Legal Definitions - quod vide

Quod vide is a Latin phrase that translates to "which see." It is a directive used in written texts, particularly legal documents, academic papers, and reference works, to instruct the reader to consult another specified place for further information, a more complete discussion, or a related definition. It serves as a cross-reference, guiding the reader to additional relevant material. This phrase is commonly abbreviated as "q.v." or "Q.V." and carries the same meaning.

Here are some examples illustrating its use:

• Example 1: Legal Brief

  Imagine a lawyer drafting a legal brief that discusses a complex point about the enforceability of a contract. In one section, they might briefly mention the concept of "promissory estoppel" but want to elaborate on it elsewhere to maintain flow. They could write: "While the primary focus here is on express contractual terms, for a detailed analysis of equitable doctrines that may enforce promises lacking formal consideration, quod vide Section IV, 'Equitable Enforcement of Promises'."

  Explanation: In this scenario, "quod vide Section IV, 'Equitable Enforcement of Promises'" directs the reader (such as a judge or opposing counsel) to turn to Section IV of the same legal brief for a comprehensive explanation of promissory estoppel and other related equitable principles.

• Example 2: Legal Dictionary or Glossary

  Consider a legal dictionary entry for a specific term like "mens rea." The entry might provide a concise definition but then direct the reader to a related, broader concept. "Mens Rea: The mental state required for a crime to be committed; often translated as 'guilty mind.' For a broader discussion of criminal intent and its various forms, q.v. 'Criminal Intent'."

  Explanation: Here, "q.v. 'Criminal Intent'" instructs the reader to look up the term "Criminal Intent" within the same dictionary or glossary for more extensive information on the general category of mental states relevant to criminal law, of which "mens rea" is a specific aspect.

• Example 3: Academic Legal Article

  An academic article discussing the impact of artificial intelligence on intellectual property law might briefly touch upon ethical considerations. If the author has a separate, more in-depth publication on the ethics of AI, they might write: "While this article primarily examines the patentability of AI-generated inventions, readers interested in the broader ethical implications of AI development should consult our prior work on algorithmic bias and accountability, quod vide Chen & Lee, 'AI Ethics in the Digital Age' (2022)."

  Explanation: In this context, "quod vide Chen & Lee, 'AI Ethics in the Digital Age' (2022)" directs the reader to a specific external academic publication by the same or different authors, indicating where they can find a comprehensive treatment of the ethical aspects of AI, which is beyond the scope of the current article.