Legal Terminology
- Terms not to italicize: arguendo, eg, ie, in limine, prima facie, pro hac vice, pro se, quantum meruit, res judicata
- Terms to italicize: in forma pauperis, inter alia
Ex Parte Order
A judicial order is ex parte when taken for one party without notice to others.
Pro Se Representation
- Pro se means defending oneself without legal representation.
- A pro se defendant represents oneself in court without counsel.
- Avoid italicizing familiar Latin terms like per se, pro se, and status quo.
Using Per Se
- The phrase “per se” does not have to be italicized.
- Use italics for foreign words not integrated into English language.
Pro Per and Pro Se
- Pro Per and Pro Se are used interchangeably.
- The terms apply to someone who represents themselves in legal proceedings.
Pro Se in Court
- Pro se refers to representing yourself without legal counsel.
Self-Representation
- In pro per means self-representation.
Pro Se Litigants
- Pro se litigants represent themselves.
- The success of a pro se case is determined by a qualified attorney.
Pro se Success
- Pro se defendants may have inherent bias due to limited perspectives.
Per Se
- Foreign words in the English dictionary do not need italicization.
Pro Se Definition
- Pro se is Latin for “in one’s own behalf.”
- Pro se litigants can act as their own attorneys.
Writing Terminology
- Prose is free-flowing language without structure.
Legal Representation
- Pro Se litigants can represent themselves in court.
Defining Per Se
- Per se is an adverb meaning “by itself.”
- No comma is needed before per se.