audi alteram partem [= hear the other side] - a principle of natural justice that no-one shall be condemned unheard.
bona fide - in good faith.
certiorari - a writ issued by a higher to an inferior court ordering it to certify its ruling in a dispute; an application to have a matter heard in a higher court.
cur. adv. vult [curia advisari vult = the court wishes to be advised] - a judgment which was not delivered immediately, but after some consideration.
de jure - by right
estoppel - a rule of evidence which prevents a witness denying the truth of his/her earlier statement.
ex cathedra - without official authority.
ex curia - out of court.
ex officio - by virtue of office.
ex parte - an application made (a) by an interested person not party to the proceedings, or (b) by one party in the other's absence.
ex post facto - retrospectively.
in statu pupillari - in the position of a pupil.
injunction - a court order requiring a person or body to perform, or refrain from, a particular action.
inter alia - amongst other things.
judicial review - application to the high court for orders of mandamus or certioriari or for an injunction concerning the decision or procedure of a public body.
mala fides - bad faith.
malfeasance - unlawful action.
mandamus [= we command] - writ issued by the high court ordering a person or body to perform a public duty (see judicial review).
negligence - a tort, actionable for a breach of a duty of care or for an injury.
obiter dictum [= a saying by the way] - a comment made in passing by a judge.
per curiam - by the court.
per rem (res) judicatam - an issue already adjudged.
pro tanto - to that extent.
quaere - query or question.
quo warranto [= by what authority] - a writ by the crown against a person or body who usurped their office or authority.
tort - an act which, intentionally or unintentionally, causes harm or injury or loss to another person.
ultra vires [= outside the powers] - an act or decision made by a person or body outside the authority conferred on it by law.
AC or A.C. - Appeal Cases
All ER or All E.R. - All England Reports
CA or C.A. - Court of Appeal
Ch - Chancery Division
ELR or E.L.R. - English Law Reports
EWCA - Court of Appeal
EWHC - High Court
HL or H.L. - House of Lords
J or J. (after name) - Justice
KB or K.B. or KBD - King's Bench Division
LJ or LJ. (after name) - Lord Justice (of the Court of Appeal) LJJ plural
MR or M.R. - Master of the Rolls
QB or Q.B. or QBD - Queen's Bench Division
V-C or V.-C. - Vice Chancellor
WLR or W.L.R. - Weekly Law Reports