[InputKey]
fstr=from stronger|a fortiori|An a fortiori argument is an "argument from a stronger reason", meaning that because one fact is true, that a second related and included fact must also be true.
ftab=from table and bed|a mensa et thoro|Divorce a mensa et thoro indicates legal separation without legal divorce.
flat=from later|a posteriori|An argument derived from subsequent event.
fear=from earlier|a priori|An argument derived from previous event.
fwhi=from which|a quo|Regarding a court below in an appeal, either a court of first instance or an appellate court, known as the court a quo.
fout=from outside|ab extra|Concerning a case, a person may have received some funding from a 3rd party.
fbeg=from the beginning|ab initio|Commonly used referring to the time a contract, statute, marriage, or deed become legal.
wthi=without this|absque hoc|Presenting the negative portion of a plea when pleading at common by way a special traverse.
opla=on the plaintiff rests the proving|Actori incumbit onus probatio|The burden of proof falls to the plaintiff, claimant, or petitioner according to Roman law.
gact=guilty act|actus reus|Part of what proves criminal liability (with mens rea).
tsky=to the sky|ad coelum|Abbreviated from Cuius est solum eius est usque ad coelum et ad infernos which translates to "[for] whoever owns [the] soil, [it] is his all the way [up] to Heaven and [down] to Hell.
tcol=to collect the goods|ad colligenda bona|In cases involving something quid pro quo, a prosecutor may be eligible for certain goods. Or, if specific items i.e. estate are unclaimable, the state would collect their goods.
ahoc=for this|ad hoc|Generally signifies a solution designed for a specific problem or task, non-generalizable, and not intended to be able to be adapted to other purposes.
aper=at the person|ad hominem|Attacking an opponent's character rather than answering his argument.
tsam=to the same thing|ad idem|In agreement.
tinf=to infinity|ad infinitum|To continue forever.
fcas=for the case|ad litem|Describes those designated to represent parties deemed incapable of representing themselves, such as a child or incapacitated adult.
ahar=according to the harm|ad quod damnum|Used in tort law.
aval=according to value|ad valorem|In proportion to the estimated value of the goods or transaction concerned.
adjo=adjournment without a day|sine die adjournment|When an assembly adjourns without setting a date for its next meeting.
hswo=he has sworn|affidavit|A formal statement of fact.
fcou=friend of the court|amicus curiae|A person who offers information to a court regarding a case before it.
cint=contractual intent|animus contrahendi|Intention to contract.
ihar=intention to harm|animus nocendi|The subjective state of mind of the author of a crime, with reference to the exact knowledge of illegal content of his behaviour, and of its possible consequences.
ipos=intention to possess|animus possidendi|In order to claim possessory rights, an individual must establish physical control of the res and the intention to possess (i.
iret=intention to return|animus revertendi|Wild animals, such as bees and homing pigeons, that by habit go 'home' to their possessor.
igoo=in good faith|bona fide|Implies sincere good intention regardless of outcome.
ogoo=ownerless goods|bona vacantia
tque=the question falls|Cadit quaestio|Indicates that a settlement to a dispute or issue has been reached, and the issue is now resolved.
cwar=case of war|Casus belli|The justification for acts of war.
feve=fortuitous event|casus fortuitus|Force majeure, specifically a man-made inevitable accident (e.g. riots, strikes, civil war); ex: When H.M.S. Bounty was destroyed by Hurricane Sandy, October 29, 2012, casus fortuitus would describe the H.M.S. Bounty being at the wrong place when Hurricane Sandy came up the coast. HMS Bounty Sinks Compare vis major.
mbew=May he beware|Caveat|When used by itself, refers to a qualification, or warning.
lbew=Let the buyer beware|Caveat emptor|In addition to the general warning, also refers to a legal doctrine wherein a buyer could not get relief from a seller for defects present on property which rendered it unfit for use.
tapp=to be apprised|Certiorari|A type of writ seeking judicial review.
woth=with other things the same|Ceteris paribus|More commonly rendered in English as "All other things being equal.
nsuf=Nobody suffers punishment for mere intent|cogitationis poenam nemo patitur|
cpro=community of property|communio bonorum|The aggregate of marital property under a community property matrimonial regime.
bdel=balance of delay|compensatio morae|Delay in payment or performance on the part of both the debtor and the creditor.
hcom=having command of mind|compos mentis|Of sound mind.
acon=A condition without which it could not be|Condicio sine qua non|An indispensable and essential action, condition, or ingredient.
asam=agreement to the same|consensus ad idem|Meeting of the minds, mutual assent, or concurrence of wills.
cmak=consensus makes the law|consensus facit legem|Stipulates that when two or more persons arrive at a good faith agreement, the law will insist on that agreement being carried out.
chel=Custom is held as law|consuetudo pro lege servatur|Where no laws apply to a given situation, the customs of the place and time will have the force of law.
aaga=against good morals|contra bonos mores|Contracts so made are generally illegal and unenforceable.
alaw=against the law|contra legem|Used when a court or tribunal hands down a decision that is contrary to the laws of the governing state.
