Legal Definitions - in haec verba

The phrase in haec verba translates from Latin to "in these words," meaning verbatim or word-for-word. In legal practice, it refers to the act of reproducing the exact language of a document, such as a contract, statute, or previous court order, within another legal filing like a complaint, motion, or brief. This is done when the precise wording is critically important to the legal argument being presented, ensuring there is no room for misinterpretation or summary.

Here are some examples of how in haec verba is used:

• Contract Dispute: Imagine a small business suing a supplier for failing to deliver goods on time, as specified in their purchasing agreement. In their legal complaint, the business would likely quote in haec verba the exact clause from the contract that outlines the delivery schedule and any penalties for delay. This allows the court to immediately see the precise contractual obligations that were allegedly breached without having to review the entire contract document.

• Defamation Lawsuit: If an individual files a lawsuit against a news publication for printing false and damaging statements about them, their complaint would typically include the exact defamatory words. The plaintiff would reproduce these specific statements in haec verba to clearly establish for the court precisely what was said and why it constitutes defamation under the law.

• Challenging a Will: Suppose a beneficiary believes a specific condition within a deceased person's will is ambiguous or legally unenforceable. When filing a petition in probate court to challenge this condition, their legal document would reproduce in haec verba the exact wording of the disputed clause from the will. This ensures the court can directly analyze the precise language in question when making a ruling on its validity.