Latin quote · Law
De lege lata
“Concerning the law as it stands.”
Legal Latin term
Translation
What does “De lege lata” mean?
De lege lata translates as “Concerning the law as it stands.”
Describes the law currently in force, as opposed to what it should become. It keeps analysis of existing rules separate from wishes for reform.
Origin
The story behind it
A standard term of continental legal scholarship, the counterpart of de lege ferenda.
When to use it
How to use “De lege lata”
Belongs in a legal memo that separates current law from reform proposals.
- Latin
- De lege lata
- English
- Concerning the law as it stands.
- Source
- Legal Latin term
- Era
- Legal Latin
- Theme
- Law
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