Legal Definitions - statim

Statim is a historical legal term derived from Latin, meaning immediately or without delay. In legal contexts, it signified that an action or obligation had to be completed at the earliest possible moment when it could be lawfully and properly carried out.

Here are some examples illustrating the application of statim:

• Imagine a historical court ruling where a judge ordered a party to pay a fine statim. This meant the fine was due for payment immediately, as soon as the necessary administrative processes for its collection could be lawfully initiated and completed, rather than allowing for a grace period or extended delay.

  This illustrates statim because it emphasizes the requirement for prompt action, but only within the bounds of what is legally and practically feasible at the earliest opportunity.

• Consider an ancient charter granting rights to a town, which might have stipulated that a new market could be established statim upon the king's approval. This implied that the town council could proceed with setting up the market without any further waiting period, as soon as the royal decree was officially issued and all preliminary legal requirements for construction and operation were met.

  Here, statim highlights that the action should commence at the very first moment it becomes legally permissible and practical, following the specified condition.

• In a historical legal document concerning the transfer of property, a clause might have stated that the new owner was entitled to possession of the land statim after the deed was signed. This meant the previous owner was obligated to vacate and hand over the property immediately upon the lawful completion of the sale, without any unwarranted postponement.

  This example demonstrates statim by showing an obligation to act without delay once the preceding legal condition (signing the deed) has been fulfilled, ensuring the earliest lawful transfer of control.