Hello everybody!
There are many specifics terms depending on your carrier.
Here is a list of latin terms you may know if you are a lawyer:
Ab Initio (From the beginning)
Legal definition: from the beginning
Explanation: a court decision that is applied to the start of the issue. Often used in reference to contracts
Curiosity : if a contract is entered under false pretenses, a judge can decide that the contract never existed
Ad Hoc (To this)
Legal definition: without consideration of wider application
Explanation: when there is na issue or problem that can’t be solved by an existing group, a new one is created for that specific purpose
Curiosity: before the US House of Representatives created in 1977 a permanent committee for energy related matters, na ad hoc one handled it
Alibi (In another place)
Legal definition: a defense of having been somewhere other than at the scene of a crime at the time the crime was committed
Explanation: if an alibi proves the suspect was in a different location from the crime scene, it can confirms a suspect’s innocence
Curiosity: alibi was first adapted into the Englisg language in the 18th century, as na adverb, but only became a noun by the start of the 19th century
Amicus Curiae (Friend of the Court)
Legal definition: one that is not a party to a specific lawsuit but is allowed to advise the court about a law or fact that concerns the lawsuit
Explanation: used in criminal justice when a person that is not involved in the case can provide information or evidence that could help the decision
Curiosity: judges often receive amicus curiae briefs to explain the possible legal ramifications os the case’s outcome
Actus Reus (A guilty act)
Legal definition: the wrong act that makes up the physical action of a crime
Explanation: is the act of the crime or the deliberate intent to commit the crime. Opposed to self defense
Curiosity: committing a crime, criminal negligence and failing to report a crime, all fall under actus reus and can lead to criminal charges
Bona Fide (In good faith)
Legal definition: good faith and lack of fraud or deceit
Explanation: bona fide is used to describe a person that does something with legitimate intentions
Curiosity: if a company wants to hold a “going out of business” sale, it only will be bona fide if they are really going out of business
Certiorari (Certified)
Legal definition: an extraordinary writ issued by a superior court to call up records of a particular case from na inferior court
Explanation: a request for documents to be turned over to a higher court by a lower one
Curiosity: the Supreme Court of the USA review cases from the US Court of Appeals through a writ of certiorari
Corpus Delicti (Body of the crime)
Legal definition: the substance of a crime that the prosecutor must prove that consists of na injury or loss and the criminal act that resulted in it
Explanation: the main facts that surround a case that proves to a judge or jury that a crime occurred
Curiosity: nowadays corpus delicti has also been used to refer to physical evidence in a crime, such as a victim’s body in a murder
De Facto (In fact)
Legal definition: in reality
Explanation: something that exists without having been created or mandated
Curiosity: many counties have no official language but a de facto national language
De Jure (By right)
Legal definition: by right
Explanation: something that exists with authority from the law
Curiosity: a de jure government is one that is codified by national laws, proving that it is legal and legitimate
Ex Parte (On behalf of)
Legal definition: on behalf of or involving only one party to a legal matter and in the absence of and usually without notice to the other party
Explanation: a ruling or motion made by just one party in a dispute
Curiosity: there may be a situation in a court case with na ex parte proceeding, in which only one side is involved
Ex Post Facto (After the fact)
Legal definition: after the fact
Explanation: a recent ruling that will be applied retroactively
Curiosity: the USA Constitution forbids the use of ex post facto laws made by the US Congress or made by individual states
In Camera (In chambers)
Legal definition: in private
Explanation: all or part of a case may take place without giving the public access
Curiosity: in camera hearings generally held in cases of adoptions, guardianship and custody dispute
In Limine (On the threshold)
Legal definition: of, relating to or being a motion , petition or order regarding the admissibility of evidence whose exclusion is sought especially on the ground that it is prejudicial
Explanation: a request for the exclusion of na evidence because it can unfairly sway the jury or judge
Curiosity: the US Supreme Court ruled in 1948 that the state may not show defendants prior trouble with the law
In Loco Parentis (In the place of parents)
Legal definition: in the place of a parent
Explanation: when someone that is not the biological parent assumes responsibility for a minor
Curiosity: some states in the USA allow people considered in loco parentis to have visitation rights or to consent to medical treatment of a minor
Inter Alia (Among other)
Legal definition: among other things
Explanation: inter alia is used for shortening legal documents so certain sections don’t have to include every allegation or reference
Curiosity: if a suspect is accused of multiple crimes, a prosecutor would refer to one crime, inter alia in legal documents to save space and time
Ipso Facto (By the very fact)
Legal definition: by that very fact or act, as na inevitable result
Explanation: like the word therefore
Curiosity: if a person is born in the USA, ipso facto they have a US Social Security number
Locus In Quo (Place in which)
Legal definition: the place where a legal cause of action arose
Explanation: the crime scene
Curiosity: the crime scene can be where the crime happened or a location where evidence of the crime is found
Mens Rea (Guilty mind)
Legal definition: a culpable mental state
Explanation: seeks to establish a defendant’s intent
Curiosity: mens rea considers whether a crime was committed purposely, knowingly, recklessly and negligently
Nexus (Connection)
Legal definition: a connection or link between things, persons or events, especially that is or is part of a chain of causation
Explanation: in a legal context, nexus is used when trying to connect laws between jurisdictions
Curiosity: a nexus is commonly required to establish due process in criminal cases
Postmortem (After death)
Legal definition: done, occurring or collected after death
Explanation: also known as na autopsy, a medical examiner investigates a corpse to determine the cause and manner of death
Curiosity: in some states in the USA, if the cause of death is undetermined, a coroner can hold na inquest or judicial inquiry to determine the cause
Prima Facie (After first view)
Legal definition: on first appearance absent other information or evidence
Explanation: used when a plaintiff or prosecutor has enough evidence for a case to go to trial
Curiosity: a prima facie case presented by a prosecutor to a grand jury could result in a criminal indictment
Quid Pro Quo (Something for something)
Legal definition: something given or received for something else
Explanation: in a quid pro quo one person provides another with a favor or an advantage with the other person returning the favor
Curiosity: prosecutors offer alleged criminals a lighter sentence in exchange for witness testimony against another alleged criminal facing more serious charges
