Legal Definitions - ad alium diem

Ad alium diem is a Latin legal phrase that translates to "to another day." It is used to indicate that a legal proceeding, hearing, or other scheduled event has been postponed or rescheduled for a later date.

Here are some examples to illustrate its application:

• Imagine a situation where a key witness in a civil lawsuit falls ill unexpectedly on the morning of their scheduled testimony. The judge, understanding the importance of their evidence, might declare that the hearing will be moved ad alium diem. This means the court session is not canceled entirely, but rather postponed to a new, future date when the witness is available to testify, ensuring the proceedings can continue fairly.

• Consider a complex corporate litigation case where the attorneys for both sides have spent months preparing for a critical deposition. However, the lead counsel for one party suddenly has an unavoidable conflict, such as an emergency in another court. In such a scenario, the parties might agree, or the court might order, that the deposition be rescheduled ad alium diem, allowing the essential legal work to proceed at a more suitable time for all involved.

• During a criminal trial, new evidence might emerge unexpectedly that requires further investigation and analysis by both the prosecution and defense. To ensure a fair process and allow adequate time for both sides to review the new information, the judge could decide to adjourn the trial ad alium diem. This action postpones the continuation of the trial to a later date, giving the legal teams the necessary time to prepare their responses to the new developments.