ab initio

from the beginning

prima facie

at first appearance

pro bono publico

for the public good

pendente lite ;

while judgment is pending

inter alia

among other things

in camera

in private; "in a room"

ex parte

from a part/party An ex parte decision is one decided by a judge without requiring all of the parties to the controversy to be present

Anton Piller

Anton Piller order (frequently misspelt Anton Pillar order) is a court order which provides for the right to search premises and seize evidence without prior warning. This is used in order to prevent the destruction of incriminating evidence , particularly in cases of alleged trademark , copyright or patent infringements.

ad infinitum

for ever

sine die

without day/date

casus belli

a ground for war

force majeure

extraordinary event or circumstance beyond the control of the parties

restitutio in integrum

complete restoration, putting back as new

lingua franca

international language ("Frank tongue" - the Arabs in the middle ages called all Europeans "Franks" - though strictly applying only to the Teutonic tribes who conquered Gaul in 6th century AD. It was a mediterranean mixture of Italian, French, Greek, Arabic mutually understood)

nemo debet esse iudex in propria

nobody must be a judge in his own [case]

per contra

the opposite

sub judice

pending; lit "under the judge"

lis pendens

a case in progress

ultra vires

in excess of the power possessed; "beyond strength"

habeas corpus

"you are to produce the body"

exempli gratia

for sake of example [e.g.]

mandamus

A writ [so called from "We command..."]

subpoena

a writ commanding a person to appear in court to give evidence

affidavit

a sworn deposition

quantum

amount; "how much"

res ipsa loquitur

open and shut case; "the thing itself speaks"

modus operandi

method of working

scandalum magnum

a great stumbling-block (original meaning of "scandal")

caveat feles obesus

Let the fat cat watch out!