Latin Legal Terms & Maxims
Law kept its Latin. Open any casebook or sit in any courtroom and you will meet a stream of phrases — habeas corpus, prima facie, res judicata — that carry precise meanings a whole sentence of English could not. Learning them is not showing off; it is literacy. Once these are automatic you read judgments at full speed and you understand exactly what a lawyer means when they slip one into an argument.
Practice this set for free — no account needed. Loads 14 flashcards into the learner.
Practice in the free learnerHow to study this set
Learn each phrase as three linked pieces: the Latin, the literal translation, and what it does in practice. The literal meaning is usually a memory hook — “friend of the court” for amicus curiae, “a thing decided” for res judicata. Say the phrase aloud; many are as much about pronunciation confidence as recall.
All 14 flashcards
What does “habeas corpus” mean, and what does it protect?
“That you have the body” — a legal action requiring that a person’s detention be justified before a court
It is a fundamental safeguard against unlawful imprisonment.
What does “stare decisis” mean?
“To stand by things decided” — the doctrine of following precedent
What does “prima facie” mean?
“At first sight” — evidence sufficient to establish a fact unless it is rebutted
What does “bona fide” mean?
“In good faith” — genuine, without any intent to deceive
What does “de facto” mean?
“In fact” — existing in reality, whether or not legally recognised
It is contrasted with de jure, “by law”.
What does “de jure” mean?
“By law” — recognised by law, whether or not it exists in practice
What does “pro bono” mean?
“For the public good” — professional legal work done without charge
Short for pro bono publico.
What does a “subpoena” literally demand?
“Under penalty” — a command to appear or produce evidence, or face a penalty
What does “amicus curiae” mean?
“Friend of the court” — a non-party who offers information or argument to assist the court
What does “res judicata” mean?
“A thing decided” — a matter that has been finally judged cannot be litigated again
What does “ultra vires” mean?
“Beyond the powers” — an act done outside one’s legal authority, and therefore invalid
What does “voir dire” refer to?
The preliminary questioning of prospective jurors (or of a witness’s competence)
From Anglo-Norman, roughly “to speak the truth”.
What does “in loco parentis” mean?
“In the place of a parent” — when a person or institution takes on parental responsibilities
What does “obiter dictum” mean?
“Said in passing” — a remark in a judgment that is not essential to the decision and is not binding
It is contrasted with the ratio decidendi, the binding reason for the decision.
What to learn next
That completes the Law School path — foundations, the core doctrines, and the language lawyers actually use. Keep these three decks in your review rotation so they stay sharp, and explore the other subjects to keep learning.