because judges can't just write in english, id est quod id est.

• a priori: based on theoretical deduction rather than empirical observation.
  • v. a posteriori: reasoning from known facts or past events rather than by making assumptions or predictions.
• actus reus: guilty act.
  • v. mens rea: guilty mind.
• ad hoc: for this purpose, as needed
  • v. ad hominem: to the person
  • v. ad infinitum: to infinity
  • v. ad nauseam: to a nauseating degree
• affidavit: a written statement under oath (lit. he has sworn)
• bona fide: good faith
  • v. mala fide: bad faith
• caveat emptor: let the buyer beware
• cui bono: to whom's benefit?
• de facto: in fact
  • v. de jure: in law
• de minimis: minor enough to disregard
• ex gratia: out of grace rather than legal obligation (lit. by favor)
• habeas corpus: applied to review the justification for a person’s imprisonment (lit. produce the body)
• ibidem (ibid.): in the same place
• ignorantia juris non excusat: ignorance of the law is no excuse
• inter alia: among other things
  • v. inter se: between or among themselves.
  • v. inter vivos between living persons
• in situ: in place / on site
• ipso facto: by the very fact
• modus operandi: way of doing things
• nemo dat quod non habet: no one can give what they do not have
• nexus: connection (lit. a binding together)
• non est factum: avoid effects of contract signed by mistake (lit. it is not my deed)
• nudum pactum: promise lacking consideration (lit. bare promise)
• onus: burden
• per curiam: a decision that is not authored by or attributed to a particular judge, but rather to the entire court or panel of judges that heard the case (lit. by the court)
• per se: in and of itself, intrinsically
• prima facie: on its face
• quantum meruit: reasonable value of services (lit. what one has earned)
• quid pro quo: something for something (e.g. consideration)
• ratio decidendi: reason for deciding
• restitutio in integrum: restoration to original condition
• stare decisis: the principle of legally binding precedent (lit. to stand by things decided)
• sui generis: unique, in a class of its own
• supra: above, previously mentioned
• terra nullius: no one's land
• ultra vires: out of powers
  • v. intra vires: within powers
• verbatim: word for word
• volenti non fit injuria: voluntary assumption of risk defence (lit. to the willing, no harm is done)