Legal Definitions - licet

Licet is a historical Latin term that translates to "it is permitted," "it is lawful," "it is conceded," or "it is granted." While not commonly used in modern legal language, the concept it represents is fundamental: the idea that something is legally allowed, formally acknowledged, or officially bestowed.

Here are a few examples illustrating the underlying concepts of "licet":

• In a Contractual Agreement: Consider a commercial lease that specifies what a tenant is allowed to do within the rented premises. The lease might state that certain minor alterations, such as painting walls, are permitted without needing explicit landlord approval, provided they meet specific criteria. This reflects the "it is permitted" aspect of licet, outlining actions that are lawful or allowed under the terms of the agreement.

• During Legal Proceedings: In a court case, one party might formally acknowledge a specific fact presented by the opposing side, even if they dispute other aspects of the argument. For instance, a defense attorney might state, "We concede that our client was present at the location, but we dispute any involvement in the alleged incident." This act of formally acknowledging or granting the truth of a particular fact aligns with the "it is conceded" or "it is granted" meaning of licet, narrowing the scope of what needs to be proven.

• Regarding Historical Rights or Privileges: In historical legal systems, a monarch or governing body might issue a decree stating that a particular individual or group was granted the right to perform a specific action, such as collecting tolls on a road or using a certain piece of land. This formal bestowal of a right or privilege, making it lawful for them to act in that way, embodies the "it is lawful" or "it is granted" sense of licet.