Legal Definitions - Q.V.

Q.V. is an abbreviation for the Latin phrase quod vide, which directly translates to "which see" or "refer to." It is used in formal writing, such as legal documents, academic papers, or scholarly articles, to direct a reader to another specific place within the same document or to another referenced work for more information or a fuller discussion of a particular point.

Essentially, when you encounter "q.v." next to a term or concept, it serves as a concise instruction to look elsewhere for further details, clarification, or a related discussion, allowing the author to avoid repeating information.

• Example 1: A Legal Brief

  In a legal brief arguing a case of negligence, a lawyer might write: "The defendant's duty of care is established by precedent (q.v. Smith v. Jones, 2018, for a detailed analysis of similar circumstances)."

  Explanation: Here, "q.v." directs the reader (e.g., a judge or opposing counsel) to a specific legal case, Smith v. Jones, from 2018, where they can find a comprehensive discussion of how the duty of care was applied in similar situations. This allows the brief to maintain focus while providing a clear path to supporting legal authority.

• Example 2: A Government Report

  A government report on public health initiatives might state: "The funding allocated for mental health services has increased significantly (q.v. Table 3.1 for budget breakdowns by region)."

  Explanation: In this context, "q.v." instructs the reader to turn to Table 3.1 within the same report to see the specific financial details and regional distribution of the increased funding. It helps to keep the narrative text clear and concise while ensuring all supporting data is easily locatable.

• Example 3: An Academic Textbook

  An economics textbook discussing market failures might include a sentence like: "Externalities represent a common form of market failure (q.v. Chapter 7 for a full treatment of environmental impacts)."

  Explanation: This use of "q.v." tells the student or reader that if they want a more in-depth explanation specifically about environmental impacts as externalities, they should refer to Chapter 7 of the same textbook. It helps organize complex information and guides the reader to more specialized content.