Legal terminology · Responsibility & conduct
mala in se — Wrongs considered inherently wrongful
mala in se means wrongs considered inherently wrongful. Latin source words and legal terminology examples: Conduct described as mala in se.
Meaning and source words
Meaning: Wrongs considered inherently wrongful
- Latin: mala in se
Examples and word parts
Conduct described as mala in se
Conduct regarded as wrongful in itself, contrasted with conduct prohibited by a particular rule.
Word parts: mala (wrongs) + in (in) + se (themselves)
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Related responsibility & conduct terms
- mens rea — Required mental state
Proving mens rea
- actus reus — Prohibited conduct
The actus reus of an offense
- bona fide — In good faith
A bona fide transaction
- mala fide — In bad faith
A claim of mala fide conduct
- ultra vires — Beyond one's powers
An ultra vires act
- in loco parentis — In the place of a parent
Acting in loco parentis
- res ipsa loquitur — The thing speaks for itself
Invoking res ipsa loquitur
- respondeat superior — Let the superior answer
Liability under respondeat superior
Sources and usage
From the Word Radicals legal terminology collection. Source words and word parts are learning references; modern meanings can differ from their classical sources.