Legal Definitions - P.P.

The abbreviation P.P. can stand for two different legal concepts:

• 1. Per Procurationem

  When P.P. stands for Per Procurationem (Latin for "by agency" or "through the agency of"), it indicates that a person is signing a document or acting on behalf of another individual or entity, with their express authority. It signifies that the signer has been delegated the power to act for the principal, and the signature carries the principal's legal weight. This is often used in business or administrative contexts to show that the person signing is doing so in an authorized representative capacity.

  • Example 1: An executive assistant signs a letter addressed to a client with "p.p. [Assistant's Name]" below the manager's typed name. The assistant has the manager's explicit permission to sign routine correspondence on their behalf.

    Explanation: The "p.p." here indicates that while the assistant physically signed the letter, they did so with the authority and on behalf of the manager, making the letter legally attributable to the manager.

  • Example 2: A junior associate at a law firm signs a document acknowledging receipt of discovery materials from opposing counsel, using "p.p. [Junior Associate's Name]" under the senior partner's name.

    Explanation: This signifies that the junior associate is acting under the delegated authority of the senior partner to handle this administrative task, and the acknowledgment is legally binding as if signed by the partner.

  • Example 3: A company's finance officer signs a routine banking form for the CEO, appending "p.p. [Finance Officer's Name]" next to the CEO's printed name.

    Explanation: The finance officer is exercising a specific, authorized power to sign on behalf of the CEO, ensuring the bank understands the signature carries the CEO's corporate authority.

• 2. Propria Persona

  When P.P. stands for Propria Persona (Latin for "in one's own proper person"), it refers to an individual who chooses to represent themselves in a legal proceeding without the assistance of an attorney. This is often shortened to "pro per" or "pro se" in common legal parlance. When someone acts propria persona, they are responsible for handling all aspects of their case, including filing documents, presenting arguments, and adhering to court procedures.

  • Example 1: A tenant, unhappy with their landlord's failure to return a security deposit, files a lawsuit in small claims court and appears before the judge without hiring a lawyer.

    Explanation: The tenant is acting propria persona by representing themselves directly in court.

  • Example 2: An individual going through an uncontested divorce decides to complete and file all the necessary paperwork themselves, rather than engaging a family law attorney.

    Explanation: By handling their own divorce proceedings, the individual is proceeding propria persona.

  • Example 3: A small business owner appeals a local zoning board's decision to deny a permit, presenting their own arguments and evidence at the administrative hearing.

    Explanation: The business owner is acting propria persona by advocating for their own interests without legal counsel in a formal setting.