Saturday, June 21, 2014

The Secret Language of Lawyers

         All professions, be doctors, lawyers or baristas, have a secret language or code, which serves to both assist the profession by providing shortcuts for immediate explanations, but also to act as a barrier to entrance and to make the profession appear more important and above the normal person.  Lawyers are especially not immune to that view and the secret language of lawyers is a mixture of Latin, Old French and Old English.  While law schools these days try and teach “Plain English for Lawyers,” all new initiates seek to model their behavior like their peers, so the strange words continue to be used.  Here are some of the most popular still used by lawyers in the real estate world.

          Lis Pendens:   A Latin phrase for notice of a pending suit.  Whenever an action involving real property is filed, a Lis Pendens must also be filed to notify all parties that an action involving a specific property has been commenced.  Unlike pleadings, the Lis Pendens is also recorded in the public records and allows the lawsuit to have priority over subsequently filed liens, mortgages or other land interests (assuming the party that filed the Lis Pendens prevails).

          Ab Initio:  A Latin phrase that means from the start or beginning.  Useful for conveying, at a later date, that an obligation was meant to commence or was invalid at a certain point.  For example, a defective contract (missing a signature or key element) is often said to be void ab initio.

          Caveat Emptor:  A very popular Latin phrase for Buyer Beware.  In residential transaction, the Florida Supreme Court has held it no longer applies (imposing a duty on seller’s to disclose material information that affects the value of the house), it still is prevalent in commercial transactions, as well as many contractual arrangements (as they say, always read and understand the fine print, or get a lawyer).

          Allonge:     An Old French law term that means to draw out.  In common terms it is the endorsement on a negotiable instrument, such as a promissory note or a check (yes, when you sign your name on the back of a check you are creating an allonge in blank in favor of the bank which is cashing or depositing the check.  The phrase “Pay to the Order of XXX” is a classic example of an Allonge.

          Tenements, Hereditaments and Appurtenances, oh my: Latin phrases used in deeds to convey the bundle of rights in real property. Tenements grant the right to hold the land (as opposed to own, which is reserved for the King); Hereditaments grants the right of inheritance, used so that the land conveyed goes to the buyer and their heirs; and Appurtenances are the improvements and fixtures attached to the land.  An example is from a quit claim deed as follows: “TOGETHER with all the tenements, hereditaments and appurtenances thereto belonging or in anywise appertaining and all the estate, right, title, interest, lien, equity, and claim whatsoever of said Grantor, either in law or in equity, to only the proper use, benefit and behoof of said Grantee, his heirs, successors and assigns forever.”

          et al.: A Latin abbreviation for et alii, it simply means “and others” and is used as a useful shortcut to avoid having to list all parties to an action or contract. 

          Chattel:  Not to be confused with cattle (which are a form of chattel), it is an Old French Law term meaning personal property.  Mostly archaic, occasionally still used to describe personal property or car loans such as a Chattel Mortgage.

          Ultra Vires:  A Latin phrase meaning “beyond power,” it commonly comes up in disputes over corporate or substitute party actions as whether the act of the corporate officer or attorney-in-fact was beyond their legal authority.  Ultra vires actions are unenforceable.  In real estate, the use of powers of attorney are often subject to ultra vires attack, when actions are taken (sale or pledge of property) and the original owner contends that they did not grant that power to the attorney-in-fact.

          Hypothecation:  A Latin phrase to pledge collateral.  A mortgage on real property or chattel is a hypothecation.  In Spanish, the word for mortgage is hipoteca, derived from this Latin word.
         
          Fee Simple:  Derived from the Latin term fief, was a feudal right granted by a king or lord to allow use of lands in exchange for allegiance (which evolved into paying taxes).  Eventually came to mean the right to own, mortgage, sell and devise land without a higher authority claiming an ownership interest.  Most property interests today are conveyed in fee simple.

          Knowing a few Latin phrases can make you a hit at your next cocktail party.  Just remember in vino veritas (in wine, truth) before you claim to be an expert in Latin.  There are lawyers everywhere ready to out Latin the layman.

