Legal terminology · Decisions & reasoning
per se — In itself
per se means in itself. Latin source words and legal terminology examples: A per se rule.
Meaning and source words
Meaning: In itself
- Latin: per se
Examples and word parts
A per se rule
A rule that classifies specified conduct by its nature, subject to the requirements of the relevant doctrine.
Word parts: per (by) + se (itself)
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Related decisions & reasoning terms
- de novo — Anew
De novo review
- stare decisis — Follow precedent
Reliance on stare decisis
- res judicata — Claim preclusion
A res judicata argument
- ratio decidendi — Reason for deciding
Identifying the ratio decidendi
- obiter dictum — An incidental judicial remark
An observation described as dictum
- prima facie — At first appearance
Prima facie evidence
- a fortiori — With stronger reason
An a fortiori argument
- ad hoc — For this purpose
An ad hoc committee
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.