Legal Definitions - ordinatum est

Ordinatum est is a historical Latin phrase that translates to "It is ordered." In legal contexts, particularly in historical court documents written in Latin, these words would typically appear at the very beginning of a formal court order or decree. They served to introduce the court's official command or directive, signaling that what followed was a binding instruction from the judicial authority.

• Example 1: Ordering a Payment

  Imagine a medieval court resolving a dispute between two merchants over an unpaid debt. After hearing the arguments, the judge might issue a formal decree stating, "Ordinatum est that the defendant, Master Thomas, shall pay the sum of 50 silver pieces to the plaintiff, Lady Eleanor, within seven days."

  This example illustrates "Ordinatum est" introducing the court's binding command for Master Thomas to fulfill his financial obligation, making it an official and enforceable order.

• Example 2: Directing a Specific Action

  Consider a historical case where a landowner was accused of encroaching on a neighbor's property. The court, after deliberation, might issue an order to rectify the situation. The document could begin, "Ordinatum est that the stone wall erected by Sir Reginald upon the lands of Baroness Isabella shall be dismantled and relocated to the agreed boundary line by the next full moon."

  In this instance, "Ordinatum est" precedes a specific, actionable directive from the court, compelling Sir Reginald to take a particular physical action to resolve the property dispute.

• Example 3: Issuing a Prohibition

  In a situation where a guild member was attempting to operate a business without proper authorization, a guild court or municipal court might issue a prohibitory order. The official document could state, "Ordinatum est that Master John shall cease all unauthorized trade within the city limits until such time as he obtains the necessary guild charter."

  This example shows "Ordinatum est" introducing a court's command to stop a particular activity, functioning as a historical form of injunction or cease-and-desist order.