cits=contradiction in itself|Contradictio in adjecto|A contradiction in terms.
aone=against the one bringing forth|contra proferentem|Used in contract law to stipulate that an ambiguous term in a contract shall be interpreted against the interests of the party that insisted upon the term's inclusion.
bone=before one who is not a judge|coram non judice|Refers to a legal proceeding without a judge, or with a judge who does not have proper jurisdiction.
bcri=body of the crime|corpus delicti|A person cannot be convicted of a crime, unless it can be proven that the crime was even committed.
blaw=body of law|corpus juris|The complete collection of laws of a particular jurisdiction or court.
bciv=body of civil law|corpus juris civilis|The complete collection of civil laws of a particular jurisdiction or court.
bthe=body of the law of nations|corpus juris gentium|The complete collection of international law.
elaw=encyclopedia of law|corpus juris secundum|crimen falsi crime of falsifying 
aben=as a benefit to whom|cui bono|Suggests that the perpetrator(s) of a crime can often be found by investigating those who would have benefited financially from the crime, even if it is not immediately obvious.
fown=for whoever owns the soil, it is theirs up to Heaven and down to Hell|cuius est solum eius est usque ad coelum et ad inferos|Used in reference to the rights of property owners to the air above, and land below, their property.
cgoo=carrying goods away|de bonis asportatis|Specifies that larceny was taking place in addition to any other crime named.
wdow=warring down|debellatio|Complete annihilation of a warring party, bringing about the end of the conflict.
ogoo=of goods not administered|de bonis non administratis|Assets of an estate remaining after the death (or removal) of the designated estate administrator.
fday=from day to day|de die in diem|Generally refers to a type of labor in which the worker is paid fully at the completion of each day's work.
ifac=in fact|de facto|Literally "from fact"; often used to mean something that is true in practice, but has not been officially instituted or endorsed.
cthe=concerning the future|de futuro|At a future date.
cthe=concerning the whole|de integro|Often used to mean "start it all over", in the context of "repeat de integro".
aglw=according to law|de jure|Literally "from law"; something that is established in law, whether or not it is true in general practice.
osho=of the law as it should be|de lege ferenda|Used in the context of "how the law should be", such as for proposed legislation.
otis=of the law as it is|de lege lata|Concerning the law as it exists, without consideration of how things should be.
tdel=That which has been delegated cannot delegate [further]|delegatus non potest delegare
asma=about the smallest things|de minimis|Various legal areas concerning small amounts or small degrees.
tlaw=The law does not concern itself with the smallest [things]|de minimis non curat lex|There must be a minimal level of substance or impact in order to bring a legal action.
odea=of the dead, [speak] nothing unless good|de mortuis nil nisi bonum|Social convention that it is inappropriate to speak ill of the recently deceased, even if they were an enemy.
aane=The gods take care of injuries to the gods|deorum injuriae diis curae|Blasphemy is a crime against the State, rather than against God.
tsai=(thing) said|dictum|A statement given some weight or consideration due to the respect given the person making it.
igui=incapable of guilt|doli incapax|Presumption that young children or persons with diminished mental capacity cannot form the intent to commit a crime.
sdec=specific deceit|dolus specialis|Heavily used in the context of genocide in international law.
tnat=tame by nature|domitae naturae|Tame or domesticated animal.
dgif=deathbed gift|donatio mortis causa|Gift causa mortis; "The donor, contemplating imminent death, declares words of present gifting and delivers the gift to the donee or someone who clearly takes possession on behalf of the donee.
pthe=persons of the drama|dramatis personae|
dthi=Doubtful things should be interpreted in the best way|dubia in meliorem partem interpretari debent|Often spoken as "to give the benefit of the doubt.
bwit=bring with you|duces tecum|A "subpoena duces tecum" is a summons to produce physical evidence for a trial.
plie=Proof lies on him who asserts.|ei incumbit probatio qui dicit|The concept that one is innocent until proven guilty.
ocla=of the same class|ejusdem generis|Known as a "canon of construction", it states that when a limited list of specific things also includes a more general class, that the scope of that more general class shall be limited to other items more like the specific items in the list.
bnam=by that name|eo nomine|It is used in the context of sovereign immunity.
tall=towards all|erga omnes|Refers to rights or obligations that are owed towards all.
tthe=and other things|et cetera|Generally used in the sense of "and so forth".
afol=and the following things|et seq.|Abbreviation of et sequens, meaning "and the following ones".
awif=and wife|et uxor|Usually used instead of naming a man's wife as a party in a case.
ahus=and husband|et vir|Usually used instead of naming a woman's husband as a party in a case.
oequ=of equity and [the] good|ex aequo et bono|Usually defined as "what is right and good.
obef=of before|ex ante|Essentially meaning "before the event", usually used when forecasting future events.
fthe=from the chair|ex cathedra|Where chair refers to authority or position.
fwha=from what has been conceded already|ex concessis|Often used in a "guilt by association" context.
ftra=from a transgression|ex delicto|The consequence of a crime or tort.
