Legal Definitions - manu forti

manu forti is a Latin legal phrase that translates to "with a strong hand." In legal contexts, this term describes actions carried out using physical force, violence, or a display of overwhelming power, often in an unlawful or aggressive manner. It signifies an act performed by physical strength or coercion rather than through legal process, consent, or peaceful means.

• Example 1: Imagine a situation where a property owner, believing a squatter has unlawfully occupied their vacant building, decides to take matters into their own hands. Instead of pursuing a legal eviction, the owner gathers several strong individuals, breaks down the building's reinforced door, and physically removes the squatter's belongings while the squatter is present, intimidating them into leaving.

  Explanation: This scenario illustrates *manu forti* because the property owner used physical force (breaking the door) and a show of strength (multiple individuals, intimidation) to regain possession, bypassing the established legal procedures for eviction. The "strong hand" refers to the direct, forceful action taken.

• Example 2: Consider a dispute between two neighbors over a shared fence line. One neighbor, convinced the fence is on their property, unilaterally decides to move it. They hire a crew with heavy equipment to physically tear down the existing fence and erect a new one several feet into what the other neighbor claims is their land, despite ongoing discussions and lack of agreement.

  Explanation: The act of tearing down and rebuilding the fence using heavy equipment and a crew, without the other neighbor's consent or a court order, demonstrates *manu forti*. It represents a forceful assertion of a claim through physical action rather than through negotiation or legal resolution.

• Example 3: A company's former employee, who was recently terminated, attempts to retrieve personal tools left in their old workspace. When denied entry by security, the employee becomes enraged and physically shoves a security guard aside, forcing their way into the building to grab their items.

  Explanation: The employee's action of physically shoving the security guard and forcing entry into the building exemplifies *manu forti*. It involves the use of physical strength and aggression to overcome an obstacle and gain access, rather than following proper procedures for retrieving personal property.