Latin legal terms

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Habeas Corpus

"You shall have the body" – A legal action requiring a person under arrest to be brought before a judge or into court.

Mens Rea

Guilty mind" – Refers to the intent or knowledge of wrongdoing that constitutes part of a crime.

Actus Reus

"Guilty act" – The physical act of committing a crime.

Prima Facie

"At first sight" – Evidence that is sufficient to establish a fact unless disproved.

Pro Bono

"For the public good" – Legal work done voluntarily and without payment.

Subpoena

"Under penalty" – A writ ordering someone to attend court.

Res Ipsa Loquitur

"The thing speaks for itself" – A doctrine that infers negligence from the nature of the accident.

Stare Decisis

"To stand by things decided" – The doctrine that courts should follow precedents.

Nolo Contendere

"I do not wish to contend" – A plea in criminal court meaning the defendant does not admit guilt but accepts conviction.

Ipso Facto

"By the fact itself" – Something that is a direct consequence of the action.

In Loco Parentis

"In the place of a parent" – Refers to a person or institution assuming parental responsibilities.

De Facto

"In fact" – Refers to practices that exist in reality, even if not legally recognized.

De Jure

"By law" – Refers to something that is legally recognized, whether or not it exists in practice.

Amicus Curiae

"Friend of the court" – A person or group who is not a party to a lawsuit but offers information or expertise.

Corpus Delicti

"Body of the crime" – The concrete evidence of a crime, such as a corpse in a murder case.

Malum In Se

"Wrong in itself" – Acts that are inherently immoral or evil, such as murder.

Malum Prohibitum

"Wrong because prohibited" – Acts that are crimes only because they are prohibited by law (e.g., jaywalking).

Ex Parte

"From one party" – Legal proceedings brought by or for one party without notice to or challenge by the other side.

Ultra Vires

"Beyond the powers" – Acts performed beyond the scope of legal power or authority.

Inter Alia

"Among other things" – Used to indicate one item among a broader group of items.

Ab initio

From the beginning.

Ad hoc

For this purpose; often refers to a committee or solution created for a specific task.

Ad litem

For the lawsuit; refers to a party appointed to act on behalf of another in a legal action.Alibi

Alibi

Elsewhere; a defense claiming the accused was elsewhere when the crime occurred.

Bona fide

In good faith; genuine.

Bona vacantia

Ownerless goods; property without an apparent owner.

Caveat emptor

Let the buyer beware; the buyer assumes the risk in a transaction.

Certiorari

To be more fully informed; a writ seeking judicial review.

Corpus delicti

Body of the crime; concrete evidence of a crime.

Corpus juris

Body of law; the complete collection of laws in a jurisdiction.

De facto

• In fact; practices that exist in reality, even if not legally recognized.

De jure

By law; legally recognized, regardless of whether the practice exists in reality.

Dura lex sed lex

The law is harsh, but it is the law.

Ex parte

From one party; legal proceedings conducted for the benefit of one party without the other being present.

Ex post facto

After the fact; laws applied retroactively.

Habeas corpus

You shall have the body; a writ requiring a person under arrest to be brought before a judge.

In rem

Against a thing; legal proceedings directed toward property rather than a person.

Nolo contendere

I do not wish to contend; a plea where the defendant neither admits nor disputes a charge.

Per curiam

By the court; an opinion issued collectively by a court.

Pro bono

For the public good; legal work undertaken voluntarily and without payment.

Res judicata

A matter judged; a case that has been decided and cannot be pursued further.

Ultra vires

Beyond the powers; acts conducted beyond the scope of legal authority.

Stare decisis

To stand by things decided; the doctrine of precedent.