othe=on the face|ex facie|If a contract is blatantly and obviously incorrect or illegal, it can be considered void ex facie without any further analysis or arguments.
gbus=good business norms|ex fida bona
bfav=by favor|ex gratia|Something done voluntarily and with no expectation a legal liability arising therefrom.
linj=law not from injustice|ex injuria jus non oritur|A principle in international law that unjust acts cannot create laws.
foff=from the office|ex officio|Something done or realized by the fact of holding an office or position.
fone=from one party|ex parte|A decision reached, or case brought, by or for one party without the other party being present.
faft=from after|ex post|Based on knowledge of the past.
fthi=from a thing done afterward|ex post facto|Commonly said as "after the fact.
rlaw=retroactive law|ex post facto law|expressio unius est exclusio alterius The express mention of one thing excludes all others.
bown=by own motion|ex proprio motu|Commonly spoken as "by one's own accord.
othe=out of the narration|ex rel|Abbreviation of ex relatione.
fdis=From a dishonorable cause an action does not arise.|ex turpi causa non oritur actio|A party cannot bring a legal action for consequences of his own illegal act.
fexa=for the sake of example|exempli gratia|Usually abbreviated "e.
fthe=from then|ex tunc|Term used in contract law to specify terms that are voided or confirmed in effect from the execution of the contract.
fnow=from now on|ex nunc|Term used in contract law to specify terms that are voided or confirmed in effect only in the future and not prior to the contract, or its adjudication.
eexi=deed|factum|1.
Itha=I do that you may do|facio ut facias|A type of contract wherein one party agrees to do work for the other, in order that the second party can then perform some work for the first in exchange.
fthe=favor of the contract|favor contractus|A concept in treaty law that prefers the maintaining of a contract over letting it expire for purely procedural reasons.
fhim=felon of himself|felo de se|A suicide.
wani=wild animals by nature|ferae naturae|Wild animals residing on unowned property do not belong to any party in a dispute on the land.
ldon=let it be done|fiat|A warrant issued by a judge for some legal proceedings.
lthe=let there be justice, though the world perish.|Fiat justitia et pereat mundus|Often used as a motto, notably by Ferdinand I, Holy Roman Emperor.
jdon=justice be done though the heavens fall.|fiat justitia ruat caelum|Also sometimes a motto, a legal maxim that justice must be done regardless of the result otherwise.
cdon=cause to be done.|fieri facias|A writ ordering the local law enforcement to ensure that damages awarded by the court are properly recovered.
satt=strong attachment, the stronger presumption|fortis attachiamentum, validior praesumptionem|When determining whether a chattel is a fixture: "size doesn't matter, how much or degree chattel is attached to 'land' and to 'what' " forum non conveniens disagreeable forum A concept wherein a court refuses to hear a particular matter, citing a more appropriate forum for the issue to be decided.
ifru=industrial fruits|fructus industriales|Emblements; in property law, a co-owner profitng from her or his fructus industriales is solely responsible for any losses that my occur.
nfru=natural fruits|fructus naturales|Vegetation naturally growing from old roots (as pasturage) or from trees (as timber or fruit) (vs.
sgoo=smoke of a good right|fumus boni iuris|Refers to having a sufficient legal basis to bring legal action.
hper=having performed his office|functus officio|A person, court, statute, or legal document that has no legal authority, because its original legal purpose has been fulfilled.
Tgen=The general does not detract from the specific.|generalia specialibus non derogant|Specifies that a certain matter of law be covered by the most specific laws pertaining, in the event that broader laws conflict with the specific one.
twei=things weighing down|gravamen|The basic element or complaint of a lawsuit.
gfor=guardian for the case|guardian ad litem|An independent party appointed in family law disputes to represent parties that cannot represent themselves, such as minors, developmentally disabled, or elderly.
myou=may you have the body.|habeas corpus|A writ used to challenge the legality of detention.
ethe=enemy of the human race|hostis humani generis|A party considered to be the enemy of all nations, such as maritime pirates.
ttha=in the same place|ibid.|Abbreviation of ibidem, meaning "in the same place.
tsam=the same|idem|Used in citations to indicate the cited source came from the same source as the preceding one, though not necessarily the same page or location.
ilaw=Ignorance of the law does not excuse.|ignorantia juris non excusat|A principle that states that not having knowledge of a law is not an excuse for breaking it.
lpri=Let it be printed.|imprimatur|An authorization for a document to be printed.
iabs=in absence|in absentia|A legal proceeding conducted without the presence of one party is said to be conducted in absentia, e.
amon=at the moment of death|In articulo mortis|Often used in probate law, as well as for testimony in the sense of a dying declaration.
ithe=in the chamber|in camera|Conducted in private, or in secret.
icou=in court|in curia|Conducted in open court.
ixis=in existence|in esse|Actually existing in reality.
ixtn=in the extended|in extenso|In extended form, or at full length.
ixtr=in the extreme|in extremis|In extreme circumstances.
ibla=in blazing offense|in flagrante delicto|Caught in the actual act of committing a crime.
iman=in the manner of a pauper|in forma pauperis|Someone unable to afford the costs associated with a legal proceeding.
