Legal Definitions - ad judicium provocare

Ad judicium provocare is a Latin legal phrase meaning to summon to court or to commence a legal action. It refers to the act of formally initiating a lawsuit or bringing a dispute before a judicial body for resolution.

• Example 1 (Contract Dispute):

  A software development company discovers that a client has failed to pay for services rendered, despite multiple invoices and attempts at negotiation. The company decides to file a lawsuit against the client to recover the outstanding payment.

  Explanation: By filing the lawsuit, the software development company is engaging in ad judicium provocare, as it is formally commencing a legal action to bring the payment dispute before a court for resolution.

• Example 2 (Divorce Proceedings):

  After years of marriage, a couple decides to legally separate. One spouse files a petition for divorce with the family court, outlining the terms they seek regarding asset division and child custody.

  Explanation: The act of filing the divorce petition constitutes ad judicium provocare because it formally initiates a legal process in court, summoning the other spouse and the marital issues to be addressed by a judge.

• Example 3 (Challenging an Administrative Decision):

  An individual applies for a specific permit from a local government agency, but their application is denied. Believing the denial was arbitrary and unlawful, the individual decides to appeal the agency's decision to an administrative court or a higher judicial body.

  Explanation: When the individual files the appeal, they are performing ad judicium provocare by formally challenging the agency's decision and bringing the matter before a court for judicial review and potential reversal.