Legal Definitions - eundo et redeundo

Eundo et redeundo is a Latin legal principle that translates to "going and returning." This concept refers to a legal protection or immunity granted to individuals while they are traveling to a specific place or event for a legal purpose, and then returning from it. The primary aim of this principle is to ensure that individuals can fulfill their legal duties or participate in legal proceedings without undue interference or harassment during their necessary travel.

• Example 1: A Witness Traveling for Testimony

  Imagine a key witness in a court case who lives in a different county or state. This witness is required to travel a considerable distance to the courthouse to provide testimony. The principle of eundo et redeundo would protect this witness during their journey to the courthouse and their return trip home after testifying. This means that, generally, they could not be served with new legal documents for an unrelated lawsuit during this specific travel period. This protection ensures that witnesses can fulfill their civic duty to the court without being sidetracked or burdened by other legal actions.

• Example 2: A Legislator Attending a Session

  Consider a member of a state legislature who must travel from their home district to the state capital to attend a legislative session. During their travel to the capital and their return journey after the session concludes, the principle of eundo et redeundo might provide them with certain privileges. For instance, they might be immune from arrest in civil cases or from being served with civil process. This protection allows legislators to attend to their official duties without fear of being detained or served with papers that could disrupt their legislative responsibilities.

• Example 3: A Party Attending a Deposition

  Suppose a party involved in a lawsuit is compelled to travel to a different city to attend a deposition, which is a formal interview under oath. While this individual is traveling to the deposition location and then returning to their home, the concept of eundo et redeundo could apply. This principle would typically prevent them from being served with papers for a *new* lawsuit by a different party during this specific travel period. This ensures that individuals can focus on participating in the existing legal proceeding they are required to attend without being unexpectedly drawn into additional legal conflicts.