ifut=in the future|in futuro|Refers to things to come, or things that may occur later but are not so now.
iwor=in these words|in haec verba|Used when including text in a complaint verbatim, where its appearance in that form is germane to the case, or is required to be included.
athr=at the threshold|in limine|A motion to a judge in a case that is heard and considered outside the presence of the jury.
ipla=in the place of a parent|in loco parentis|Used to refer to a person or entity assuming the normal parental responsibilities for a minor.
imil=in the milder|in mitius|A type of retroactive law that decriminalizes offenses committed in the past.
iall=in all|in omnibus|Used to mean "in every respect.
iequ=in equal offense|in pari delicto|Used when both parties to a case are equally at fault.
isam=in the same matter|in pari materia|Refers to a situation where a law or statute may be ambiguous, and similar laws applying to the matter are used to interpret the vague one.
iper=in person|in personam|Used in the context of "directed at this particular person", refers to a judgement or subpoena directed at a specific named individual.
iful=in full|in pleno
oown=on one's own person|in prope persona|One who represents themselves in court without the [official] assistance of an attorney.
ione=in one's own proper person|in propria persona|Alternate form of in prope persona.
imat=in the matter [of]|in re|Used in the title of a decision or comment to identify the matter they are related to; usually used for a case where the proceeding is in rem or quasi in rem and not in personam (e.
athi=about a thing|in rem|Used in the context of a case against property, as opposed to a particular person.
ipos=in position|in situ|Often used in the context of decisions or rulings about a property or thing "left in place" after the case as it was before.
fthe=for the whole|in solidum|Jointly and severally; where a group of persons share liability for a debt, such as co-signers to a loan, the debtor can sue a single party in solidum, that is, to recover the entire amount owed.
iord=in order to frighten|in terrorem|A warning or threat to sue, made in the hopes of convincing the other party to take action to avoid a lawsuit.
cord=clause "in order to frighten"|in terrorem clause|A clause in a will that threatens any party who contests the will with being disinherited.
itot=in total|in toto
indi=indications|indicia|Often used in copyright notices.
bund=below or under|infrain
bnod=by nodding|nuendo|An intimation about someone or something, made indirectly or vaguely suggesting the thing being implied.
aoth=among others|inter alia|Used to indicate an item cited has been pulled from a larger or more complete list.
famo=for among arms, the laws fall silent.|inter arma enim silent leges|A concept that during war, many illegal activities occur.
arus=among rustics|inter rusticos|Refers to contract, debts, or other agreements made between parties who are not legal professionals.
athe=amongst themselves|inter se|Refers to obligations between members of the same group or party, differentiated from the whole party's obligations to another party.
bliv=between the living|inter vivos|Refers to a gift or other non-sale transfer between living parties.
intr=within the law|intra legem|Used in various contexts to refer to the legal foundation for a thing.
wthe=within the powers|intra vires|Something done which requires legal authority, and the act is performed accordingly.
hsai=himself said it.|ipse dixit|An assertion given undue weight solely by virtue of the person making the assertion.
tver=the very words|ipsissima verba|Referring to a document or ruling that is being quoted by another.
bfac=by the fact itself|ipso facto|Used in the context that one event is a direct and immediate consequence of another.
tlaw=the law itself|ipso jure|By operation of law.
tjud=The judge does not calculate.|iudex non calculat|A principle that calculation errors made by the court do not invalidate the judgement on a technicality.
tlaw=The court knows the law.|jura novit curia|Concept that parties to a case do not need to define how the law applies to their case.
sswe=of law, and from law|juris et de jure|Irrebuttable or conclusive presumptions of law.
lrig=law, right|jus|Essentially: law.
rsur=right of survivorship; right of accrual|jus accrescendi|(1) Right of survivorship: In property law, on the death of one joint tenant, that tenant's interest passes automatically to the surviving tenant(s) to hold jointly until the estate is held by a sole tenant.
lwar=laws to war|jus ad bellum|Refers to legalities considered before entering into a war, to ensure it is legal to go to war initially.
civl=civil law|jus civile|A codified set of laws concerning citizenry, and how the laws apply to them.
coml=compelling law|jus cogens|Internationally agreed laws that bear no deviation, and do not require treaties to be in effect.
claw=common law|jus commune|Not actually referring to common law, this term refers to common doctrine and principles of civil law that underlie all aspects of the legal system.
lnat=law of nations|jus gentium|Customary law followed by all nations.
lwar=law in war|jus in bello|Laws governing the conduct of parties in war.
lbet=law between the peoples|jus inter gentes|Laws governing treaties and international agreements.
nlaw=natural law|jus naturale|Laws common to all people, that the average person would find reasonable, regardless of their nationality.
rnig=right of the first night|jus primae noctis|Supposed right of the lord of an estate to take the virginity of women in his estate on their wedding night.
rrel=right to third-party relief|jus quaesitum tertio|Right of a third-party beneficiary to sue in order to enforce a third-party contract (i.
rblo=right of blood|jus sanguinis|Social law concept wherein citizenship of a nation is determined by having one or both parents being citizens.
