Legal Definitions - Passim

Passim is a Latin term meaning "throughout" or "here and there." In legal and academic writing, it is used to indicate that a particular point, idea, or reference is not confined to a single page or specific section but appears repeatedly or is discussed extensively across various parts of the cited source. It suggests a pervasive presence of the information rather than a single, pinpointed location.

While historically common, modern legal writing often prefers phrases like "see generally" to convey a similar idea, guiding the reader to a broader discussion within a source rather than a specific page number.

• Example 1: Legal Brief

  A lawyer drafting a legal brief might argue that a specific legal principle has been consistently applied by courts in their jurisdiction. Instead of listing dozens of individual case citations with page numbers, they might write: "The principle that ambiguities in a contract are construed against the drafter is extensively discussed in Corbin on Contracts, passim."

  Explanation: This usage tells the court that the authoritative legal treatise, Corbin on Contracts, doesn't just mention this principle on one page; rather, it is a recurring theme or discussion found throughout various sections of the entire work, reinforcing its importance and widespread acceptance in contract law.

• Example 2: Academic Research Paper

  A historian writing a research paper on the influence of ancient Greek philosophy on Enlightenment thinkers might reference a comprehensive book on Enlightenment philosophy. They could state: "The recurring theme of individual liberty, rooted in classical thought, is explored in John Smith's 'The Age of Reason,' passim."

  Explanation: Here, passim indicates that the concept of individual liberty, as influenced by classical thought, is not limited to a single chapter or section in Smith's book but is a thread woven throughout various parts of the text, demonstrating its pervasive importance to the author's analysis.

• Example 3: Policy Analysis Report

  A policy analyst summarizing a lengthy government report on the impacts of climate change might want to highlight that the report consistently emphasizes the economic costs of inaction. They could write: "The economic ramifications of climate change inaction are a central concern articulated in the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report, passim."

  Explanation: This means that the IPCC report doesn't just have one dedicated section on economic costs; instead, the discussion of economic impacts is scattered throughout the report, appearing in multiple chapters and sections, underscoring its significance to the overall findings and recommendations.