Latin for Lawyers

L ATIN FOR L AWYERS

VERITATEM DICERE [L. veritas / the truth + dico , dicere / to speak or say] (Will you) speak the truth. Words spoken or read to a venireman during the preliminary examination into his qualifications to serve on the jury. VERSUS (V., VS.) [L. verto , vertere / to turn, turn around; to drive away, rout] Against. In contrast or opposition to. Used in the title of an action between the name of the plaintiff and the name of the defendant to indicate that there is a conflict pending between them which has been submitted to the court for resolution. VERTICAL [L. vertex / the head; the crown] Perpendicular or at right angles to the plane made by the horizon. Running directly upwards. Occupying the zenith or highest point. Vertical integration is the integration in one company or group of companies of all related indus trial or commercial activity, from the source of production to the point of sale. A simple vertical agreement is an agreement between buyer and seller of a particular commodity; e.g., an agreement between a distributor and a retailer. A vertical merger is the merger of two businesses that have a buyer seller relationship. The merger of the seller into the buyer is a forward merger . The merger of the buyer into the seller is a backward merger . Vertical price-fixing contracts are contracts under which two companies in a vertical production-and-sale relationship agree to fix and/or maintain prices between Vest: To come to rest in. To place in, or grant or transfer to, some person the right to present and/or future enjoyment of an asset or estate. To pass title to property, as in the case of an intestate decedent to his heir. To descend to; to take effect in. To clothe with possession or give possession to. Also, to confer authority or power to, as to vest all legislative powers in the Congress. To give unconditional rights to, as to vest in qualified employees the benefits of a company pension plan. Vested: Ownership or possession without condition or restraint. Fully established and accrued. Fixed in scope. A vested right is a property interest belonging unconditionally to someone and which cannot be impaired or annulled. A vested estate is any present or future estate which is unconditional and not subject to any performance by the holder. VETO [L. veto , vetare / to forbid or prohibit] To reject. To refuse to accept or approve. To exercise the power of an agency of government to prevent action by another agency of government. If by the President, to veto is to prevent an act of Congress from becoming law by refusing or neglecting to approve it. A legislative veto is the name given to a resolution or act of Congress nullifying a rule or regulation of an administra- them. These contracts are forbidden by the anti-trust laws. VEST, VESTED [L. vestio , vestire / to dress or clothe]

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