Legal Definitions - sub rosa

Sub rosa describes something that is done or kept in secret, confidentially, or without public knowledge. It refers to actions, discussions, or agreements that are intended to remain private and not be disclosed openly.

• Example 1: A major pharmaceutical company was in advanced negotiations to acquire a smaller biotech startup. The discussions about the acquisition terms, financial details, and future plans were conducted sub rosa for several months.

  Explanation: The companies kept their talks confidential to prevent market speculation, avoid alerting competitors, and ensure that employees of both firms were not prematurely alarmed or distracted. The entire process remained secret until a definitive agreement was reached and a joint public announcement was made.

• Example 2: Before a significant international climate summit, several key nations held a series of preliminary meetings to establish common ground and draft potential agreements. These preparatory discussions occurred sub rosa.

  Explanation: By holding these meetings confidentially, the diplomatic teams could engage in more candid and flexible negotiations without the immediate pressure of public opinion or media scrutiny. This allowed them to explore various compromises and build consensus privately before presenting a unified front or official proposals at the public summit.

• Example 3: A university's board of trustees formed a special committee to investigate allegations of financial mismanagement within a specific department. The committee's entire investigation, including interviews and evidence review, was conducted sub rosa.

  Explanation: The investigation was kept secret to protect the privacy of individuals involved, prevent potential tampering with evidence, and avoid creating undue panic or reputational damage to the department or university before the facts were fully established. Only after the committee concluded its findings and presented them to the full board was any information publicly released.