Latin for Lawyers

L ATIN FOR L AWYERS

IGNORAMUS [L. ignorare / to be unaware of, not to know] Literally we do not know. Formerly used by lawyers in the sense of, “we choose not to know.” In this sense, the word was subscribed by a grand jury on a bill of indictment if the jury chose not to indict after hearing the evi dence. Nowadays, the jury writes “no bill” or “not found” instead. Also, an ignorant person, a fool. IGNORANTIA JURIS NEMINEM EXCUSAT Ignorance of the law excuses no one. IGNORANTIA LEGIS EST LATA CULPA It is an act of negligence to be ignorant of the law. IGNORANTIA LEGIS NON EXCUSAT Ignorance of the law is not an excuse. A breach of the law will not be excused or waived simply because the defendant did not think he was breaking the law or did not know that his act was illegal. ILLEGAL [L. in / without, not + lex, legis, legalis / legal] Not recognized or authorized by law, regulation or rule. An act falling outside the limits imposed by law. ILLICIT [L. in / not + licere, licitus / allowed, permitted] Not permitted, unlawful. Prohibited by custom or law. ILLUSORY [L. in + ludere / to play, mimic, mock; also, to deceive, delude] Deceptive, not real, having no substance, fallacious. ILLUSORY CONTRACT A document which contains language of commitment and obligation, but which does not actually obligate at least one of the parties to do anything. The language may be couched in promissory terms but performance is really at the option of the promisor and the promisee cannot enforce the promise e.g., because it is too vague or impossible to perform. ILLUSORY TENANT In real estate law, a tenant who is set up as the landlord’s alter ego to enable the tenant to enter into a sublease which would be illegal or invalid if made as a major lease by the landlord in his own name; e.g., a lease which would vio late rent control laws if made by the landlord but not by a tenant.

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