rsoi=right of soil|jus soli|Social law concept wherein citizenship of a nation is determined by place of birth.
lthi=law of the third|jus tertii|Arguments made by a third party in disputes over possession, the intent of which is to question one of the principal parties' claims of ownership or rights to ownership.
vgap=void, gap|lacunae|A situation arising that is not covered by any law.
lman=laws of man are born live and die|leges humanae nascuntur, vivunt, moriuntur|Illustrates that laws are made, are in force for a period, and then become obsolete.
fcla=forfeiture clause|lex commissoria|For non-performance lex communis common law Alternate form of jus commune.
tbor=the law borne|lex lata|The law as it has been enacted.
tpla=the law of the place|lex loci|The law of the country, state, or locality where the matter under litigation took place.
lear=Later law removes the earlier.|lex posterior derogat priori|More recent law overrules older ones on the same matter.
tret=The law does not operate retroactively.|lex retro non agit|A law cannot make something illegal that was legal at the time it was performed.
wlaw=written law|lex scripta|Law that specifically codifies something, as opposed to common law or customary law.
slaw=specific law takes away from the general law.|lex specialis derogat legi generali|Where several laws apply to the same situation, the more specific one(s) take precedence over more general ones.
fvet=free veto|liberum veto|An aspect of a unanimous voting system, whereby any member can end discussion on a proposed law.
tFra=the Frankish language|lingua franca|A language common to an area that is spoken by all, even if not their mother tongue.
lels=lawsuit elsewhere pending|lis alibi pendens|Refers to requesting a legal dispute be heard that is also being heard by another court.
spen=suit pending|lis pendens|Often used in the context of public announcements of legal proceedings to come.
ppla=the place in which|locus in quo|The location where a cause of action arose.
prep=place of repentance|locus poenitentiae|When one party withdraws from a contract before all parties are bound.
psta=place of standing|locus standi|The right of a party to appear and be heard before a court.
ibad=(in) bad faith|mala fide|A condition of being fraudulent or deceptive in act or belief.
eact=evil acts distinguished|maleficia propositis distinguuntur|Evil acts are distinguished from evil purposes[4] crimes are distinguished by the intention[5] malum in se wrong in itself Something considered a universal wrong or evil, regardless of the system of laws in effect.
pwro=prohibited wrong|malum prohibitum|Something wrong or illegal by virtue of it being expressly prohibited, that might not otherwise be so.
wcom=we command|mandamus|A writ issue by a higher court to a lower one, ordering that court or related officials to perform some administrative duty.
csea=closed sea|mare clausum|A body of water under the jurisdiction of a state or nation, to which access is not permitted, or is tightly regulated.
osea=open sea|mare liberum|A body of water open to all.
gmin=guilty mind|mens rea|One of the requirements for a crime to be committed, the other being actus reus, the guilt act.
mope=manner of operation|modus operandi|A person's particular way of doing things.
dcre=delay of creditor|mora accipiendi|Delay in payment or performance in the part of the creditor or obligor.
ddeb=delay of debtor|mora solvendi|Delay in payment or performance in the part of the debtor or the obligee.
icon=in contemplation of death|mortis causa|Gift or trust that is made in contemplation of death.
cfor=custom for law|mos pro lege|That which is the usual custom has the force of law.
mthe=motion at the start|motion in limine|Motions offered at the start of a trial, often to suppress or pre-allow certain evidence or testimony.
hcha=having changed [the things that] needed to be changed|mutatis mutandis|A caution to a reader when using one example to illustrate a related but slightly different situation.
lhim=let him not exit [the republic]|ne exeat|Shortened version of ne exeat repiblica: "let him not exit the republic".
ntwi=not twice in the same|non bis in idem|Prohibition against double jeopardy.
mest=management of estate|negotiorum gestio|Quasi-contractual obligation arising from good works affecting other people, obliging the benefited party (dominus negotii) to reimburse the gestor for the cost that was used in doing good works.
none=no one can be heard who invokes his own guilt|nemo auditur propriam turpitudinem allegans|Nobody can bring a case that stems from their own illegal act.
none=no one gives what he does not have.|nemo dat quod non habet|If someone purchases something that the seller has no right to (such as stolen property), the purchaser will likewise have no legal claim to the thing bought.
none=no one shall judge his own case.|nemo debet esse iudex in propria|In the past it was thought that it included just two rules namely (1) nemo debet esse judex in propria causa (no one shall be a judge in his own case)[clarification needed] 
njud=no one can transfer a greater right than he himself has.|nemo plus iuris ad alium transferre potest quam ipse habet|A purchaser of stolen goods will not become the rightful owner thereof, since the seller himself was not the owner to begin with.
hsay=he says nothing.|nihil dicit|A judgement rendered in the absence of a plea, or in the event one party refuses to cooperate in the proceedings.
fnl=unless first|nisi prius|Refers to the court of original jurisdiction in a given matter.
npro=not to prosecute|nolle prosequi|A statement from the prosecution that they are voluntarily discontinuing (or will not initiate) prosecution of a matter.
