Legal Definitions - quoad hoc

Quoad hoc is a Latin phrase meaning "as to this," "with respect to this," or "so far as this is concerned." It is used in legal contexts to indicate that a ruling, decision, or principle applies only to a specific part or aspect of a larger matter, rather than to the entire issue.

Here are some examples to illustrate this concept:

• Court Rulings: Imagine a lawsuit where a plaintiff sues a defendant for both breach of contract and negligence. The trial court rules in favor of the plaintiff on both claims. If the defendant appeals, a higher court might review the decision. The appellate court could state that it affirms the lower court's judgment quoad hoc (as to the breach of contract claim), finding that part of the decision to be correct. However, it might reverse the judgment quoad hoc (as to the negligence claim), concluding that the lower court made an error on that specific point. This demonstrates how the higher court's decision applies differently to distinct parts of the original case.

• Contractual Validity: Consider a complex business contract containing numerous clauses, including a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) and a non-compete clause. If a dispute arises and the contract is challenged in court, a judge might rule that the contract is generally valid and enforceable. However, the judge might also determine that the non-compete clause is overly broad and therefore unenforceable quoad hoc (as it pertains to its geographical scope or duration). In this scenario, the rest of the contract remains in effect, but the specific, problematic part of the non-compete clause is deemed invalid.

• Legislative Challenges: Suppose a state legislature passes a new law that includes several provisions related to environmental protection. An advocacy group might challenge the entire law, arguing it is unconstitutional. A court could review the law and find that, while most of its provisions are constitutional and serve a legitimate public interest, one specific section imposes an undue burden on certain small businesses. The court might then declare that particular section unconstitutional quoad hoc (as it applies to those specific businesses), while allowing the remainder of the environmental law to stand. This shows how a legal challenge can succeed only with respect to a particular aspect of a broader piece of legislation.