Simple English definitions for legal terms
Read a random definition: adhesionary contract
Term: rei interventus
Definition: Rei interventus means when one party in a contract has done some of the things they agreed to do, and the other party can't back out of the contract without breaking it. It's like when you promise to do something for someone, and they start doing something for you in return, so you can't just change your mind and leave them hanging.
Related term: reimbursement
Definition: Reimbursement means getting paid back for something you spent money on or were owed. It's like when you lend your friend some money, and they pay you back later.
Rei interventus
Rei interventus means "things intervening" in Latin. It refers to actions or efforts made by one party in a contract with the other party's consent. This results in partial performance by one party, and the other party cannot back out of the contract without breaking it.
Imagine you hire a contractor to build a deck on your house. The contractor starts building the deck, but then you change your mind and decide you don't want it anymore. Because the contractor has already started building, you cannot back out of the contract without breaking it. This is an example of rei interventus.
Another example is if you hire a musician to play at your wedding. The musician shows up and starts playing, but then you decide you don't like the music and want to cancel the contract. Because the musician has already started performing, you cannot cancel the contract without breaking it. This is also an example of rei interventus.
These examples illustrate how rei interventus works in a contract. Once one party has started performing, the other party cannot back out without breaking the contract. This protects both parties and ensures that contracts are fulfilled as agreed upon.