Legal Definitions - a cel jour

A cel jour is a legal phrase that means "as of this day" or "currently." It is used to refer to the present time or the current state of affairs when a statement is being made, a document is being drafted, or a legal situation is being described.

Here are some examples to illustrate its use:

• Example 1: Imagine a judge in a very old court case, delivering a ruling on a property dispute that has spanned generations. The judge might state, "The ownership of this parcel of land, a cel jour, is hereby confirmed to the descendants of the original claimant."

  Explanation: In this context, "a cel jour" signifies that the judge's ruling on ownership is effective and true as of the present day, the moment the judgment is being delivered, settling the long-standing dispute.

• Example 2: Consider an ancient legal treatise discussing the evolution of certain rights. A passage might read, "While the feudal system once dictated land tenure, the rights of tenants a cel jour are protected by comprehensive statutory frameworks."

  Explanation: Here, "a cel jour" highlights the contrast between historical legal practices and the legal protections that exist in the present day for tenants, demonstrating how laws and rights have changed over time.

• Example 3: In a historical legal document, such as a will or a deed from centuries ago, a clause might specify, "I, the undersigned, declare that all my worldly goods, a cel jour, are free from encumbrance and debt."

  Explanation: This statement uses "a cel jour" to affirm that, at the time the document was created and signed, the person's assets were unburdened, providing a snapshot of their financial status at that specific "present day."