Michael J Posner, Esq., is a partner in Ward Damon a mid-sized real estate and business oriented law firm serving all of South Florida, with offices in Palm Beach County.  He is Board Certified in Real Estate Law and can assist sellers, buyers and community associations in all real estate matters.  He can be reached at 561.594.1452, or at mjposner@warddamon.com

22 comments:

  1. Thank you for the post. I am glad I understand the attorney language a little better now. It will help if I ever have to hire an attorney in the future.

    Emily Marshall | Ianniello Anderson, P.C.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I have always heard the word Ab Initio, but have never understood what it really meant. It really makes those papers that I've read from my real estate attorney make a lot more sense. It would be fun to start using these words in my every day language. http://www.brandtlawgroup.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. I knew that lawyers in particular still used Latin phrases, but I didn't know that some in the profession considered it outdated. Using English would make it easier to understand, I think. But every job has their short cuts to make things easier in the business. http://www.lisnowlaw.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. Angela, almost all law schools teach a course called Simple or Plain English for Lawyers using a book like this: http://www.amazon.com/Plain-English-Lawyers-Richard-Wydick/dp/1594601518. The goal is to get away from archaic writing including using latin and old french phrases, plus wheretofore, heretofore, hereinafter, party of the first part, witnesseth, etc. Well guess what? It won't work because all professions need to feel special and using this language separates lawyers so they will continue to use these words (and I do to :) ) because their mentors did and it allows us to communicate effectively with other lawyers.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I've always wondered what some of these terms meant. My dad is a real estate lawyer. I've heard him used some of these terms before, but I've never understood what they mean. Now I know what my husband is talking about when he talks about things like fee simple and hypothecation in his business calls.
    Deanna R. Jones | http://www.houselawyerny.com/about_me.html

    ReplyDelete
  6. That’s very informative but I’m sure I could never out Latin a lawyer considering he uses all these phrases. I have to admit that I only knew just a few from the list.
    legal practices for sale

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thank you! It's so nice to find a site that tries to explain lawyer jargon in plain English. I appreciate the effort a lot. Is it odd that I knew some of these phrases from playing the violin? Latin always comes back to help!

    Jenn | https://siclosings.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. Dude.. I am not much into reading, but somehow I got to read lots of articles on your blog. Its amazing how interesting it is for me to visit you very often. -
    Realtor Websites

    ReplyDelete
  9. It is funny- I am very used to this type of language since my father was a lawyer. He would teach us these types of words because we thought they sounded so cool when he said them. I forget, though, that many people don't know the phrases like "subpoena" or "ab initio". Thanks for sharing this- it brings back a lot of good memories for me!

    Seth Ashford | http://bpelaw.com/real-estate/

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thank you for explaining these legal terms! I have been looking for a real estate lawyer in my area to help me buy a new house. I would like to be able to understand what my lawyer is saying, and I think this post will help me. http://www.gormlaw.com/practice-areas/commercial-real-estate/

    ReplyDelete
  11. I watch a lot of courtroom dramas on TV, so I thought I was really well-versed in legal lingo. This article proved me really wrong, though. Thank you for sharing these super useful terms! This could really come in handy next time I move and I have to hire a real estate lawyer.
    --------------
    http://www.kasman.com/real_estate_law.html

    ReplyDelete
  12. I actually found this blog and that is amazing thing I enjoy reading this easy to understand stuff. Keep it up. Swan City Homes

    ReplyDelete
  13. Orlando Florida DUI Defense Lawyer
    Keep on good working guys; you have done the great job!

    ReplyDelete
  14. This blog is absolutely useful; I love the piece of informative writing.
    Lake Tahoe Probate Lawyer - Tyler Fair, Esq

    ReplyDelete
  15. Smart post buddy! I will make the most of this information and spread it amongst my friends too!
    https://www.wepaythemost.co.uk/faqs.php

    ReplyDelete
  16. Good article, your all provided information is all right, keep your blogs on- Greets.
    real estate fort pierce

    ReplyDelete
  17. Definitely, what an outstanding website full of informative posts, I will surely bookmark this site. Criminal Attorney DC

    ReplyDelete
  18. An enormous round of applause, continue the great work. click here now

    ReplyDelete

  19. Really amazing blog, I’d love to discover some extra information.
    Generic and brand please

    ReplyDelete
  20. This post is really valuable that designed for the new visitors. Pleasing work, keep on writing.
    Poway homes for sale

    ReplyDelete