Legal terminology · Courts & proceedings
sua sponte — On one's own initiative
sua sponte means on one's own initiative. Latin source words and legal terminology examples: Acting sua sponte.
Meaning and source words
Meaning: On one's own initiative
- Latin: sua sponte
Examples and word parts
Acting sua sponte
A court raises an issue or takes an action without a party first asking it to do so.
Word parts: sua (one's own) + sponte (will)
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Related courts & proceedings terms
- habeas corpus — Review of detention
A petition for habeas corpus
- amicus curiae — Friend of the court
An amicus brief
- pro se — For oneself
A pro se litigant
- pro bono — For the public good
Pro bono representation
- subpoena — An order to appear or produce material
A subpoena for records
- in camera — In private judicial consideration
An in camera review
- ex parte — From one side
An ex parte application
- in limine — At the threshold
A motion in limine
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.