Inot=I do not wish to dispute|nolo contendere|A type of plea whereby the defendant neither admits nor denies the charge.
onon=of a non-completed contract|non adimpleti contractus|In the case where a contract imposes specific obligations on both parties, one side cannot sue the other for failure to meet their obligations, if the plaintiff has not themselves met their own.
npos=not in possession of [one's] mind|non compos mentis|Not having mental capacity to perform some legal act non constat It is not certain.
inot=it is not [my] deed.|non est factum|A method whereby a signatory to a contract can invalidate it by showing that his signature to the contract was made unintentionally or without full understanding of the implications.
hnot=he is not found.|non est inventus|Reported by a sheriff on writ when the defendant cannot be found in his county or jurisdiction.
nevi=not to do evil that good may come.|non faciat malum, ut inde veniat bonum|Performing some illegal action is not excused by the fact that a positive result came therefrom.
inot=it is not clear.|non liquet|A type of verdict where positive guilt or innocence cannot be determined.
nthe=notwithstanding the verdict|non obstante verdicto|A circumstance where the judge may override the jury verdict and reverse or modify the decision.
anew=a new action coming between|novus actus interveniens|A break in causation (and therefore probably liability) because something else has happened to remove the causal link.
ikno=it is known by friends.|noscitur a sociis|An ambiguous word or term can be clarified by considering the whole context in which it is used, without having to define the term itself.
nwel=note well|nota bene|A term used to direct the reader to cautionary or qualifying statements for the main text.
npro=naked promise|nudum pactum|An unenforceable promise, due to the absence of consideration or value exchanged for the promise.
ngoo=no goods|nulla bona|Notation made when a defendant has no tangible property available to be seized in order to comply with a judgement.
npen=no penalty without a law|nulla poena sine lege|One cannot be prosecuted for doing something that is not prohibited by law.
ncri=no crime, no punishment without a previous penal law|nullum crimen, nulla poena sine praevia lege poenali|One cannot be prosecuted for doing something that was not prohibited by law at the time and place it was committed, notwithstanding laws made since that time.
nfor=now for then|nunc pro tunc|An action by a court to correct a previous procedural or clerical error.
apas=a thing said in passing|obiter dictum|In law, an observation by a judge on some point of law not directly relevant to the case before him, and thus neither requiring his decision nor serving as a precedent, but nevertheless of persuasive authority.
bpro=burden of proof.|onus probandi|pacta sunt servanda Agreements must be kept.
efau=equal fault|par delictum|Used when both parties to a dispute are at fault.
pthe=parent of the nation|parens patriae|Refers to the power of the State to act as parent to a child when the legal parents are unable or unwilling.
oequ=on equal footing|pari passu|Equal ranking, equal priority (usually referring to creditors).
fthe=father of the family|pater familias|The head of household, for purposes of considering the rights and responsibilities thereof.
wthe=while the litigation is pending|pendente lite|Court orders used to provide relief until the final judgement is rendered.
bhea=by head|per capita|Dividing money up strictly and equally according to the number of beneficiaries per contra by that against Legal shorthand for "in contrast to".
tcou=through the court|per curiam|A decision delivered by a multi-judge panel, such as an appellate court, in which the decision is said to be authored by the court itself, instead of situations where those individual judges supporting the decision are named.
bneg=by their neglect|per incuriam|A judgement given without reference to precedent.
tthr=through threats|per minas|Used as a defense, when illegal acts were performed under duress.
bthr=by or through the next friend|per proxima amici|Employed when an adult brings suit on behalf of a minor, who was unable to maintain an action on his own behalf at common law.
bwhi=by which|per quod|Used in legal documents in the same sense as "whereby".
bits=by itself|per se|Something that is, as a matter of law.
bbra=by branch|per stirpes|An estate of a decedent is distributed per stirpes, if each branch of the family is to receive an equal share of an estate.
ddel=danger in delay|periculum in mora|A condition given to support requests for urgent action, such as a protective order or restraining order.
uper=unwelcome person|persona non grata|A person who is officially considered unwelcome by a host country in which they are residing in a diplomatic capacity.
pcou=power of the county|posse comitatus|A body of armed citizens pressed into service by legal authority, to keep the peace or pursue a fugitive.
adea=after death|post mortem|Refers to an autopsy, or as a qualification as to when some event occurred.
aaut=after the author's death|post mortem auctoris|Used in reference to intellectual property rights, which usually are based around the author's lifetime.
mfor=magistrate of foreigners|praetor peregrinus|The Roman praetor (magistrate) responsible for matters involving non-Romans.
afir=at first face|prima facie|A matter that appears to be sufficiently based in the evidence as to be considered true.
etim=earlier in time, stronger in law|prior tempore potior iure|(1) A legal principle that older laws take precedence over newer ones.
byou=before you hear do not judge|prius quam exaudias ne iudices
ppre=proof overcomes presumption|probatio vincit praesumptionem 
fgoo=for good|pro bono|Professional work done for free.
fthe=for the public good|pro bono publico
amat=as a matter of form|pro forma|Things done as formalities.
