Legal Definitions - ideo consideratum est

Ideo consideratum est is a Latin phrase meaning "therefore it is considered." Historically, these words served as a formal introduction to a court's final decision or judgment within common law systems. Over time, the phrase itself evolved to become a concise reference for the judgment itself—the official, binding resolution issued by a court after careful deliberation of the facts and applicable law presented in a case. It signifies the court's conclusive determination and the formal end to a legal dispute.

• Example 1: Imagine a historical court proceeding in 17th-century England concerning a boundary dispute between two landowners. After hearing all testimony and reviewing deeds, the presiding judge would formally declare, "Ideo consideratum est," before detailing the specific ruling that established the correct property line and ordered the parties to abide by it. The Latin phrase signaled that the decision was the court's final, deliberated conclusion on the matter.

  Explanation: This illustrates the term's original use as a solemn preface to a court's definitive ruling, emphasizing that the judgment was the result of judicial consideration and was now being formally pronounced.

• Example 2: In a modern civil lawsuit where a plaintiff has successfully sued a construction company for faulty workmanship, the jury might return a verdict in favor of the plaintiff. The judge would then issue a formal written document, often titled "Judgment," which orders the construction company to pay a specific amount in damages. While the judge wouldn't literally utter "ideo consideratum est," this entire written judgment embodies the spirit of the phrase, representing the court's final, considered determination based on the jury's findings and the law.

  Explanation: This example demonstrates how the underlying concept of "ideo consideratum est"—the court's final, considered, and binding decision—remains central to legal judgments today, even if the specific Latin words are no longer spoken aloud.

• Example 3: Following a complex commercial dispute over a breached supply contract, the court might issue a comprehensive judgment that not only finds one party liable but also includes specific orders for restitution, an injunction preventing certain future actions, and a schedule for payment. This entire formal document, detailing the court's reasoning, findings, and the remedies granted, is what "ideo consideratum est" conceptually refers to—the complete and binding resolution of all legal issues presented in the case.

  Explanation: This highlights that "ideo consideratum est" refers to the comprehensive, binding resolution of a legal dispute, encompassing all the specific orders and remedies contained within the court's final judgment, which brings the litigation to a close.