Legal Definitions - cadit quaestio

Cadit quaestio is a Latin phrase that translates to "the question falls" or "the dispute is over." It is used to indicate that a particular point of contention, a debate, or a specific question has become irrelevant, resolved, or unnecessary due to a new fact, a definitive answer, or a change in circumstances. Essentially, it means there is no longer any basis for further discussion or argument on that specific matter.

Here are some examples illustrating the application of "cadit quaestio":

• Imagine a business meeting where the board is intensely debating whether to invest in a new product line, with strong arguments for and against its market viability. Suddenly, an urgent news alert comes in announcing that a major competitor has just launched an identical product, effectively saturating the market. At this point, the question of whether to invest in that specific product line becomes moot.

  This illustrates "cadit quaestio" because the new, critical information (the competitor's launch) definitively resolves the debate about market viability, making further discussion on that particular investment unnecessary.

• Consider a legal dispute where two parties are arguing over the ownership of a particular antique vase. The central question revolves around who purchased it first. If a previously unknown, notarized bill of sale with a clear date and signature is discovered and authenticated, unequivocally showing one party as the first purchaser, then the question of ownership, based on the original purchase, is settled.

  Here, "cadit quaestio" applies because the discovery of the definitive bill of sale provides an irrefutable answer to the core question of ownership, ending that specific point of contention.

• A group of friends is planning a weekend trip and debating which city to visit, weighing the pros and cons of various destinations. While they are discussing, one friend receives a message that a major, unavoidable family event has been scheduled for that same weekend, requiring everyone's presence in a specific location. The debate about which city to visit for the trip immediately ceases.

  This is an example of "cadit quaestio" because the new, overriding circumstance (the family event) renders the previous discussion about trip destinations completely irrelevant, as the location is now predetermined.