Legal Terms in Latin
- ius civile, civil law, referring to the laws of legal systems
modeled after Roman law.
- ius gentium, the law of nations, referring to International Law.
- lex scripta, written law. Written laws are those passed and put
into effect by a legislative body or corporation.
- lex non scripta, unwritten law. Unwritten law develops out of
common practice, custom, and usage. It is sometimes called common law.
- sub iudice, before the judge, referring to a case under
consideration by the judge, or court, but not yet decided.
- corpus iuris, the body of law, comprised of all the laws of a
sovereign power or legislative body collectively.
- subpoena, under penalty or punishment. A subpoena is a
writ naming a person and ordering him or her to appear in court, under
penalty for failure to do so.
- corpus delicti, the body of the crime or offense. The corpus
delicti refers to the circumstances necessary to a crime. In murder,
the corpus delicti is the fact of a criminal agent or of the death
of the victim. It does not refer to the victim's body.
- onus probandi, the burden of proof. The burden of proving its
case rests with the side that makes the affirmation in a suit.
- prima facie, on or at first appearance. Prima facie
evidence is evidence that, at first presentation, is adequate enough to
establish a fact.
- a vinculo matrimonii, from the bond of marriage. Used in a
decree of absolute divorce.
- caveat emptor, let the buyer beware. The buyer buys at his or
her own risk.
- inter vivos, between the living. Used to indicate a gift from
a living person to another living person.
- compos mentis, sound or sane of mind.
- non compos mentis or non compos, not sound or sand of mind.
- nolo contendere, I do not wish to contend. A plea by which a
defendant is subject to conviction, but does not admit guilt.
- nolle prosequi, to be unwilling to prosecute. Abbreviated
nol pros. A court record stating that the prosecutor will not carry
the suit further.
- non prosequitur, he or she does not prosecute. Abbreviated
non pros. Used to indicate a decision against a plaintiff who does
not appear in court to prosecute.
- obiter dictum, something said along the way. Used of remarks
made by a judge that are not part of the legal decision, but are personal
comments and observations on matters relating to the case and decision.
- nisi, if not, unless. Used to indicate that an order or decree
will go into effect at a specified time unless modified by further evidence
or cause presented before that time.
- sui iuris or suo iure, of one's own right or in one's own
right. Used of a person who has full capacity and ability to act for
himself or herself in legal preceedings.
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