15 Latin legal terms every law student should know
Latin legal terms are something which is certainly a language outside from our day to day life, but these are the terms which are generally used in Court during proceedings, even Judges uses these terms while pronouncing various judgment. Being a law student it is important to know at least those legal terms which are often used. You will be surprised to know that most of these terms you have already listened in your favorite legal dramas.
For those terms which is still unknown to you we’ve picked up 15 important legal terms, defined them, and explained their uses so as to make the very meaning of the word easy and simple. So let’s get started…!!
| Latin term | Legal definition | Explanation |
| Ab initio | From the beginning | Often used in contract where it defines whether the terms and conditions if the contract were correct from the beginning or the contract was void. |
| Ad hoc | To this or for a particular end | Where there has been a problem and that problem can’t be solved by the existing group, then a new group is created to look upon the matter. |
| Amicus Curiae | Also known as friend of court, a person who is not the party to the law suit but is present and allowed before the court to advise the court in the specific matter or point of law. | This term is used in the criminal proceedings where the person is not involved in the case but is present to provide evidence and assisting the court the required information for the same. E;g medical practitioner of medical jurists. |
| Actus reus | Guilty act, wrongful act which makes physical action in committing crime. | Actus reus is the act of the crime, where the physical activity is done with the intent to commit crime, Stabbing knife to a person’s body. |
| Bona fide | In good faith, where the act is done with a good intention and to deceit or fraud. | An act done with a legitimate intention and lack of fraudulent activities. |
| Corpus delicti | Body of the crime, the substance of the crime that the prosecutor must prove and that consist of an injury or loss. | It refers to the physical evidence present at the crime scene and may also consist the body of the victim who was being murdered. |
| De jure | By right concerned with something that exist from the authority of law. | A de jure government is one that’s codified and enshrined by national laws, proving that it is legal and legitimate. |
| Ex post facto | After the fact, a recent ruling that will be applied retrospectively | The Indian Government forbids the use of ex post facto laws made by the Indian govt and individual state. |
| In camera | In chambers, in private | At the discretion if the Judges, the proceeding or part of the proceeding may take place without giving the public access. |
| In limine | On the threshold, being a motion, petition, or order regarding the admissibility of evidence whose exclusion is sought especially on the ground that it is prejudicial. | A request for the exclusion of certain evidence because it would unfairly sway the jury or judge. |
| Locus in quo | Place in which, place where legal action arouses. | The scene of a crime. |
| Mens Rea | Guilty mind, a culpable mental state | Seeks to establish defendants intent. |
| Nexus | Connection, a connection between the things, person or an event especially if that is a chain or part of the causation of the act. | In legal sense, it is in respect to that of the connecting laws with jurisdiction. |
| Pro hac vice | For this occasion | Pro hac vice refers to the lawyers take part in out-of -state trial where they don’t hold any license. |
| Ouid pro quo | Something for something, something given(consideration) or received for something in return. | In a quid pro quo, one person provides another with a favor or an advantage, with the other person returning the favor. |
By- Mansi Sharma
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