Legal Definitions - aller a Dieu

aller a Dieu

"aller a Dieu" is an archaic legal phrase derived from Law French, which literally translates to "to go to God." In a legal context, this phrase historically represented a formal request or a judicial pronouncement for a case to be dismissed from court, thereby bringing the legal proceedings to an end. It signifies a desire for the matter to be concluded and removed from the court's active consideration.

• Imagine a court in 17th-century England presiding over a protracted property dispute that has consumed significant time and resources without resolution. If the judge, weary of the endless procedural arguments and convinced that no further progress can be made, were to declare, "This matter has run its course; let us aller a Dieu," it would signify the court's decision to dismiss the case, effectively ending the litigation. This illustrates the term's use as a judicial pronouncement to conclude a case.

• Consider a historical scenario where a defendant in a civil action believes the plaintiff's claims are entirely without merit and lack any legal basis. After presenting arguments demonstrating the frivolous nature of the suit, the defendant's counsel might formally petition the court, stating, "My Lord, we respectfully pray this court to aller a Dieu on this matter," thereby requesting the immediate dismissal of the baseless charges. This demonstrates the phrase being used by a party to seek the dismissal of a case.

• In a modern legal history class, a professor might explain that while contemporary courts use specific procedural tools like a "motion to dismiss," the underlying principle of ending litigation when appropriate has ancient roots. The professor might elaborate, "When a defense attorney today files a motion to dismiss a lawsuit for failure to state a claim, they are, in essence, making a modern plea for the court to aller a Dieu on the case, asking for it to be removed from the court's docket." This example clarifies the historical concept by drawing a parallel to modern legal procedures aimed at achieving case dismissal.