Legal Definitions - privatum

The term privatum is Latin for private. In a legal context, it refers to matters, rights, or property that pertain to individuals or specific groups, distinguishing them from those that belong to the public or the state.

Here are some examples illustrating the concept of privatum:

• Private Property: Imagine a family's home and the land it sits on. This property is considered privatum because it is owned by specific individuals, not by the government or the general public. The owners have exclusive rights to use, enjoy, and control access to their home and land, subject to certain legal limitations like zoning laws. This contrasts with public property, such as a city park or a public road, which is accessible for general use.

• Private Contract: Consider a confidentiality agreement signed between two businesses. This agreement is privatum because it is a specific arrangement made between private entities, outlining their mutual obligations regarding sensitive information. Its terms bind only the parties involved and are not a general law applicable to everyone. This differs from public law, which governs the relationship between individuals and the state or among different states.

• Private Information: An individual's personal financial records, such as bank statements or tax returns, are examples of privatum information. These details are considered private because they pertain exclusively to an individual's personal financial affairs and are protected by law from unauthorized public disclosure. Access to such information is restricted to the individual and authorized parties, unlike public records which are generally available for public inspection.