Legal Definitions - hoc intuitu

Hoc intuitu is a Latin phrase used in Scots law, which translates to "with this in mind" or "in anticipation of this." It describes an action, agreement, or decision made in the present, specifically because a particular future event, outcome, or circumstance is expected, intended, or considered.

Here are some examples to illustrate this concept:

• Imagine a software company that decides to invest a large sum in developing a new, complex feature for its flagship product. They do this hoc intuitu of an upcoming major industry trade show where they plan to unveil the feature, hoping to attract significant media attention and new customers.

  This illustrates hoc intuitu because the substantial investment and development effort are undertaken specifically with the anticipated trade show and its potential benefits in mind. The present action is driven by the expectation of a future event.

• Consider an individual who establishes a specialized trust fund for their young grandchild, earmarking the funds for future educational expenses. They create this trust hoc intuitu of the rising costs of university tuition and the desire to ensure their grandchild has financial support for higher education.

  Here, the act of setting up the trust now is done hoc intuitu of the grandchild's future educational needs. The present financial planning is directly motivated by the expectation of future expenses and the goal of providing for them.

• A property developer purchases several adjacent plots of undeveloped land in a specific rural area. They make this acquisition hoc intuitu of a rumored government plan to construct a new major highway interchange nearby, which would dramatically increase the value and development potential of the land.

  This demonstrates hoc intuitu because the developer's decision to buy the land is made with the specific future event (the highway construction) in mind. Their current investment strategy is predicated on the anticipation of that future development.