Legal Definitions - ad vitam

Ad vitam is a Latin legal term meaning for life. It refers to something that is granted, appointed, or continues for the duration of a person's natural life.

Here are some examples to illustrate its application:

• Judicial Appointment: In some legal systems, a judge may be appointed to a high court ad vitam. This means their tenure on the bench is for the remainder of their life, rather than for a fixed number of years. For instance, a Supreme Court justice in a country with lifetime appointments serves until they retire, resign, or pass away, embodying an ad vitam appointment.

• Pension or Annuity: An individual who has contributed to a pension fund throughout their career might receive an annuity that pays out ad vitam upon retirement. This signifies that the regular payments will continue for the entirety of their life, providing financial support until their death.

• Grant of Use: A will might stipulate that a specific family member is granted the right to live in a particular property ad vitam. This means that the beneficiary has the legal right to reside in and use the property for as long as they live, even if they do not own the property outright. After their death, the right would cease, and the property would typically pass to another designated heir.