Latin for Lawyers

L ATIN FOR L AWYERS

JUDGMENT DE BONIS INTESTATI A judgment affecting the estate or property of a person who dies intestate. A judgment rendered against the administrator of an estate. JUDGMENT DE BONIS TESTATORIS A judgment affecting the property of a person who dies with a valid will. A judgment rendered against the executor of an estate. JUDGMENT IN PERSONAM See IN PERSONAM JUDGMENT IN REM See IN REM. JUDGMENT IN RETRAXIT [L. retraho, retrahere / to draw back; because he has drawn back or withdrawn] A voluntary renunciation of his action by the plaintiff in open court and the resulting dismissal of the action by the court. Also, a statement by the parties in open court that they have settled the action and that the court may remove the case from its calendar. JUDGMENT NIHIL DIXIT (OR NIL DIXIT) [L. nihil, nil / nothing + dico, dicere / to say, speak] Literally, judgment because he says nothing. The judgment entered for a plaintiff when the defendant has failed to answer the complaint, or has with Judgment because “he is not pursuing his action.” Judgment entered for the defendant because the plaintiff has failed to comply with one or another rule or requirement for maintaining an action; e.g., his failure to serve a complaint or a bill of particulars. An involuntary dismissal. See NON PROSEQUITUR JUDGMENT NON SUNT INFORMATI Judgment entered after the defendant’s attorney acknowledges that he knows of no defense to plaintiff’s allegations. JUDGMENT NUNC PRO TUNC Literally, judgment now for then. A judgment which is given retroactive effect as of a specified date past. A judicial method for correcting a record drawn his answer; in effect, a judgment by default. JUDGMENT NON OBSTANTE VEREDICTO See J.N.O.V. JUDGMENT NON PROSEQUITUR (NON PROS)

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