Latin Legal Terms

This phrase indicates that a legal consequence is established through both a mental element and an outward act. In South African law it is commonly used where intention must be accompanied by conduct showing implementati

This phrase denotes a person who lacks soundness of mind or sufficient mental capacity. In South African legal usage it appears in older authorities and procedural contexts concerning a person’s capacity to litigate, con

A curator ad litem is a person appointed by a court to represent and protect the interests of a minor, unborn person, or someone under a legal disability in specific litigation. In South African law, the appointment is p

This term denotes an address chosen by a party in a contract or legal instrument as the place where legal notices, court process, and other communications may validly be served. In South African law, service at the chose

Ex lege denotes that a right, obligation, status, or consequence arises directly from the law itself rather than from agreement, judicial discretion, or a separate act of the parties. In South African law, the phrase is

In South African legal usage, iusta causa refers to a legally sufficient reason or proper ground for an act, claim, or legal consequence. It commonly appears in discussions of enrichment, possession, and transfer, where

Lex domicilii refers to the law of the place where a person is domiciled. In South African private international law, it is used as a connecting factor, especially in questions concerning personal status, capacity, and c

This term refers to a party's legal standing or capacity to bring proceedings or appear before a court. In South African law, it concerns whether a litigant has a sufficient and direct interest in the relief sought, alth

In South African law, prima facie refers to evidence or a case that is sufficient on its face to establish a fact or support a claim unless it is rebutted. It does not mean conclusive proof, but rather a threshold showin

This phrase expresses the limit of liability in enrichment law: a defendant is liable only to the extent of the enrichment actually retained. In South African law it is used to qualify enrichment claims so that recovery

Restitutio in integrum refers to the restoration of a person to the position they occupied before a prejudicial act, judgment, or procedural default occurred. In South African law, the term appears both in substantive pr

In South African law, situs refers to the location of property or a thing for legal purposes. It is commonly used in private international law, property law, and jurisdictional questions to determine which court has auth