Legal Definitions - quandocunque

Quandocunque is a historical legal term derived from Latin, meaning "at any time" or "whenever." It refers to an action, right, or obligation that is not restricted to a specific moment but can occur or be exercised at any point in time.

While not commonly used in modern legal practice, understanding this term can be helpful when interpreting older legal documents, historical statutes, or ancient treaties.

• Example 1: Historical Land Grant

  Imagine a medieval charter granting a local lord the right to collect a specific toll from merchants passing through his lands. The charter might state that the lord could levy this toll "quandocunque" a merchant caravan entered his territory. This means the lord's right to collect the toll was not limited to certain days or seasons but could be exercised whenever a caravan appeared, illustrating the "at any time" aspect of the term.

• Example 2: Ancient Royal Decree

  Consider an old royal decree from the 17th century that allowed citizens of a particular town to gather firewood from a designated forest. The decree might have specified that this right could be exercised "quandocunque" they required fuel for their homes. This implies that the townspeople were not restricted to specific collection dates but could gather wood whenever the need arose, demonstrating the flexibility of "at any time."

• Example 3: Historical Treaty Obligation

  Suppose two historical kingdoms entered into a treaty where one kingdom pledged to provide military assistance to the other if it faced invasion. The treaty might have stipulated that this aid would be rendered "quandocunque" the allied kingdom was attacked. This means the obligation to provide military support was not tied to a pre-scheduled event but would be triggered and fulfilled at any time an invasion occurred.