Legal Definitions - aequus

aequus means "equal" or "even." In legal contexts, this Latin term often appears in phrases like ex aequo or ex aequis, which translate to "from equality" or "equally," signifying a fair, impartial, or even distribution or treatment.

• Example 1: Business Partnership Agreement

  Consider a partnership agreement between two individuals starting a new venture. The agreement might stipulate that all profits and losses from the business will be shared ex aequo between the partners.

  This illustrates aequus because it mandates an equal division of financial outcomes, ensuring that each partner receives an even share of profits and bears an even share of losses, reflecting a principle of equality in their business relationship.

• Example 2: Judicial Ruling on Access

  In a multi-party lawsuit where several plaintiffs are suing the same defendant, a judge might issue an order stating that all plaintiffs will be granted ex aequo access to a specific set of discovery documents, regardless of the individual nuances of their claims.

  Here, aequus signifies the judge's decision to provide equal and even access to information, treating all plaintiffs impartially in this procedural aspect to ensure fairness in the litigation process.

• Example 3: Distribution of Public Resources

  A municipal government receives a grant to fund community improvement projects in three different neighborhoods. The city council decides to allocate the grant funds ex aequo among the three neighborhoods, ensuring each receives an identical amount for their projects.

  This demonstrates aequus by showing an equal and even distribution of public resources, where each eligible neighborhood receives the same share of the grant money.