Latin Terms Found in Legal Records

Latin terminology appears frequently in court minutes, probate files, land deeds, and other legal documents derived from English common law. Understanding these terms can clarify procedural actions, inheritance structures, and court decisions found in historical records.

Term	Meaning
Ad litem	For the purpose of the lawsuit (e.g., guardian ad litem).
Alias	Otherwise known as; alternate name.
Bona fide	In good faith; genuine.
Capias	Writ ordering the arrest of a person.
Certiorari	Order requesting review of lower court records.
De bonis non (DBN)	Administrator appointed to handle remaining estate assets.
De facto	In fact, though not legally formalized.
De jure	By law; legally recognized.
Ex parte	Legal proceeding brought by one party without the other present.
Executor	Person appointed to carry out a will.
Executrix	Female executor of a will.
Guardian ad litem	Court-appointed guardian for a minor or incapacitated person.
Habeas corpus	Writ requiring a person to be brought before a judge.
Heirs at law	Individuals entitled to inherit under statutory law.
In camera	In private; not in open court.
In loco parentis	In place of a parent.
In re	In the matter of.
Inter vivos	Between living persons (e.g., gift made during lifetime).
Intestate	Dying without a valid will.
Ipso facto	By that very fact.
Jurisdiction	Legal authority of a court.
Nisi	Unless; conditional order.
Non compos mentis	Not of sound mind.
Nunc pro tunc	Now for then; retroactive legal action.
Per stirpes	Inheritance divided by family branch.
Per capita	Inheritance divided equally among individuals.
Per curiam	Decision issued collectively by the court.
Prima facie	Sufficient at first appearance unless disproven.
Pro se	Representing oneself in court.
Pro tempore (Pro tem)	For the time being.
Quid pro quo	Something given in exchange for something else.
Subpoena	Order requiring appearance in court.
Subpoena duces tecum	Order requiring production of documents in court.
Testator	Person who made a will.
Testatrix	Female person who made a will.
Ultra vires	Beyond legal authority.
Venue	Proper geographic location for trial.
Versus (v.)	Against (used in case names).
Videlicet (viz.)	Namely; that is to say.
Et al.	And others.
Et ux.	And wife.
Et vir.	And husband.

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