Sine qua non

Sine qua non is a Latin term that means, “without which not.” Sine qua non means, a condition or thing that cannot be done without. Sine qua non is something on which something else depends to the point of indispensability . Sine qua non is also known as "conditio sine qua non."  Back.

Ipso facto

Ipso facto is a Latin term that means “by the fact itself.”  Ipso facto means by the very nature of the situation.  For example, if 85% of all deaths are being caused by automobile accidents, then ipso facto, the authorities need to take action to prevent incidence of such accidents through the various means at its disposal.  Back.

Doli capax & Doli incapax

Doli capax is a Latin term that means, “capable of wrong.” The term means the capability of a person to commit a crime or tort.  Usually, it means, to be old enough to know/determine right from wrong.  It has also been termed capax
doli.

Now, we come to a term that is the opposite of the abovementioned term, "doli capax," and that is doli incapax.  Doli incapax is a Latin term that means, “incapable of wrong." The term means the incapability of a person to commit a crime or tort.  It has also been termed incapax doli.  Back.

Alibi

Alibi is a Latin term that means elsewhere.   Alibi is a form of defense based on the physical impossibility of the defendant having committed the crime by the placement of the defendant in a location and time that is different from the scene and time of the crime that has been charged against him.  In short, alibi means defendant's being elsewhere when the offense that has been alluded to the defendant was committed.  Back.

Amicus curiae

Amicus curiae is a Latin term that means, “friend of the court.”  The person is said to be a friend of the court or an amicus curiae (most often shortened to "amicus") when the said person is not a party to a lawsuit, but petitions the court, or the said person is requested by the court to file a brief in the action due to the reason that that person has a strong interest with respect to the subject matter.  Back.

Sub judice

Sub judice is a Latin term which means under a judge.  Sub judice means before the court for determination.  Back.

Layman

The word "layman" denotes, on the one hand, a  person who is not of a particular profession or an expert on a particular subject and on the other hand the word denotes a person who is not a member of the clergy

It is to be noted that layman and layperson are used interchangeably.  See also laity.   Back.

Laity

The word "laity" denotes collectively, persons who are not members of the clergy, taken singularly, the person is called a "layman" or "layperson," (both terms are used interchangeably). Back.