Legal Definitions - ipse

Ipse refers to the exact same person, thing, or statement that has been previously mentioned or is clearly understood. It is used to emphasize identity and directness, confirming that it is indeed "the very one" in question.

• Example 1: Witness Identification

  During a criminal trial, a key witness, when asked to identify the perpetrator, pointed to the defendant and stated, "That is ipse, the individual I saw committing the act."

  Explanation: Here, "ipse" emphasizes that the witness is identifying the defendant as the very person they observed, leaving no room for doubt about the identity of the perpetrator.

• Example 2: Document Verification

  In a dispute over a property sale, the judge carefully examined the deed presented by the plaintiff and declared, "This document is ipse, the original and valid instrument of transfer, not a forgery or a draft."

  Explanation: In this context, "ipse" confirms that the deed is the very document that holds legal authority and was officially executed, distinguishing it from any other similar but non-binding papers.

• Example 3: Attributing Authority

  An attorney, citing a previous court decision, argued, "The precedent set by the Supreme Court in Roe v. Wade is ipse, directly governing the constitutional question before this court today."

  Explanation: This usage of "ipse" highlights that the attorney believes the cited Supreme Court decision is the very authority or ruling that should be applied to the current case, due to its direct relevance and binding nature.