“Time of execution” has different meanings in law. It can refer to the enforcement of a court sentence or a legal document, or the time when an illegal act is committed. It is important because laws depend on specific circumstances at the time of execution, such as age and mental capacity. In law, the term […]
Forum non conveniens is a legal doctrine used when a chosen jurisdiction is inconvenient for witnesses or the defendant. It can be used in cases such as traffic accidents, shipping, and corporate litigation. The court considers factors such as the location of witnesses and evidence when deciding whether to grant a motion for forum non […]
“Vis major” is a Latin term used in law to refer to a force so superior that no amount of preparation or precaution could have prevented it from occurring. It is often used as an exception to strict liability in tort and contract law. The term “act of God” is a modern English translation of […]
Ne bis in idem, or “double jeopardy,” means a person cannot be charged with the same offense resulting from the same incident more than once. Exceptions exist, such as positive appeals by convicted defendants and prosecution by separate sovereigns. Ne bis in idem is a Latin phrase meaning “not twice for the same”. This phrase […]
Res nullius is a legal term referring to ownerless property, including abandoned objects, unclaimed land, and certain wild animals. The first person to take possession of res nullius becomes the rightful owner, and even lost treasures can fall under this category. Res nullius, is a legal term of Latin origin which refers to a property […]
“Inter alia” means “among other things” and is often used in legal documents to indicate that the listed examples are not exhaustive. It can also be used in general contexts and may be italicized. Tra tralaltro literally means “among other things”. It is a Latin phrase often used in a legal context and indicates that […]
Squatters’ rights allow a person to reclaim property by assuming the rights and responsibilities of the owner after living in or using someone else’s property without permission for an extended period of time. Legal conditions must be met, and eviction can be a lengthy process. Squatters’ rights are the colloquial equivalent of the legal term […]
Sui juris refers to someone with full legal capacity to make decisions and engage in legal activities. Minors and mentally incompetent individuals are not considered sui juris. Bankrupts and some classes of people have also been deprived of their legal rights historically. Persons acting sui juris are expected to understand and abide by the law. […]
Embed by reference is a practice of including a second document as part of the first, saving space and time. It must be clearly described and attached to be valid, especially in wills where it can be problematic. Legal advice may be necessary. Embed by reference is a practice in which a document includes a […]
Lex loci refers to the local law that applies to a legal case, with different forms for specific issues such as contracts and acts. Laws vary between jurisdictions, leading to conflicts and the need to establish where activities occurred. It can also mean that an activity legal in one place is illegal in another. Understanding […]
“Mala fides” means “bad faith” in Latin and refers to acting deceitfully or with ill will. It can be used in various contexts, including law, where it refers to the intent of an act. Examples include selling or buying stolen goods, misrepresenting a product or service, or denying a legitimate insurance claim. Those who act […]
Ad hominem is a fallacy of logic where personal flaws or characteristics are attacked to invalidate an argument. It is common in law and politics and damages credibility. Personal attacks discredit a person as a reliable source. Circumstantial ad hominem assumes a person’s decision is based on their characteristics. Other types include guilt-by-association and tu […]
Nota bene (NB) is a Latin phrase meaning “note well” and is used to emphasize and direct readers to pay special attention to important information in legal, academic, scientific, mathematical, and technical writings. It can also be used to mark critical sections in a document or signal the need for further analysis. NB is always […]
Sui generis is a legal term used to describe unique situations that fall outside normal legal guidelines. It is used in zoning and patent law, and courts must carefully consider such cases as they cannot rely on similar cases. Originality is important in patent law, and failure to prove it may result in a denial […]
“Pacta sunt servanda” means agreements must be kept. It is a legal principle that contracts, treaties, and other legal agreements create a binding obligation between parties. Violation can result in sanctions. It applies to international law. It creates legal and social order and reminds people to keep legal promises. It does not apply if a […]
A next friend is someone who acts on behalf of a child or person with a disability in a civil suit. They have no control over the lawsuit’s proceeds or authority to assume custody of the child. Courts appoint a guardian ad litem to represent minors or incapacitated persons involved in legal proceedings. The ad […]
The legal doctrine of “separate but equal” allowed racial segregation in the US from 1877 to 1954, when the Supreme Court ruled in Brown v. Board of Education that separate educational facilities were inherently unequal. The 14th Amendment prohibits denying equal protection of the laws, but the federal government left segregation to individual states. The […]
“Stiff upper lip” is a British idiom that advises people to restrain from showing emotions that could be seen as weak. It was culturally cultivated during the British Empire and still has some cultural significance in the UK. The term can be used both as advice and descriptively to admire someone’s stoicism. The phrase “stiff […]
The phrase “better half” is commonly used to refer to a spouse or partner, reflecting the union of marital partners and implying humility and admiration. Historically, it was also used to refer to valued friends. The phrase can have a chivalrous context related to the idea of women being a favored gender. The use of […]
“Nom nom nom” is an onomatopoeic phrase used to indicate hunger, chewing or pleasure of eating. It has evolved from describing the Cookie Monster’s cookie eating to any food or object. It is commonly used on the internet and in captions of images, but not in formal contexts. “Nom nom nom” is essentially an onomatopoeia […]
