Legal Definitions - in causa

In causa is a Latin phrase that historically means "in the cause" or "within the case." It refers to anything that is officially part of a specific legal proceeding or lawsuit. This includes documents filed, evidence presented, or actions taken that are directly related to and recorded within the particular legal matter at hand.

Here are some examples to illustrate this term:

• Imagine a lawyer submitting a critical financial report to the court as part of a divorce settlement. This report, once formally filed and accepted by the court, becomes an item in causa. It is now an official part of the court record for that specific divorce proceeding, to be considered by the judge when making a decision.

• During a property dispute, a surveyor's detailed map of the land in question is presented as evidence. Once this map is formally introduced and admitted by the court, it is considered to be in causa. This means it is officially part of the evidence for that particular legal case, and its contents will be weighed alongside other facts.

• A judge issues a temporary restraining order against a company to prevent it from destroying certain documents relevant to an ongoing antitrust investigation. This order, once formally issued and recorded, is an action taken in causa. It is a directive made specifically within the context and scope of that particular antitrust legal proceeding, directly impacting the parties involved.