Audi alteram partem
“Hear the other side.”
Legal maxim
What does “Audi alteram partem” mean?
Audi alteram partem translates as “Hear the other side.”
No one should be judged without a fair hearing. It is a pillar of natural justice.
“Audi alteram partem” word by word
| Latin | English | Grammar |
|---|---|---|
| Audi | hear! | a command (imperative) of audio, “to hear, listen”; addressed to one person. To a group: audite |
| alteram | the other | feminine singular accusative (direct object) of alter, “the other (of two)”, agreeing with partem |
| partem | side, party | feminine singular accusative (direct object) of pars, “part, side, party” |
How to pronounce “Audi alteram partem”
Both pronunciations sound the same here. Stress the first syllable of audi, the first of alteram and the first of partem. The au in audi is pronounced like “ow” in “cow”.
The story behind it
Word for word the maxim says “hear the other side”, in the sense of “listen to the other party as well”. In Latin, alter means “the other of two”, so the phrase assumes a dispute with two sides, such as a plaintiff and a defendant.
It is a legal maxim, not a line from one named author, and the exact wording is a later formulation. The principle behind it is much older and is well attested in Roman legal thought and in ancient ideas of a fair hearing.
Over the centuries it became a cornerstone of what lawyers call natural justice: a decision made without hearing the person affected is open to challenge. Today it is quoted in courts and tribunals, and also in journalism, mediation and everyday arguments about fairness.
How to use “Audi alteram partem”
A fitting motto for a courtroom, law school, newsroom or mediation office, or as a quote in an essay on fair trials, free speech or media balance. It also works as a personal reminder to listen before you judge.
- Latin
- Audi alteram partem
- English
- Hear the other side.
- Source
- Legal maxim
- Era
- Legal Latin
- Theme
- Justice
Common mistakes
- Alteram is feminine because it agrees with partem. Do not change it to alterum or alter unless you also change the noun.
- It is often written as the longer “Audi alteram partem et ne condemnes”-style variants or mixed up with similar maxims; the standard short form is just the three words.
- It means giving someone a fair hearing, not agreeing with them. Hearing the other side does not oblige you to accept it.
- Speaking to several people? The plural command is audite alteram partem.
Questions about “Audi alteram partem”
What does “Audi alteram partem” mean literally?
“Hear the other side”. Audi is a command to listen, alteram means “the other (of two)”, and partem means “side” or “party”.
Who said “Audi alteram partem”?
It is a legal maxim, not a quotation from one known author. The principle is ancient and is found in Roman and later legal thinking, but the exact three-word wording cannot be tied to one speaker.
How do you pronounce “Audi alteram partem”?
In Classical Latin: OW-dee AL-teh-rahm PAR-tem. The Church pronunciation sounds the same for this phrase.
Why is “Audi alteram partem” important in law?
It expresses the rule that nobody should be judged without a fair chance to respond. It is a basic part of natural justice and the idea of a fair trial.
More to explore
Translation and grammar checked by Latin Quoter · last reviewed November 2026
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