Legal Definitions - sedato animo

sedato animo

The Latin term sedato animo refers to acting with a clear, deliberate, and established intention or purpose. It signifies that an action was not impulsive, accidental, or done without thought, but rather was the result of a considered and settled decision.

• Example 1: Business Strategy

  A technology company's executive team spends a year researching market trends, developing prototypes, and securing funding before launching a new product line. This extensive preparation culminates in a formal board resolution to proceed with the launch.

  Explanation: The company's decision to launch the new product line demonstrates sedato animo because it was not an impromptu choice. Instead, it was the outcome of a prolonged period of strategic planning, research, and deliberate decision-making, reflecting a clear and settled purpose to enter a new market segment.

• Example 2: Estate Planning

  An individual consults with an attorney over several months to draft a comprehensive will and trust document. They carefully specify which assets go to which beneficiaries, establish conditions for inheritance, and appoint guardians for their children, revising the document multiple times before finalization.

  Explanation: The meticulous process of creating such a detailed estate plan illustrates sedato animo. The individual acted with a clear, settled purpose regarding the distribution of their assets and the care of their dependents, ensuring their wishes were precisely documented and not left to chance.

• Example 3: Contract Negotiation

  Two businesses engage in several rounds of negotiation, exchanging multiple drafts of a contract, consulting their legal teams, and making numerous revisions over a period of weeks before finally signing a complex partnership agreement.

  Explanation: The signing of the partnership agreement, after extensive back-and-forth and careful review, is an act performed sedato animo. Both parties entered into the agreement with a clear, settled purpose, having thoroughly considered all terms and implications rather than making a hasty commitment.