Latin for Lawyers

DE COMPUTO

resolved by a declaration of rights and duties. Provision for declaratory judg ment in the federal courts is made in 28 U.S.C.A. 2201. DE COMPUTO [L. de + computare / to calculate, compute] A writ requiring the defendant to give an accounting to the plaintiff. The fore runner of the action of account or for an accounting. DE CONCILIS CURIAE By direction of the court. DECREE [L. decernere / to decide, determine] Originally, a determination on the merits by a court of chancery or equity. This distinguished a decree from a judgment , which was normally awarded only in courts of law. The distinction is ignored by most modern courts. DECREE ABSOLVITOR A decree of acquittal in a criminal matter. DECREE NISI [L. nisi / if not, unless] A provisional decree of divorce, which becomes absolute only upon the pas sage of a specified interval of time, usually six months. Also, a decree which becomes effective at a future date in the absence of an intervening application or order; or a provisional decree which becomes final only on the entry of a final order following a motion. DECREE NUN PRO TUNC An order of a court which has retroactive effect, usually as of a date specified; generally used to correct some defect in a pleading or other proceeding. See NUNC PRO TUNC DECREE PRO CONFESSO A decree in an action in equity in favor of the plaintiff upon the defendant’s default. See PRO CONFESSO DEDICATE [L. dedicare / to point out, indicate; to dedicate] To commit to a particular purpose or end. To devote to. To set apart for a spe cific use. To donate or commit private property to public use. To surrender a copyright or patent to public use, or to release to the public material or prop erty which is entitled to protection under a copyright or patent. DE DIE IN DIEM From day to day.

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