Legal Definitions - vide

Vide is a Latin term meaning "see." In legal and academic writing, it serves as a citation signal, directing the reader to another part of the text or to a different source for further information or context.

It is often encountered in its abbreviated form, q.v., which stands for quod vide, meaning "which see." This abbreviation is typically used to cross-reference another entry or section within the same publication.

More specifically, vide ante or vide supra instructs the reader to "see above" or a previous passage within the current document. Conversely, vide post or vide infra directs them to "see below" or a later passage within the same document.

Examples:

• Legal Brief Reference: In a comprehensive legal brief submitted to a court, an attorney might be discussing a particular point of law. After summarizing a key argument, they could add, "For a detailed analysis of the appellate court's reasoning on this matter, vide supra, Section III.B."

  Explanation: This usage of vide supra tells the reader (in this case, the judge or opposing counsel) to look at Section III.B, located earlier in the same brief, for a more in-depth explanation of the appellate court's decision.

• Legal Dictionary Cross-Reference: When consulting a legal dictionary or encyclopedia, you might look up a term like "hearsay." The entry could conclude with a note such as, "For related evidentiary rules, vide 'Rule Against Perpetuities' q.v."

  Explanation: Here, q.v. (quod vide) instructs you to "see" the separate entry for "Rule Against Perpetuities" within the same dictionary or encyclopedia, indicating that it contains relevant or related information that might enhance your understanding of hearsay in certain contexts.

• Judicial Opinion Guidance: A judge writing a complex court opinion might need to refer back to a procedural history already detailed within the same document. They could state, "The defendant's argument regarding the statute of limitations was previously addressed and dismissed (vide ante, Part II, subsection A)."

  Explanation: By using vide ante, the judge directs anyone reading the opinion to a specific earlier part of that very document (Part II, subsection A) where the statute of limitations argument was initially discussed and ruled upon, avoiding the need to repeat the full explanation.