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Law vocabulary · Latin Legal Terms

Bona fide

Meaning in law, with examples

/ˌbəʊnə ˈfaɪdi/adjectiveCommon term

In law, bona fide means: Real and honest, or acting in good faith without any intention to deceive; from the Latin for 'in good faith'.

In Turkish: iyi niyetli, gerçek, hakiki

How it is used

Common phrases: 'bona fide purchaser' (someone who buys without knowing of a problem with the seller's title), 'bona fide offer', 'bona fide dispute'. The related noun 'bona fides' means a person's honesty or genuine status: 'check their bona fides'.

Example sentences

  1. A bona fide purchaser who paid a fair price may be protected even if the seller had no right to sell.

  2. We need to confirm that this is a bona fide offer before advising the board.

Common collocations

  • bona fide purchaser
  • bona fide offer
  • bona fide dispute
  • check someone's bona fides
  • prima facieBased on what is first seen or known, before closer examination; in law, enough to support a claim unless the other side proves otherwise.
  • de factoExisting in reality or in practice, even if not officially established by law; the opposite of 'de jure', which means 'by law'.
  • contractAn agreement between two or more parties that the law will enforce, setting out what each side must do or give.
  • pro bonoDone by a lawyer without charging a fee, usually to help people or organisations that cannot afford legal services; from the Latin for 'for the public good'.

More terms: Latin Legal Terms

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not legal advice.