Legal Definitions - verus

Verus (Latin for "true," "truthful," "genuine," or "actual") refers to something that is authentic, factual, or corresponds to reality. In legal contexts, it emphasizes the genuine nature or accuracy of a statement, document, or claim.

• Example 1: Witness Testimony

  During a criminal trial, a key witness is sworn in and asked to provide verus testimony regarding the events they observed. This means the witness is expected to recount the facts precisely as they genuinely occurred, without any fabrication, exaggeration, or omission. The court relies on such truthful accounts to establish the actual circumstances of the case.

• Example 2: Document Authenticity

  A real estate attorney presents a deed in court, asserting that it is a verus copy of the original document filed with the county recorder's office. In this instance, "verus" confirms that the presented copy is an authentic and accurate reproduction of the original legal instrument, meaning it has not been altered or falsified and genuinely reflects the content and legal effect of the original deed.

• Example 3: Identification of Ownership

  Following a dispute over intellectual property rights, a judge rules that a particular inventor is the verus creator of a patented device. Here, "verus" indicates that the inventor is the actual and rightful originator of the invention, possessing the genuine claim to its creation and the associated legal protections, as opposed to any other party falsely claiming authorship.