ad sub·ji·ci·en·dum-ˌad-səb-ˌji-sē-ˈen-dəm, -ˌji-shē-; -ˌäd-su̇b-ˌyi-kē-ˈen-du̇m\

Answer 5

habeas corpus ad sub·ji·ci·en·dum-ˌad-səb-ˌji-sē-ˈen-dəm, -ˌji-shē-; -ˌäd-su̇b-ˌyi-kē-ˈen-du̇m\

noun
: a writ for inquiring into the lawfulness of the restraint of a person who is imprisoned or detained in another’s custody

Full Definition
: a writ for inquiring into the lawfulness of the restraint of a person who is imprisoned or detained in another’s custody

Origin: New Latin, literally, you should have the body for submitting.
First use: 1768

Question 6

man·da·mus\man-ˈdā-məs\

Answer 6

man·da·mus\man-ˈdā-məs\

noun
: a writ issued by a superior court commanding the performance of a specified official act or duty

Full Definition
: a writ issued by a superior court commanding the performance of a specified official act or duty

Origin: Latin, we enjoin, from mandare.1530s, “writ from a superior court to an inferior one, specifying that something be done,” (late 14c. in Anglo-Fr.), from L., lit. “we order,” first person plural pres. indicative of mandare “to order” (see mandate).
First use: 1760

Question 7

cer·tio·ra·ri \ˌsər-sh(ē-)ə-ˈrer-ē, -ˈrär-ē, -ˈra-rē\

Answer 7

cer·tio·ra·ri\ˌsər-sh(ē-)ə-ˈrer-ē, -ˈrär-ē, -ˈra-rē\
noun
: a writ of superior court to call up the records of an inferior court or a body acting in a quasi-judicial capacity
Full Definition
: a writ of superior court to call up the records of an inferior court or a body acting in a quasi-judicial capacity
Origin: Middle English, from Latin, literally, to be informed; from the use of the word in the writ.
First use: 15th century

legal L., “to be certified, to be informed or shown,” 1523, from a word figuring in the opening phrase of such writs.

Question 8

quo war·ran·to\ˌkwō-wə-ˈrän-(ˌ)tō, -ˈran-; -ˈwȯr-ən-ˌtō, -ˈwär-\

Answer 8

quo war·ran·to\ˌkwō-wə-ˈrän-(ˌ)tō, -ˈran-; -ˈwȯr-ən-ˌtō, -ˈwär-\

noun
: an English writ formerly requiring a person to show by what authority he exercises a public office, franchise, or liberty
: a legal proceeding for a like purpose begun by an information
: the legal action begun by a quo warranto

Full Definition
1 a : an English writ formerly requiring a person to show by what authority he exercises a public office, franchise, or liberty
b : a legal proceeding for a like purpose begun by an information
2 : the legal action begun by a quo warranto

Origin: Middle English quo waranto, from Medieval Latin quo warranto by what warrant; from the wording of the writ.
First use: 15th century