Legal Definitions - Vidi scivi et audivi

Vidi scivi et audivi is a Latin phrase that translates to "I saw, knew, and heard."

This phrase historically represented a formal declaration by an individual, often a notary, asserting that they had direct, first-hand sensory experience of an event. It signifies that the person was personally present, observed the actions (saw), listened to the spoken words (heard), and consequently gained a complete understanding and verification of the facts (knew). It emphasizes direct personal knowledge derived from being an eyewitness to an occurrence.

Here are some examples to illustrate this concept:

• Imagine a courtroom witness testifying about a car accident. The witness states, "I was standing at the corner, and I vidi scivi et audivi the entire collision." This means they personally saw the vehicles collide, heard the screech of tires and the impact, and therefore knew exactly what happened from their direct observation. Their testimony carries weight because it comes from a first-hand account, not hearsay.

• Consider a quality control inspector at a manufacturing plant. After a critical production run, the inspector might report that they vidi scivi et audivi the final product testing. This implies they were physically present on the factory floor, saw the technicians perform each test, heard the readings and confirmations, and thereby knew that the products met the required standards. This direct involvement ensures the integrity of the quality assessment.

• Think of a historical researcher examining ancient documents. If a historian claims to have vidi scivi et audivi the discovery of a significant artifact, it means they were present when the artifact was unearthed, saw it being carefully excavated, heard the initial pronouncements and discussions among the archaeologists, and thus gained direct, immediate knowledge of its context and importance. This personal experience adds a layer of authenticity to their subsequent research and writings about the find.