fthi=for this turn|pro hac vice|Refers to a lawyer who is allowed to participate (only) in a specific case, despite being in a jurisdiction in which he has not been generally admitted.
apro=abbreviation of propria persona, meaning "one's own person"|pro per|Representing oneself, without counsel.
frat=from the rate|pro rata|A calculation adjusted based on a proportional value relevant to the calculation.
fhim=for himself|pro se|Representing oneself, without counsel.
fmuc=for so much|pro tanto|A partial payment of an award or claim, based on the defendant's ability to pay.
aprt=abbreviation of pro tempore, meaning "for the time being"|pro tem|Something, such as an office held, that is temporary.
ftim=for the time being|pro tempore|Something, such as an office held, that is temporary.
pper=proper person|propria persona|Refers to one representing themselves without the services of a lawyer.
arec=as appears in the record|prout patet per recordum|Used to cite something that has already been admitted into the record.
isou=it is sought|quareitur|The question is raised.
hmuc=how much|quantum
mdes=as much as it deserves; as much as she or he has earned|quantum meruit|In contract law, a quasi-contractual remedy that permits partial reasonable payment for an incomplete piece of work (services and/or materials), assessed proportionately, where no price is established when the request is made. 
awor=as much as they were worth|quantum valebant|In contract law, and in particular the requirement for consideration, if no fixed price is agreed upon for the service andor materials at the end of the job. A common example would be a plumber requested to fix a leak in the middle of the night.[3] Under Common Law, a remedy to compute reasonable damages when a contract has been breached – the implied promise of payment of a reasonable price for goods.
wact=who acts through another acts himself|qui facit per alium facit per se|One who delegates a task to another, takes full responsibility for the performance of that act as if he himself had done it.
aqui=abbreviation of qui tam pro domino rege quam pro se ipso in hac parte sequitur, meaning "who pursues in this action as much for the king as himself".|qui tam|In a qui tam action, one who assists the prosecution of a case is entitled to a proportion of any fines or penalties assessed.
tfor=this for that|quid pro quo|An equal exchange of goods or services, or of money (or other consideration of equal value) for some goods or services.
abef=as before|quo ante|Returning to a specific state of affairs which preceded some defined action.
bwar=by what warrant|quo warranto|A request made to someone exercising some power, to show by what legal right they are exercising that power.
atth=as to this|quoad hoc|Used to mean "with respect to" some named thing, such as when stating what the law is in regards to that named thing.
wnec=what is necessary is lawful.|quod est necessarium est licitum|
regi=Rex or Regina King or Queen|R|
rdec=reason for the decision|ratio decidendi|The point in a legal proceeding, or the legal precedent so involved, which led to the final decision being what it was.
wrea=written reason|ratio scripta|The popular opinion of Roman law, held by those in the Medieval period.
brea=by reason of the soil|rationae soli|Certain rights may arise by virtue of ownership of the soil upon which wild animals are found.
tsta=things thus standing|rebus sic stantibus|A qualification in a treaty or contract, that allows for nullification in the event fundamental circumstances change.
rsol=referring solely to the last|reddendo singula singulis|The canon of construction that in a list of items containing a qualifying phrase at the end, the qualifier refers only to the last item in the list.
tmat=thing, matter, issue, affair|res
call=common to all|res communis|Property constructs like airspace and water rights are said to be res communis – that is, a thing common to all, and that could not be the subject of ownership.
tdon=things done|res gestae|Differing meaning depending on what type of law is involved.
tspe=thing speaks for itself.|res ipsa loquitur|used in tort law when there is no proof of what caused the harm, but it is most likely only the thing that could have caused the harm.
amat=a matter judged|res judicata|A matter that has been finally adjudicated, meaning no further appeals or legal actions by the involved parties is now possible.
nthi=nobody's thing|res nullius|Ownerless property or goods.
paff=public affair|res publica|All things subject to concern by the citizenry.
cpub=christian public affair|res publica christiana|All things of concern to the worldwide body of Christianity.
Lthe=Let the master answer.|respondeat superior|A concept that the master (e.
trei=total reinstatement|restitutio in integrum|(1) Restoration of something, such as a building or damaged property, to its original condition.
kcan=king can do no wrong|rex non potest peccare|Used to describe the basis for sovereign immunity.
gpeo=good of the people shall be the supreme law|salus populi suprema lex esto|Used variously as a motto, a reminder, or a notion of how the law and governments in general should be.
sthe=scandal of the magnates|scandalum magnatum|Defamation against a peer in British law.
kkno=let them know.|scire facias|A writ, directing local officials to officially inform a party of official proceedings concerning them.
ikno=I have made known.|scire feci|The official response of the official serving a writ of scire facias, informing the court that the writ has been properly delivered.
afor=According to the form of the statute.|Secundum formam statuti|se defendendo self-defense The act of defending one's own person or property, or the well-being or property of another.
iser=in series|seriatim|Describes the process in which the court hears assorted matters in a specific order.
