Legal Definitions - uterque nostrum

Uterque Nostrum

This Latin phrase translates to "each of us" or "both of us," specifically referring to a situation involving two parties where a statement, obligation, or right applies individually to each of those two parties, rather than to them as a collective whole. It emphasizes separate accountability or distinct roles for each person within a pair.

• Example 1: Business Partnership Agreement

  Imagine two co-founders of a new technology company. Their operating agreement includes a clause stating that "uterque nostrum is responsible for maintaining their respective professional licenses."

  This illustrates uterque nostrum because it means that each of the two co-founders individually bears the responsibility for keeping their own professional licenses current. If one founder's license lapses, it is their individual failure, not a collective failure of the partnership, and the consequences would apply specifically to that individual.

• Example 2: Real Estate Co-ownership

  Consider a deed for a shared vacation property owned by two siblings. A specific covenant in the deed states that "uterque nostrum shall contribute equally to the annual property taxes and insurance premiums."

  Here, uterque nostrum clarifies that each sibling is individually obligated to pay their half of the property taxes and insurance. The local tax authority or insurance company can pursue either sibling for their specific portion if it's unpaid, highlighting their distinct financial responsibilities rather than a single, joint debt for which either could be held entirely liable.

• Example 3: Legal Settlement Agreement

  In a mediation between two neighbors regarding the upkeep of a shared fence, the final written settlement agreement specifies that "uterque nostrum shall be responsible for arranging and paying for repairs to their respective side of the fence."

  This use of uterque nostrum means that Neighbor A is individually obligated to manage and pay for repairs to their half of the fence, and Neighbor B is individually obligated for their half. Neither neighbor can demand that the other pay for the entire repair, as the agreement clearly assigns distinct duties to eachparty.