October 20th, 2023 Latin of the Day - "alieni iuris"
"alieni iuris"
"of a another's law" or "of another's right" - a legal Latin term designating a person as being under the authority of another by law, as with children or those not mentally competent to manage their own affairs
a.d. XIII Kalendas Novembres anno A.U.C. MMDCCLXXVI
October 8th, 2023 Latin of the Day - "a latere"
"a latere"
"from the side" - can be used quite literally as "from the side" (the source of the English "lateral" and "laterally," but also used in the Catholic Church for cardinals with the confidence of the pope ("from his side") - a legatus a latere is a papal legate enjoying the special confidence of the pope. In diplomacy, a legatus a latere can be a representative plenipotentiary. The word can also be used in law for succession of property rights - hence the English word "collateral"
a.d. VIII Idus Octobres anno A.U.C. MMDCCLXXVI
October 4th, 2023 Latin of the Day - "a fortiori"
"a fortiori"
"from a stronger [argument or reason]," "with stronger reason," "all the more" - a phrase used in philosophy and law to indicate an argument based on an even stronger one
a.d. IV Nonas Octobres anno A.U.C. MMDCCLXXVI
April 23rd, 2023 Latin of the Day - "ad vitam aut culpam"
"ad vitam aut culpam"
"for life or until fault" - a medieval, feudal practice of granting property or privileges that last for one's entire life, but can be revoked upon some misdeed by the recipient. The grant is for life . . . as long as one doesn't screw up.
a.d. IX Kalendas Maias anno A.U.C. MMDCCLXXVI
April 22nd, 2023 Latin of the Day - "ad vitam"
"ad vitam"
"for life," a bit of legal Latin found in wills to mean "for use during a person's life only"
a.d. X Kalendas Maias anno A.U.C. MMDCCLXXVI
April 15th, 2023 Latin of the Day - "adscriptus glebae"
"adscriptus glebae"
"allocated to the soil" - a Legal Latin description of a serf, one bound (literally, written into the records) to the soil
a.d. XVII Kalendas Maias anno A.U.C. MMDCCLXXVI
April 11th, 2023 Latin of the Day - "ad referendum"
"ad referendum"
"for consideration" - diplomatic term; when diplomats accept a proposal on behalf of their governments, they often do so ad referendum, meaning their acceptance is subject to the consideration and approval of their governments.
a.d. III Idus Apriles anno A.U.C. MMDCCLXXVI
April 10th, 2023 Latin of the Day - "ad quod damnum"
"ad quod damnum"
"to what damage" - a bit of legal Latin referring to a writ used for assessing damages relating to land taken for public use
a.d. IV Idus Apriles anno A.U.C. MMDCCLXXVI
March 30th, 2023 Latin of the Day - "ad litem"
"ad litem"
"To/for the suit/action" - a bit of legal Latin indicating that something is taken as valid only for the lis (the case or lawsuit) in question, e.g. a "guardian ad litem" is appointed by the court to represent a particular minor only with regard to the matter before the court, not as a general guardian (e.g. a foster or adoptive parent, a permanent guardian),
a.d. III Kalendas Apriles anno A.U.C. MMDCCLXXVI
March 21st, 2023 Latin of the Day - "Adhuc sub iudice lis est."
"Adhuc sub iudice lis est."
"The case is still before the judge," literally "under the judge," meaning a legal matter may not be discussed because it is an active case still being considered by a judge.
a.d. XII Kalendas Apriles anno A.U.C. MMDCCLXXVI
February 4th, 2023 Latin of the Day - "Abusus non tollit usum."
"Abusus non tollit usum."
"Abuse does not remove use," id est, the possibility that something could be abused is not a reason to remove the legitimate use of that thing. One phrasing of a legal principle, ab abusu ad usum non valet consequentia - "the consequence from abuse does not apply to use." This sort of argument, which has any number of legitimate applications, is often used in an attempt to defend the indefensible - things that have NO legitimate use, like military-style weapons for civilians.
Pridie Nonas Februarias anno A.U.C. MMDCCLXXVI
January 28th, 2023 Latin of the Day - "absente reo
"absente reo"
"the defendant being absent," "in the absence of the defendant" - a bit of legal Latin
a.d. V Kalendas Februarias anno A.U.C. MMDCCLXXVI
