Pro

Pro is a Latin term that means, "for."  Back.

Propria persona/Pro se

Propria persona, shortened as pro per and also known as pro se  is a Latin term that means, "In his own person."  Back.

Quasi

Quasi is a Latin term that is often used in civil law (usually prefixed to English words),  that means, “as if.”  Quasi shows the resemblance as well as supposes some distinction between two objects.  In legal parlance, quasi has been used towards showing that one subject has a resemblance in certain aspects to another with which it is compared, but also that both are having material as well as intrinsic differences among them.  Quasi has been used and taken to be meant as, in a certain sense, nearly, resembling, seemingly but not actually.  Back.

Mens rea and Actus reus

Mens Rea, also termed mental element, criminal intent, is a Latin term that means, “guilty mind.”  Mens rea is the state of mind that the defendant had when committing the crime, which must be proved by the prosecution towards securing a conviction for the defendant.  Mens rea is the criminal intent or recklessness.  Mens rea is the second of two essential elements of all crimes at common law, the other being the actus reus.

Actus reus, also termed overt act, deed of crime, is a Latin term that means, “guilty act.”  Actus reus is the forbidden act/crime/wrongful deed that would constitute the physical elements of a crime and that is usually coupled with mens rea towards establishing criminal liability.  For example, in theft, the actus reus for theft is the obtainment of or unlawful control over property without the property owner's consent.  Back.

Suppressio veri & Suggestio falsi

Suppressio veri is a Latin term that means suppression of the truth.  Suppressio veri is a type
of fraud.

Suggestio falsi is a Latin term that means a false representation or
misleading suggestion.  Back.

Modus operandi

Modus operandi, often abbreviated as M.O., is a Latin term that means, “a manner of operating.” Modus operandi is the mode/method of operating particularly with regard to the pattern of criminal behavior that is so distinctive that the investigating officers could attribute it to the work of the same person.

For example, lighting loud firecrackers towards distracting the victims was part of the modus operandi of the bank robbers.  Back.

Ejusdem generis

Ejusdem generis also spelt as eiusdem generis is a Latin term that means “of the same kind or class.” Ejusdem generis also known as the ejusdem generis rule is a canon of construction that when a general word or phrase follows a list of specifics, the general word or phrase will be interpreted to include only items of the same type as those listed.

For example, in the phrase bears, lions, giraffes, tigers, or any other zoo animal, the general language or any other zoo animal in spite of its seeming breadth will most likely be held to include only four-legged animals typically found in zoos, and thus would exclude peacocks.  Back.

Intra vires & Ultra vires

Intra vires is a Latin term that means “within the powers of,” referring to
the authority of a person/organization to take an action.  For example calling a press conference towards disseminating information regarding the company by the company's board of directors is an intra vires action.

Ultra vires has the opposite meaning of intra vires.  Ultra vires means beyond the allowed/granted scope of power as allowed by law.  For example, the police officer was held accountable for his ultra vires actions with regard to leading a search party to search premises.  Back.