Uyou=Use your property so as not to injure that of your neighbours.|sic utere tuo ut alienum non laedas|While an individual is entitled to the use and enjoyment of one's estate, the right is not without limits.
wday=without day|sine die|Used when the court is adjourning without specifying a date to re-convene.
wwhi=without which, nothing|sine qua non|Refers to some essential event or action, without which there can be no specified consequence.
tpla=the place|situs|Used to refer to laws specific to the location where specific property exists, or where an offense or tort was committed.
psom=performance of something not due|solutio indebiti|Undue performance or payment, obliging the enrichee (accipiens) to return the undue payment or compensate the impoverishee (solvens) for the undue performance 
sdec=the state in which|status quo|status quo ante statu quo In contract law, in a case of innocent representation, the injured party is entitled to be replaced in statu quo.
acov=a covering, from neuter past participle of sternere, to spread|stratum|1) In property law, condominiums has said to occupy stratum many stories about the ground. 2) Stratum can also be a societial level made up of individuals with similar status of social, cultural or economic nature. 3) Stratum can refer to classification in an organized system along the lines of layers, levels, divisions, or similar grouping. 
sspo=of its own accord|sua sponte|Some action taken by the public prosecutor or another official body, without the prompting of a plaintiff or another party.
uthe=under the judge|sub judice|Refers to a matter currently being considered by the court.
smod=subject to modification|sub modo|Term in contract law that allows limited modifications to a contract after the original form has been agreed to by all parties.
uthe=under the name|sub nomine|Abbreviated sub nom.
usil=under silence|sub silentio|A ruling, order, or other court action made without specifically stating the ruling, order, or action.
upen=under penalty|subpoena|A writ compelling testimony, the production of evidence, or some other action, under penalty for failure to do so.
upew=under penalty to be witnessed|subpoena ad testificandum|An order compelling an entity to give oral testimony in a legal matter.
bwyo=bring with you under penalty|subpoena duces tecum|An order compelling an entity to produce physical evidence or witness in a legal matter.
fsug=false suggestion|suggestio falsi|A false statement made in the negotiation of a contract.
oits=of its own kind/genus|sui generis|Something that is unique amongst a group.
ohis=of his own right|sui juris|Refers to one legally competent to manage his own affairs.
oits=of its own motion|suo motu|Refers to a court or other official agency taking some action on its own accord (synonyms: ex proprio motu, ex mero motu).
rfro=refrain from|supersedeas|A bond tendered by an appellant as surety to the court, requesting a delay of payment for awards or damages granted, pending the outcome of the appeal.
sthr=suppression of the truth|suppressio veri|Willful concealment of the truth when bound to reveal it, such as withholding details of damage from an auto accident from a prospective buyer of the car in that accident.
aabo=thus and such|tantum et tale|(Scots law) "as is", to disclaim implied warranties, as in to purchase or convey something tantum et tale.
nlan=no one's land|terra nullius|Land that has never been part of a sovereign state, or land which a sovereign state has relinquished claim to.
tane=trial anew|trial de novo|A completely new trial of a matter previously judged.
tkno=three-knotted need|trinoda necessitas|Refers to a threefold tax levied on Anglo-Saxon citizens to cover roads, buildings, and the military.
mabu=most abundant faith|uberrima fides|Concept in contract law specifying that all parties must act with the utmost good faith.
none=no one is obligated to do more than he can.|ultra posse nemo obligatur|Specifies that one should do what he can to support the community, but since everyone has different levels of ability, it cannot be expected that all will perform the same.
bpow=beyond the powers|ultra vires|An act that requires legal authority to perform, but which is done without obtaining that authority.
tpeo=totality of people|universitas personarum|Aggregate of people, body corporate, as in a college, corporation, or state universitas rerum totality of things Aggregate of things.
ione=in one breath|uno flatu|Used to criticize inconsistencies in speech or testimony, as in: one says one thing, and in the same breath, says another contradictory thing.
ayou=as you possess|uti possidetis|Ancient concept regarding conflicts, wherein all property possessed by the parties at the conclusion of the conflict shall remain owned by those parties unless treaties to the contrary are enacted.
wwif=or not|vel non|Used when considering whether some event or situation is either present or it is not.
Ifor=I forbid.|veto|The power of an executive to prevent an action, especially the enactment of legislation.
toth=the other way around|vice versa|Something that is the same either way.
ssee=contraction of videre licet, meaning "it is permitted to see"|videlicet|Used in documents to mean "namely" or "that is".
tcha=the chains of the law|vinculum juris|Something which is legally binding.
gsup=greater or superior force|vis major|Force majeure, specifically events over which no humans have control, and so cannot be held responsible.
avid=abbreviation of videlicet|viz.|Namely.
Inot=Injury is not done to the willing.|volenti non fit injuria|Notion that a person cannot bring a claim against another for injury, if said person willingly placed themselves in a situation where they knew injury could result. vigilantibus non dormientibus aequitas subvenit Equity aids the vigilant, not the sleeping. Concept that if an opposing party unreasonably delays bringing an action, that it is no longer considered just to hear their claim, due to fundamental changes in circumstance brought upon by their delay.