Legal Definitions - relatrix

The term relatrix is an archaic legal term that refers to a female relator.

A relator is an individual who brings a legal action or lawsuit on behalf of the government or another party, particularly when the government has a primary interest in the matter but is not directly initiating the suit. The relator acts as an informant or initiator for the state's interest. The use of "relatrix" specifically designated that this individual was female, a distinction that is no longer common in modern legal terminology, which typically uses the gender-neutral term "relator" for all individuals.

• Example 1: Whistleblower Action (Historical Context)

  In the early 20th century, a woman named Eleanor discovered that a company was systematically defrauding the state government on a construction contract. She decided to bring a lawsuit under a statute that allowed private citizens to sue on behalf of the state to recover the stolen funds. In legal documents of that era, Eleanor would have been referred to as the relatrix in the case, as she was the female individual initiating the action for the benefit of the state.

• Example 2: Compelling Official Duty

  Imagine a scenario in the late 19th century where a local official refused to release public records to a citizen, despite a clear legal obligation to do so. A woman, Mrs. Davies, sought a writ of mandamus from the court to compel the official to perform his duty. Because she was the female party initiating this action to enforce a public right or duty on behalf of the state or the public interest, she would have been formally designated as the relatrix in the court's proceedings.