Latin Words and Expressions

• The text provides a list of Latin words and expressions along with their meanings

Latin Words and Expressions

• Ab initio: From the very beginning or the start of something
• Ab extra: From outside
• Ad idem: In agreement or meeting of the minds by parties
• Ad infinitum: To continue forever, without limit
• Ad nauseum: Disgusting or ridiculous to the extent of causing nausea (vomiting)
• Ad valorem: Proportionate to the value
• Alibi: At another place, elsewhere, or the state of being elsewhere at the time
• Ambiguitas latens: Latent ambiguity not appearing on instant inspection
• Ambiguitas patens: An ambiguity that readily appears on the face of a document or instrument
• Amicus curiae: A non-party who advises the court; "friend of the court"
• Animus possidendi: An intention to possess
• Audi alteram partem: Let the other side be heard as well
• Bona fide: Real, genuine, sincere, made or carried out in good faith
• Mala fide: Dishonest, made or carried out in bad faith
• Caveat emptor: Let the buyer beware
• De facto: Of fact, in reality
• De jure: Of law, officially
• De novo: Afresh, from the beginning
• Ejusdem generis: Of the same kind or nature
• Ex gratia: A favour or gift that is not legally necessary
• Ex parte: Without the presence or participation of the opposite party
• Ex post facto: Retroactive, affecting something that has already happened
• Fait Accompli: Accomplished and cannot be changed now
• Fiat justitia: Let the justice be done though the heavens fall
• Inter alia: Amongst other things
• In limine: At the outset, on the threshold; An order excludes evidence and directs parties not to refer to excluded matters during trial
• Jus ad rem: A right to a thing
• Jus in personam: Right against a person
• Letter rogatory: Formal request from a court to a foreign court for judicial assistance
• Locus standi: Right to bring an action, sufficient connection and harm from the law or action
• Modus operandi: Method of operation or a particular way of doing something
• Mutatis mutandis: Having changed what needs to be changed, once the necessary changes have been made
• Nudum pactum: Naked promise, bare promise
• Obiter: Said in passing, statements lack precedent but can be significant
• Onus probandi: Burden of proof, assertion, including production and persuasion burdens
• Parens patriae: Parent of the nation or legal protector of citizens unable to protect themselves
• Pari passu: Side by side, at the same rate, equally, on equal footing
• Per incuriam: Through lack of care
• Prima facie: At first sight, based on first impression
• Pro bono publico: Professional work undertaken voluntarily and without payment
• Quid pro quo: A favour or advantage granted in return for something
• Ratio decidendi: The rule of law on which a judicial decision is based
• Raison d'etre: Reason for being or something's existence
• Res integra: A point without precedent, an untouched matter
• Res nullius: Nobody's thing, belonging to no one
• Sine qua non: An essential condition, something absolutely necessary
• Intra vires: Within one's legal power or authority
• Ultra vires: Acting beyond one's legal power or authority
• Actus reus: A guilty act, such as theft
• Ad hoc: For a particular purpose
• Sine die: No fixed date to continue
• Alias: A false name
• Ante: Before
• Caveat: A warning
• Certiorari: Order by the High Court that a case should be reviewed
• Habeas Corpus: A writ to order a person's release from unlawful imprisonment; Produce the body in court
• Estoppel: A rule of law prevents someone from denying a previous statement if someone acted on it and their position changed
• Fiduciary: In a position of trust
• Mens rea: The intention to commit a crime and knowledge that an act is wrong
• Per: Through, by
• Per pro: On behalf of
• Per quod: In accordance, whereby
• Per se: In itself, by itself
• Pro rata: In proportion
• Res ipsa loquitur: Proof is not needed because the facts speak for themselves
• Sub judice: Something being dealt with by a court cannot be discussed outside the court
• Sui generis: Something in a particular category or is the only one of its class
• Sui juris: Someone who can enter into a contract without restriction
• Supra: Above
• Infra: Below, Inside
• Terra: Land
• Uberrimae fidei: Of the utmost good faith
• Writ: A court order to do or not do something
• A fortiori: From stronger argument
• Ad litem: As regards the action
• Ad referendum: Subject to reference
• Erratum: An error in printing or writing
• Ex officio: By virtue of holding an office
• Ibid: In the same place
• Ignorantia juris non excusat: Ignorance of law is not an excuse
• In camera: In chamber, in private
• In curia: In open court
• In re: In the matter of
• Ipso facto: By that very fact or act
• Quasi: As if, almost
• Res judicata: A matter that has been decided, judicial pronouncements
• Sic: So, thus, used to show quoted word stands as it is in the original
• Mandamus: We command, a command issued to public officials or bodies
• Quo warranto: By what warrant, stops usurpation of public office
• Prohibition: Writ by Supreme Court and High Court to lower courts exceeding jurisdiction
• Suo moto/Suo motu: On its own motion
• Ad interim: In the meantime, temporarily
• Et al, Et alii, Et alia: And others
• Et cetera: And other things
• Exempli gratia (e.g.): For the sake of example
• In absentia: In absence
• In toto: In total, totally
• Inter se: Among themselves
• Nota bene (NB): Note well
• Per capita: By head, per head
• Vice versa: The other way around
• Vide: See
• Videlicet (viz.): Namely
• Veto: I forbid
• Sub modo: Subject to modification
• Status quo/Status quo ante: The state of affairs that existed previously
• Vox populi: The opinions or beliefs of the majority
• Ad infinitum: To infinity, to continue forever
• Ex facie: On the face
• Per contra: In contrast to, by that against
• Pro per/Pro se: For himself
• Pro tem/Pro tempore: Temporary
• Id est (i.e.): That is, in other words
• Apropos: Regarding, concerning
• Jus naturale: Natural justice
• Magnum opus: A great work of literature
• Nemo dat quod non habet: No one can give a better title than he has
• Sciens: Knowingly
• Sui generis: Unique
• Vervatim: Word by word, exactly
• Legum Baccalaureus/Juris Doctor: Bachelor of Laws (LLB)
• Philosophiae Doctor: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
• Ante meridiem (AM): Before midday
• Post meridiem (PM): Past midday, after midday
• Diem: Day
• Mensem: Month
• Annum: Year
• Audio: I hear
• Dictum factum: What is said is done
• Fac simile/Facsimile: Make alike (Fax)
• In memoriam: In memory of
• Versus: Against
• Viva Voce: With living voice, by word of mouth
• Curriculum vitae: Course of one's life
• Bonus: Good, extra sum
• Ergo: Therefore
• Pro forma: As a matter of form
• Ad rem: To the point