Latin for Lawyers

L ATIN FOR L AWYERS

CENSURE [L. censeo, censere / to estimate, judge, form an opinion of] A determination that some action requires criticism or condemnation. A judgment of fault. Attorneys are censured by disciplinary committees for vio lating the rules of professional responsibility. Judges are censured by panels of judges for violating judicial codes of conduct. CENSUS [L. the counting or enrollment of all Roman citizens] In Rome, the listing of citizens’ names and property. The counting and enu meration of all persons within the borders of a city, state, nation or other political entity. In the United States, the first census was completed in 1790 and a new census is done every ten years. CENTUMVIRI The one hundred and five Roman judges who determined cases brought by commoners. CEPI CORPUS [L. cepi / I have taken ( capere / to take) + corpus / body] I have taken the body. The return of a warrant for the arrest of a debtor. CEPIT ET ASPORTAVIT He took (it) and carried (it) away. CERTIFICATE [L. certificare / to certify ( certus / settled, decided)] A document which attests to the proof or certainty of a set of facts or relation ships. A document evidencing a right or privilege, such as attainment of an educational degree or ownership of some asset or property. A certificate of deposit is a document issued by a bank or financial institution evidencing its obligation to repay at maturity at a stated rate of interest an amount deposited with the bank for a stated period by an individual. A certificate of title is a statement to a land owner issued by a title company or registry of deeds attesting to ownership free and clear of all defects except those listed as exceptions. A certificate of occupancy is a document issued by a local build ing agency or authority establishing that a dwelling or other structure meets all construction requirements and may be used and occupied legally. A certif icate of incorporation is the document, usually in the form of a receipt for fil ing fees, attesting to the legal existence of a newly formed corporation, issued

by the secretary of state of one of the states. CERTIFY [L. certus / settled, resolved, fixed]

To attest to the truth or authenticity of. To state as certain or fixed. To guaran tee that a check is issued on good and collected funds. To assure in writing that a document or a set of records has been validly maintained. In labor law, the act of the NLRB in designating a particular labor union as the bargaining agent for a group of workers. The act of the clerk of a lower court in passing

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