Legal Definitions - hoc loco

Hoc loco is a Latin phrase that translates to "in this place" or "at this point." It is used in legal and formal contexts to refer specifically to a particular section of a document, a specific moment in a proceeding, or a particular physical location being discussed.

• Example 1: Referring to a specific clause in a contract

  Imagine a complex business contract that has been amended multiple times. A new addendum might state, "The obligations detailed hoc loco regarding intellectual property rights shall take precedence over any conflicting clauses in the original agreement."

  Explanation: Here, "hoc loco" means that the intellectual property obligations found *in this specific section* of the addendum are the ones that must be followed, even if they contradict something written earlier in the main contract.

• Example 2: A judge's instruction during a trial

  During a complex trial, a judge might instruct the jury, "You must disregard any speculation about the defendant's character and focus solely on the evidence presented hoc loco concerning the events of the night in question."

  Explanation: The judge is directing the jury to consider only the evidence that has been formally presented and admitted *at this specific point in the trial* or *in this particular part of the proceedings*, rather than outside information or personal opinions.

• Example 3: A lawyer making a point in a legal brief

  In a legal brief arguing for a particular interpretation of a statute, a lawyer might write, "The legislative intent is unequivocally demonstrated hoc loco by the plain language of Section 3(b) of the Act."

  Explanation: The lawyer is asserting that the clear meaning of the law's intent is evident *at this specific point in the brief*, by directly referencing and quoting Section 3(b) of the Act that follows.