Latin for Lawyers

L ATIN FOR L AWYERS

plead lack of jurisdiction. A lawyer, as officer of the court, could not chal lenge its jurisdiction and was deemed to have accepted the jurisdiction when he appeared. See PROPRIA PERSONA; PRO SE IN QUANTUM MERUIT An equitable doctrine supporting a plaintiff’s right to recover for “as much as he deserved.” For a more extended discussion: See QUANTUM MERUIT INQUEST [L. inquiro, inquirere / to investigate, inquire into, search for] An official investigation by a body (e.g., a jury) appointed by the court to determine the facts surrounding an event. The investigation by a coroner’s jury into the circumstances of a suspicious death. The word is also used to describe the jury itself. INQUIRY [L. in + quaero, quaerere / to seek or search ( inquiro, inquirere )] A search for facts or information. A formal investigation by a commission or a legislative or prosecutorial committee of a matter of public interest, often with the power to compel testimony and disclosure. Under common law, a writ to determine plaintiff's damages after default by a defendant. INQUISITION [L. inquirere / to seek or search for; inquisitio / a searching for] A judicial determination, usually based upon the findings of a jury. An inquest. Formerly, the inquiry into heresy by the Catholic Church and by the rulers of Spain and Portugal. INQUISITIO POST MORTEM An inquiry, investigation or inquest after death. See POST MORTEM IN RE In the matter of, concerning, in the affair of. Used in the title of a legal pro ceeding or action which is not inherently adverserial but which requires the determination of some right or matter or an interest in property; e.g., In re Estate of Murphy . Also used more generally, as in the heading of a letter or memorandum, to indicate the subject matter dealt with by the writer. IN REM [L. in + res / a thing, fact or object] Concerning a thing or item of property, rather than a person. An action in which the plaintiff seeks recovery against or affecting property or things. The judgment in an action in rem determines the rights of all parties claiming an

183