Legal Definitions - patiens

Patiens refers to the individual or entity that is the passive recipient of an action or event, rather than the one initiating it. This party experiences or permits something to happen to them, often in contrast to an "agens," who is the active party.

• Example 1: Imagine a homeowner who hires a landscaping company to redesign their garden. The homeowner is the patiens in this scenario. They are the one permitting the work to be done on their property and receiving the service, while the landscaping company is the active party (the "agens") performing the work.

• Example 2: Consider a situation where a pedestrian is struck and injured by a car driven by a negligent driver. The pedestrian is the patiens. They are the one suffering the injury and are the passive recipient of the driver's actions, whereas the driver is the active party (the "agens") whose actions caused the harm.

• Example 3: In a business transaction, if a client receives consulting services from an expert firm, the client is the patiens. They are the party allowing the firm to provide advice and expertise, and they are the recipient of those services. The consulting firm, in turn, acts as the "agens" by delivering the services.