Latin for Lawyers

PARENS PATRIAE

PARENS PATRIAE [L. parens / parent + patria / fatherland, native land coun try] Literally, parent of the country. The role of the state or central government as sovereign guardian of persons who require special protection because of a legal disability or infirmity. For example, the interest of the state in protecting the rights of minors and the insane. In early England, the King had the pre rogative to step in to protect the rights of infants. In the U.S., the right to intercede to protect others belongs to the states and is exercised by such state officers as the Attorneys General. These officers will intercede in cases of child abuse or in custody cases. See PATER PATRIAE PARENTELA [L. parens / parent, father, mother] All those persons who share descent from a common ancester. The line of descent from one ancestor by blood relatives. PARES [L. par / equal to, like] Persons of equal rank; equals, peers. A jury of peers to an accused. PARI CAUSA [L. par / equal + causa / cause] With equal right, upon equal terms. Also, in equal fault or guilt; equally cul pable. See IN PARI CAUSA PARI DELICTO See DELICTUM, IN PARI DELICTO, PAR DELICTUM PARI MATERIA See IN PARI MATERIA PARI PASSU [L. par / equal + passus / step, stride] Equally, upon the same terms. In bankruptcy, creditors of the same class share pari passu in the assets of the debtor. In contracts, provision may be made to pay some parties pari passu , i.e., in equal shares from a common fund. PARITY [L. par , paris / equal, like, a match for] The state of being equal or equivalent to something else. Equivalence between the value of a commodity expressed in one currency and its value in another currency. The measure at which one currency is exchanged in equiva lent value to another. The equivalence in value between a farmer’s current produce and its purchasing power, measured by the relationship between the

274