Legal Definitions - et adjournatur

Et adjournatur is a historical Latin phrase that translates to "and it is adjourned." In old legal reports and court records, this phrase was used to indicate that a court proceeding, particularly the argument of a case, was postponed to a later date, or that a second argument session was scheduled to take place.

Here are some examples illustrating its historical application:

• Imagine a complex land ownership dispute in 17th-century England. After several days of intricate legal arguments presented by barristers, the court, recognizing the need for more time to carefully review the extensive evidence and legal precedents, might have recorded "et adjournatur" in its minutes. This notation would signify that the current session of arguments was paused and would resume on a specified future date, allowing the judges ample time for deliberation.

  This illustrates how the phrase was used when the argument of a case was postponed to another day due to its complexity or the need for further judicial consideration.

• Consider a historical criminal appeal where, during the initial presentation of arguments, a crucial new piece of evidence or a novel legal interpretation was introduced that significantly altered the case's direction. The court, needing both sides to prepare responses to this new development, would have noted "et adjournatur". This would indicate that the initial argument was suspended, and a subsequent, more focused argument session would be held later to address the new information.

  This illustrates the use of the phrase when a second argument was deemed necessary, often due to new information or a shift in legal strategy.

• In a landmark case from the 18th century involving a novel point of commercial law, where no clear legal precedent existed, the judges might have heard initial arguments but felt they required more time to research and confer amongst themselves before making a decision. They could have used "et adjournatur" to record that the arguments were paused, and the case would be brought back for further discussion or a second round of arguments after the court had conducted its own deeper legal analysis and consultation.

  This illustrates both the postponement of arguments for judicial deliberation and the potential for a subsequent argument session after the court's internal review.