Legal Definitions - suo nomine

Suo nomine is a Latin legal term that translates to "in one's own name." It describes a situation where an individual acts directly and personally, rather than through a representative, an agent, or on behalf of an organization or another person.

• Example 1: An Individual Filing a Lawsuit

  Suppose Maria believes her landlord illegally withheld her security deposit. She decides to file a small claims court case herself, listing "Maria Rodriguez" as the plaintiff, not "Maria Rodriguez, acting as agent for Rodriguez Family Trust."

  This illustrates acting suo nomine because Maria is initiating the legal action directly in her personal capacity, using her own name and for her own benefit, rather than representing a business entity or another party.

• Example 2: Signing a Personal Loan Agreement

  When David applies for a personal loan to renovate his home, he signs the loan agreement as "David Chen." He does not sign it as "David Chen, President of Chen Construction Co."

  Here, David is acting suo nomine because he is personally obligating himself to repay the loan. He is entering the contract as an individual, not as a representative binding a company or any other entity.

• Example 3: A Public Statement by an Employee

  A software engineer, Ms. Anya Sharma, publishes an article online expressing her personal views on a new technology trend. She includes a disclaimer stating that her opinions are her own and do not represent those of her employer, effectively publishing suo nomine.

  This demonstrates suo nomine because Ms. Sharma is making a public statement solely in her individual capacity. She is speaking for herself, in her own name, and not as an official spokesperson or representative of the company she works for.