Latin Term & Phrases

Question 1

The cost of a writ or declaration containing the statement of damages claim.

• remember by damnum - damages.

Answer 1

Ad damnum

Question 2

For only the particular cause that hand.

Answer 2

Ad hoc

Question 3

For the purpose of the suit.
* For example, a guardian, ad litem, is a guardian appointed Because of a lawsuit, such as a divorce, where a child is appointed an attorney called a guardian ad litem, who looks out for the interest of the child only for the purpose of the divorce suit.

Answer 3

Ad litem

Question 4

With great a reason or more convincing force. * remember by fortiori force.

Answer 4

A fortiori

Question 5

From another source; from outside.

Answer 5

Aliunde

Question 6

Friend of the court; one who volunteers information with the court’s permission on matters of law. * Remember, the word amicable means friendly, so amicus is friend.

Answer 6

Amicus curiae

Question 7

Listed prior in same index or material. * This is a prefix meaning “before“ for many words.

Answer 7

Ante

Question 8

In contemplation of death. * Remember that “Mortis“ means death.

Answer 8

Cause mortis

Question 9

Let the buyer beware.

Answer 9

Caveat emptor

Question 10

Appellate review proceeding, examining action, or inferior court, for further information; a writ of review or inquiry.

Answer 10

Certiorari

Question 11

The body of crime; the physical object upon which the crime was committed. *Remember that “corpus” means body.

Answer 11

Corpus delicti

Question 12

In fact, indeed, actually. * Remember the “fact“ part of de facto.

Answer 12

De facto

Question 13

Descriptive of a condition in which there has been total compliance with all requirements of law; writ; legitimate; lawful.

Answer 13

De jure

Question 14

Insignificant, minute, frivolous. *Remember that “minimis” sounds a lot like minute, which means small.

Answer 14

De minimis

Question 15

Anew; starting over as they’re not done before. * remember that “Novo” means you.

Answer 15

De novo

Question 16

For example.

Answer 16

e.g. exempli gratis

Question 17

All of the judges of one court sitting together.

Answer 17

En banc

Question 18

And others. *In the caption of a case, occasionally to shorten it, a judge will read it as “John Smith, et al. Versus Jim Jones, et al.” And all.

Answer 18

Et al

Question 19

And following.

Answer 19

Et seq

Question 20

And wife.

Answer 20

Et ux

Question 21

By virtue or because of an office. *Remember - “officio” is really close to the word “office.”

Answer 21

Ex officio

Question 22

By or for ones person. Outside the presence of another party.

Answer 22

Ex parte

Question 23

Upon relation or information; legal proceedings, which are instituted by the Attorney General (or other proper person), in the name and behalf of the state, but on the information, and at the instigation of an individual who has private interest in the matter, are said to be taken “on the relation“ (ex relatione) of each person, who is called the “ relator.“. Such a causes usually entitled: State ex tel Doe vs Roe.

Answer 23

Ex relatione

Question 24

Writ for the release of a prisoner.

Answer 24

Habeas corpus

Question 25

That is.

Answer 25

i.e ., id est

Question 26

In Chambers.

Answer 26

In camera

Question 27

In the face of the court.

Answer 27

In facie curiae

Question 28

In the character of manner of a pauper; describes permission, given to a poor person, or indigent to proceed without liability for court fees or cost. * remember that a “pauper“ is a poor person.

Answer 28

In forma pauperis

Question 29

On, or at the threshold, at the very beginning; preliminary. *In limine is pronounced in “lemony“, so it’s very close to “preliminary .“

Answer 29

In limine

Question 30

Against a person to impose a liability or obligation.

Answer 30

In personam

Question 31

In the matter of; concerning.

Answer 31

In re

Question 32

Among other things.

Answer 32

Inter alia

Question 33

Among the living, done during lifetime. *Remember “inter“ is among “vivos“ is life.

Answer 33

Inter vivos

Question 34

The law of the place. *Remember “loci” is a place, sort of like location.

Answer 34

Lex loci

Question 35

A pending lawsuit.

Answer 35

Lis pendens

Question 36

With bad faith. *The prefix “mal” always means bad.

Answer 36

Mala fides

Question 37

Intermediate.

Answer 37

Mesne

Question 38

The trial, where questions of fact are tried before one judge, and, in some cases, a jury. Refers to a lower court.

Answer 38

Nisi prius

Question 39

Commonly nolle pros - An entry in the record denoting that the plaintiff or the will proceed no further in the action or the suit.

Answer 39

Nolle prosequi

Question 40

“I do not contest the claim.” Commonly, pleading nolo.

Answer 40

Nolo contendere

Question 41

Not of sound mind; insane.

Answer 41

Non compos mentis

Question 42

Fallacy; it does not follow.

Answer 42

Non sequitur

Question 43

Entered at a time subsequent with retroactive effect.

Answer 43

Nunc pro tunc

Question 44

While suit is pending.

Answer 44

Prendent lite

Question 45

On the first appearance. A case is such as will suffice until contradicted and overcome by other evidence.

Answer 45

Prima facie

Question 46

For this occasion.

Answer 46

Pro hac vice

Question 47

For oneself; in one’s own behalf.

Answer 47

Pro se

Question 48

For the time being; temporarily.

Answer 48

Pro tem

Question 49

One equivalent for another.

Answer 49

Quid pro quo

Question 50

Literally, the thing. *For example, the trust res is the property held in trust.

Answer 50

Res

Question 51

Things done; especially ask and declarations admissible in evidence that form the environment of a litigated issue, considered as an exception to the hearsay rule.

Answer 51

Res gestae

Question 52

The thing speaks for itself.

Answer 52

Res ipsa loquitur

Question 53

The thing appoint formerly in controversy by now judicially settled.

Answer 53

Res judicata

Question 54

Rigidity of muscles occurring after death.

Answer 54

Rigor mortis

Question 55

Thus in the original. Meaning: exact reproduction. *In transcription, when an attorney or witness says something we know is incorrect, we transcribed it as said, and follow it with [sic].

Answer 55

Sic

Question 56

The essential element.

Answer 56

Sinc qua non

Question 57

The rule of precedent; that which is decided once will be applied in the future.

Answer 57

Stare decisis

Question 58

Of its own will or motion.

Answer 58

Sua sponte

Question 59

Subpoenaed to testify.

Answer 59

Subpoena ad restificandum

Question 60

An order of the court for a witness to produce documents or records.

Answer 60

Subpoena duces tecum

Question 61

Of one’s own right.

Answer 61

Sui juris

Question 62

In one’s own name.

Answer 62

Suo nominee

Question 63

Outside the scope of authority to act.

Answer 63

Ultra vires

Question 64

Namely.

Answer 64

Viz

Question 65

Literally, to see, to say, to speak the truth. A preliminary examination to determine competency of witness order.

Answer 65

Voir dire