Latin for Lawyers

L ATIN FOR L AWYERS

all reasonable purposes, the right to the soil in the banks and under the stream, etc., provided their use does not disturb the flow of water to riparian owners downstream. RIXA An angry dispute, a quarrel. See IN RIXA ROGATIO TESTIUM [L. roge, rogare / to ask, request + testis / a witness] The request by a testator at the moment of executing his will that the persons present bear witness that the document he is about to execute is his last will. ROGATORY [L. rogo , rogare / to ask, beg, request, question, beseech] Rogatory letters , or letters rogatory , are a formal request by a court in one jurisdiction to a court in another jurisdiction asking for the examination of a witness within the latter jurisdiction in connection with a case or proceeding pending in the former jurisdiction. Letters Rogatory by the federal govern ment to authorities in foreign countries are covered by 28 U.S.C.A. § 1781. ROTA [L. rota / wheel ( roto , rotare / to turn around, swing)] A roll, roster or list of persons, such as a list of jurors or of persons eligible for military conscription. The order in which designees are eligible to suc ceed to an office or appointment. ROYALTY [L. rex , regis / king, ruler, sovereign] The rank and attributes of a ruler; a king or queen. A right given to an indi vidual or corporation by the sovereign. Compensation to the owner of prop erty — e.g., a mine, oil well, patent or copyright — for the use of his property, either in the form of a percentage of gross or net income or of a fixed sum per unit produced or sold. Authors, composers and artists are examples of persons who receive royalties for the sale or enjoyment of their works. RULE [L. rego , regere / to guide, direct ( regula / a ruler, a straightedge)] A standard or guide for action or conduct; e.g., for lawyers, the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct. The directive of a court or agency establish ing guidelines for conduct. The Federal Rules of Civil Procedure govern the federal courts in all civil matters. The Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure govern the federal courts in all criminal matters. A judicial order compelling performance or non-performance of an act. A promulgation by an administra tive agency designed to implement a statute defining its powers and having the force of law. The process of rule-making by an agency generally includes

a period of public notice and comment for each new rule. The exercise of authority or dominion. A set of criteria for human conduct and action. A stan-

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