Latin for Lawyers

L ATIN FOR L AWYERS

tiated by attaching his interest in property located within the state. The attachment of property does not confer personal jurisdiction over the individ ual but does enable the plaintiff to establish his claim against the property attached. QUERELA [L. queror , queri / to complain] A complaint in an action; also, the action itself. QUESTION [L. quaero, quaerere / to seek, search for] An issue requiring resolution. A point of law or fact on which parties dis agree and which is submitted to the court for disposition. A particular inquiry directed to a witness. A matter to be researched or inquired into. A federal question is an issue arising under a federal law and which lies within the jurisdiction of the federal courts. A political question is an issue that a court will decline to answer on the ground that it falls outside the scope of the judi cial function and should be resolved by the executive or legislative branches of government. QUESTIO VEXATA [L. quaestio / a seeking or searching + vexo , vexare / to shake, jostle; to annoy or molest] A troublesome or difficult question. Used to describe a difficult issue of law confronting the court. QUIA EMPTORES (STATUTE OF) [L. quia / because, for the reason that + emptores / buyers, purchasers] Literally, because of the buyers. The name for an act passed by Parliament in 1290 which abolished some of the restraints upon alienation or transfer of land that had been imposed under the feudal system. QUIA IMPOTENTIA EXCUSAT LEGEM When performance is impossible, the obligation is released. QUIA TIMET [L. quia + timeo , timere / to fear, dread] Literally, because he fears. A bill in equity submitted by anyone who feared that the threatened action of another would cause him or his property injury or damage. The relief, after a showing of imminent harm, was by injunction or restraint. QUID PRO QUO [L. quis , quid / anything; what? + pro / for, in place of + quo / what?] What thing for what thing? An exchange of something for something else. The mutual consideration between parties to a contract. In cases alleging sex ual harassment, the promise or grant of special employment privileges in

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