Legal Definitions - vidimus

The term vidimus refers to a formal process of inspecting and verifying documents, often resulting in an official summary or an attested (certified) copy.

It encompasses several related meanings:

• An official inspection or examination of documents to confirm their authenticity or content.
• A summary, abstract, or syllabus created after such an inspection, highlighting key information.
• An attested or certified copy of a document, confirmed to be a true reproduction of the original after a careful review.

Here are some examples illustrating the application of vidimus:

• Example 1: Inspection for Authenticity
  A university's special collections library acquires a collection of historical letters purportedly written by a famous author. Before cataloging them and making them available to researchers, the head archivist conducts a thorough vidimus. This involves meticulously examining the paper, ink, handwriting, and postmarks of each letter, comparing them against known authentic samples, and consulting with forensic document examiners to confirm their genuine nature.

  This illustrates vidimus as an inspection of documents to verify their authenticity and historical accuracy.

• Example 2: Creating a Summary for Review
  In a complex corporate litigation case, the legal team has amassed thousands of pages of discovery documents, including emails, contracts, and financial records. To prepare for a crucial court hearing, a paralegal is tasked with creating a concise overview of the most relevant contractual agreements and communications. The paralegal performs a vidimus by carefully reviewing these key documents and then compiling a detailed abstract that highlights critical clauses, dates, and parties involved for the lead attorney.

  Here, vidimus refers to the process of inspecting documents to create a summary or abstract of their essential content.

• Example 3: Attesting a Copy for Official Use
  A property owner needs to submit a certified copy of their original property deed to the local planning department as part of an application for a building permit. The planning department requires that the copy be officially attested. A public notary performs a vidimus by comparing the photocopy against the original deed, confirming that every detail, including signatures and seals, is identical. Once satisfied, the notary then affixes their seal and signature to the copy, thereby creating an attested copy that confirms its accuracy to the original document.

  This example demonstrates vidimus as the act of inspecting a copy against an original to attest to its truthfulness, creating a certified copy.