Legal Definitions - ad ostendendum

Ad ostendendum is a Latin legal phrase that translates to "to show" or "for the purpose of showing." It refers to the act of presenting something, such as evidence, a document, or an object, so that it can be seen, examined, or considered by others, typically a judge, jury, or opposing counsel.

• Example 1: During a product liability trial, a plaintiff's attorney holds up a defective component from a machine for the jury to see.

  Explanation: The attorney is presenting the defective component ad ostendendum, meaning "to show" it directly to the jury as physical evidence to support the claim that the product was faulty.

• Example 2: In a real estate dispute, one party's lawyer submits a series of historical property deeds to the court.

  Explanation: These deeds are submitted ad ostendendum, "to show" the court the chain of ownership and any relevant encumbrances over time, which is crucial for determining the current property rights.

• Example 3: A government agency conducting an administrative hearing asks a witness to point to a specific paragraph in a regulatory document being discussed.

  Explanation: The agency is asking the witness to highlight the paragraph ad ostendendum, "to show" that particular section to all parties present for focused discussion and clarification.